| Errors | Missing | Unverified | Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
Richard Blaney, the main character of Frenzy, has a fairly simple and overarching goal: to clear his name after being wrongly accused of being the "Necktie Murderer," a serial killer strangling women with neckties in London. He is desperate to prove his innocence and avoid being imprisoned or worse.
The obstacles he faces are numerous and layered:
Circumstantial Evidence: Blaney is constantly plagued by damning circumstantial evidence. He loses his temper and argues with Babs Milligan shortly before she is murdered. He sells ties to a pawn shop matching the type used in the killings. Most damagingly, the potato sack used to transport Babs' body after she is murdered is found by his estranged wife in his belongings in the hotel he had been living in with her. This evidence, while misleading, paints a picture of guilt to both the police and the public.
Lack of Alibi and Unreliable Testimony: Blaney struggles to establish a solid alibi for the times of the murders. His volatile personality and history of bad luck often undermine his credibility. He can't provide a reliable witness to corroborate his whereabouts when it matters most. He also doesn't have any friends to vouch for him.
Police Suspicion: Inspector Oxford becomes fixated on Blaney as a prime suspect. Oxford is shrewd and persistent, constantly watching Blaney and interpreting his actions in the most suspicious light. Oxford is convinced of Blaney's guilt and pursues him with unrelenting focus.
Bob Rusk's Manipulation: Blaney's "friend" Bob Rusk, the actual murderer, actively frames him. He leaves the evidence behind that points to Blaney. Rusk uses Blaney's temper and desperation to his advantage, exploiting his vulnerability and naivete. Rusk is a calculating sociopath who effectively manipulates Blaney into a corner.
Flight and Fear of Apprehension: After escaping police custody, Blaney is forced to go on the run. This desperation makes him appear even more guilty. He is constantly looking over his shoulder, struggling to find a safe haven and ultimately, a way to clear his name without being caught.
His Own Temper: Blaney has a short fuse and is prone to fits of anger. His aggressive behavior, even when justified, often reinforces the perception of him as a violent man capable of murder. This is partly responsible for him losing his job and the loss of his marriage.
The AI missed the most critical piece of evidence: Bob Rusk's tie-pin, which he leaves in Babs' hand and must retrieve from the potato truck. This is the key plot device that eventually leads Oxford to the truth.
The AI claims Blaney has no friends, but Johnny Porter is a crucial secondary character who provides the only help Blaney receives while on the run.
The AI misses the famous subplot of Oxford's wife and her 'gourmet' cooking, which serves as the catalyst for Oxford's realization that Blaney is innocent.
In Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy (1972), Richard Blaney's goal is to survive his downward spiral and, subsequently, to clear his name after being framed for the 'Necktie Murders.' His obstacles include: 1) Circumstantial evidence, specifically being seen at his ex-wife Brenda's office shortly before her murder and possessing money she gave him. 2) The real killer, Bob Rusk, who is a 'friend' and actively misleads both Blaney and the police. 3) Blaney's own abrasive and violent temper, which makes him a plausible suspect to Inspector Oxford. 4) A lack of a public alibi, though he is secretly aided by his friend Johnny Porter. The AI summary incorrectly identifies a pawn shop tie sale and hallucinates that the potato sack was found by his (already dead) wife in his hotel belongings. In reality, the sack was on a truck, and the discovery of the missing tie-pin is what eventually shifts the investigation toward Rusk.