This was one of the most successful knock-offs of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960). William Castle and Columbia had this in theaters a year after the release of "Psycho". Part of the reason for the delay was that, at the time "Psycho" went into release, Castle was still working on 13 Ghosts (1960).
The premiere was held at the Palace Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio with producer William Castle in attendance.
In the 1962 family comedy "Zotz!", also directed by William Castle, a boy and girl go to see Homicidal at a drive-in. A short clip is shown from the POV of the drive-in audience. The boy makes a wisecrack "What's she hanging' around there for? What a kook!" and is told to be quiet by his date.
The $5 room cost ,inflation adjusted, in 2023 would be $51.34.
Lead female's name is Miriam Webster. Possibly a play on the "Merriam Webster" dictionary.
William Castle: [gimmick] In the final reel, when Miriam is about to go into the house for the big climax, there was a one-minute "Fright Break" in which producer/director William Castle advised the audience that anyone too scared to see the climax could go into the lobby and get their money back. For this gimmick, Columbia shipped a cardboard "Coward's Corner" to theaters playing the film. Supposedly, audience members too frightened to see the climax could go to the "Coward's Corner" and wait there until the film ended and the rest of the audience filed past. Apparently no one took the offer.