High Anxiety
A psychiatrist with intense acrophobia (fear of heights) goes to work for a mental institution run by doctors who appear to be crazier than their patients, and have secrets that they are willing to commit murder to keep.
Despite its small-scale budget of $4.0M, High Anxiety became a box office phenomenon, earning $31.1M worldwide—a remarkable 674% return. The film's compelling narrative attracted moviegoers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
High Anxiety (1977) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Mel Brooks's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke
Victoria Brisbane
Dr. Charles Montague
Nurse Charlotte Diesel
Dr. Philip Wentworth
Brophy
Main Cast & Characters
Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke
Played by Mel Brooks
A psychiatrist with extreme vertigo who takes over as director of the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous, uncovering a sinister plot.
Victoria Brisbane
Played by Madeline Kahn
A beautiful blonde woman who becomes romantically involved with Dr. Thorndyke while helping him uncover the conspiracy.
Dr. Charles Montague
Played by Harvey Korman
The scheming and murderous former administrator of the institute who plots to take control and eliminate Thorndyke.
Nurse Charlotte Diesel
Played by Cloris Leachman
A villainous, sadistic nurse who assists Dr. Montague in his evil schemes and murder plots.
Dr. Philip Wentworth
Played by Richard Stahl
Thorndyke's mentor and the former director of the institute who is mysteriously murdered before Thorndyke arrives.
Brophy
Played by Ron Carey
Dr. Thorndyke's loyal and eccentric driver who assists him throughout his investigation and adventures.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dr. Richard Thorndyke arrives at Los Angeles airport, a successful psychiatrist en route to his new position. He suffers from high anxiety (fear of heights) but maintains professional composure.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Thorndyke discovers the institute is running sinister operations. Nurse Diesel and Dr. Montague are clearly hostile, and he witnesses disturbing treatment of patients, realizing he's walked into a corrupt conspiracy.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Thorndyke decides to actively investigate the conspiracy at the institute. He commits to uncovering the truth about what happened to the former director and what Montague and Diesel are plotting., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Thorndyke is framed for murder. False evidence is planted making him appear guilty of killing Dr. Wentworth. The stakes raise dramatically as he becomes a fugitive, hunted by both the villains and the police., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Brophy is murdered by the conspirators. Thorndyke loses his key ally and friend, leaving him isolated and devastated. The "whiff of death" is literal, and Thorndyke hits his lowest emotional point., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Thorndyke has a breakthrough: he realizes the conspiracy's full scope and devises a plan to expose Montague and Diesel. He must confront his high anxiety directly to save Arthur Brisbane and clear his name., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
High Anxiety's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping High Anxiety against these established plot points, we can identify how Mel Brooks utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish High Anxiety within the comedy genre.
Mel Brooks's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Mel Brooks films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. High Anxiety takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mel Brooks filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Mel Brooks analyses, see History of the World: Part I, Spaceballs and Silent Movie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dr. Richard Thorndyke arrives at Los Angeles airport, a successful psychiatrist en route to his new position. He suffers from high anxiety (fear of heights) but maintains professional composure.
Theme
Brophy warns Thorndyke about the dangers at the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous, suggesting that things are not what they seem and he should be careful whom to trust.
Worldbuilding
Thorndyke travels to the institute, meets his driver Brophy, and arrives at the ominous facility. We meet the suspicious staff: Dr. Montague, Nurse Diesel, and Dr. Wentworth. The former director supposedly died in a mysterious accident.
Disruption
Thorndyke discovers the institute is running sinister operations. Nurse Diesel and Dr. Montague are clearly hostile, and he witnesses disturbing treatment of patients, realizing he's walked into a corrupt conspiracy.
Resistance
Thorndyke debates whether to stay or flee. He meets Victoria Brisbane, daughter of a wealthy patient who believes her father is being held against his will. Brophy becomes an ally, encouraging Thorndyke to investigate.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Thorndyke decides to actively investigate the conspiracy at the institute. He commits to uncovering the truth about what happened to the former director and what Montague and Diesel are plotting.
Mirror World
Thorndyke and Victoria Brisbane form a romantic connection. She represents trust and normalcy in contrast to the paranoid world of the institute, and their relationship becomes the emotional anchor of his investigation.
Premise
The fun of the Hitchcock parody unfolds: Thorndyke investigates while dodging assassination attempts (the shower scene, the birds attack in the park). He experiences escalating paranoia while trying to prove the conspiracy and rescue Arthur Brisbane.
Midpoint
Thorndyke is framed for murder. False evidence is planted making him appear guilty of killing Dr. Wentworth. The stakes raise dramatically as he becomes a fugitive, hunted by both the villains and the police.
Opposition
On the run, Thorndyke's anxiety worsens. Montague and Diesel tighten their grip on the institute. Thorndyke and Victoria attempt to gather evidence but are pursued. Brophy tries to help but the villains stay one step ahead.
Collapse
Brophy is murdered by the conspirators. Thorndyke loses his key ally and friend, leaving him isolated and devastated. The "whiff of death" is literal, and Thorndyke hits his lowest emotional point.
Crisis
Thorndyke grieves Brophy and nearly gives up. He faces his own psychological breakdown, questioning whether his high anxiety makes him unable to solve this. Victoria encourages him but he must find strength within himself.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Thorndyke has a breakthrough: he realizes the conspiracy's full scope and devises a plan to expose Montague and Diesel. He must confront his high anxiety directly to save Arthur Brisbane and clear his name.
Synthesis
Thorndyke infiltrates the institute, overcomes his fear of heights in the climactic tower sequence, rescues Arthur Brisbane, and exposes the villains. The conspiracy unravels as evidence comes to light. Montague and Diesel are defeated.
Transformation
Thorndyke, now free of suspicion and having conquered his high anxiety through his heroic actions, stands confidently with Victoria. He has transformed from an anxious psychiatrist into a brave hero who faced his fears.