Claw of Terror (1973)

aka Scream Bloody Murder

The title on the film says Claw of Terror, but the original title is Scream Bloody Murder, which makes a lot of sense since his claw is not used that much for terror.

As a child, Matthew ran over his dad with the tractor, and then somehow ran over his own hand.  He's put in an asylum, where he stays until he's released at 18.  His mother is not notified and he arrives home the same day she is getting remarried. So it's safe to say they aren't close.

Matthew kills his step dad with an axe, and Mom accidentally hits her head on a rock after finding Matthew with the body.  In a panic, Matthew runs away and hitches a ride with a couple.  But  he's crazy  and starts hallucinating, thinking the couple are his mom and step dad.  As you can guess, it doesn't end well.

The first time he uses his claw he destroys a painting.  Next he kills a sailor but he uses a knife.  Again, no terror from the claw.

Oh my god, this claw is terrifying!

Matthew meets Vera, a prostitute with a heart of gold.  In order to impress her, he goes to a mansion, kills it's owner and tells Vera it's his home and he wants her to move in.  When she says no, he goes nuts, and she falls down the staircase trying to escape.  He ties her to the bed, and the lack of terror from his claw is palpable.

"See what I do for you. I get groceries and clothes and art stuff and kill people."  Now that's a man who should have a restraining order.

Vera, who is kept hogtied, tries to escape by hopping out of the room.  She's the worst ever at hopping.  She's so slow - hop, pant, rest, repeat.  In the stupidest scene yet, the phone rings and Vera knocks it off the hook.  But instead of trying to tell the caller she is a prisoner and needs help, she uses the holder for the receiver to push the gag out of her mouth, which hangs up the phone. Aargh!

Angus Scrimm is a doctor who chews the scenery and is smart enough to be suspicious, but stupid enough to get killed.

Vera finally tricks Matthew and gets the door open to escape - oh no, he's waiting!  At least we finally get some terror from the claw.  Then Matthew goes into a crazy Phantom of the Opera keyboard church, scratches himself with the hook and dies.