Thanks for spoiling the ending. I just put the movie in. Damnit.

That would have been a cool ending, but I don't think Walter could have covered himself in clay. The cops were already on their way to his apartment and he took the fast way out.

He should have slopped some clay on himself instead of just hanging himself. I love this movie, but everybody I force to watch it think it should be called STEW POT OF BLOOD, or DOUBLE-BOILER OF BLOOD.
"Walter Paisley is Born!"BUCKET OF BLOOD

Umbut he was covered in clay - or at least smeared with it.
I don't think simply smothering himself with clay would have killed him. Besides, all his previous works featured a relatively obvious method of death, so hanging himself was consistent and appropriate.

They had the same director. Rodger Corman. And yes it would have been cool if he smothered himself.
I've come here to kick a$$ & chew bubble gum . . . and I'm all out of bubble gum!