Black and white, reasonably famous characters in it.
Plot is that someone has been murdered (IIRC) or died in an asylum and the lead character goes in under cover to find out who did it – and slowly turns insane as he’s given shock therapy etc…

Seem to remember the film fondly, if only as it’s my version of “The Office”… ;o)

Sounds like Shutter Island.

I told you not to call the police

That could be the remake, but this is a genuine old B&W movie…

Shock Corridor ?

Debbie does Dallas?

Hmm, could be. The plot is correct, and the asylum is as I remember it (never thought I’d say that) but don’t recall all the pseudo-erotic stuff.
For my sake I’ll say no, otherwise it might be this film that’s lodged in my mind for the past 20 years or so…

I saw a film along similar lines but was in colour, possibly a remake.

Could be this now I’m searching in earnest…
Shock Treatment
But then I don’t remember animal labs etc…

Debbie does Dallas?

You like that film don’t you? 😆

The Ruling Class?

Shock Corridor?

That’s what came to my mind.

That there’s Quantum Leap you’re thinking of, silly you

“Shock Theater” Joe Napolitano Deborah Pratt October 3, 1954 Havenwell, Pennsylvania May 22, 1991
Sam leaps into Sam Beiderman, a depressed mental patient who receives shock therapy as soon as Sam leaps in. This causes Sam’s ego to become displaced, resulting in his assuming the identities of people he has leaped into before. It’s up to Al to complete Sam’s mission by helping a mentally challenged young man learn how to read, which he is able to do when he discovers that he and Sam can be seen by mentally insane people; he must also find a way to restore Sam’s ego so he can leap, or else risk losing contact with Sam forever.

(good ol’ wikipedia)

the garish colour pallette of US tv back then probably just made your eyes block out colour altogether in protest.

no need for thanks, i do it for the love of telly