Tuesday, October 27, 2015

EDGAR ALLAN POE’S BLACK CATS: PIZZA POE



If we can have spaghetti westerns why not pizza Poe?

The works of Edgar Allan Poe have been made into movies for quite some time. While there are a number of titles I’m sure everyone is aware of, in particular the Roger Corman films of the sixties, there have been lesser known movies made from his works that have been hard to find. Arrow Video is making sure that at least two of those titles are more accessible now. This two film collection features movies both based on Poe’s story THE BLACK CAT. Included are YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY and THE BLACK CAT.

While both films are incredibly loose with their connection to the original story the first is by far the most removed. Made in 1972 by director Sergio Martino the film is a classic giallo style movie. For those unfamiliar with the term these were movies made in Italy that were often compared to or taken from pulp murder mysteries from Italy that were featured with yellow covers or giallo. The films, most made in the 70s, always featured the killer unseen with the exception of more often than not  pair of black gloves as he/she killed his/her victim.

Oliviero (Luigi Pistilli) is a burned out novelist who hasn’t written anything new in some time. Living in his late mother’s home in Italy, he spends his days and nights in the company of a group of hippies more than happy to live off of his free food and wine. Oliviero lives with his wife Irina (Anita Strindberg) who he abuses both psychologically and physically and their servant, a young black woman. While his relationship with his wife doesn’t show signs of sadism the hint that it is there remains throughout the film. A murder occurs in town and the police suspect Oliviero but don’t have enough evidence to arrest him. When his maid is murdered as well, he and Irina hide the body. Is he the killer though?

Into this house of horrors walks Floriana (Edwige Fenech), Oliviero’s niece. An attractive and self-confident young woman, Floriana sets about seducing both members of the house. It is readily apparent that Floriana is there for some reason, most likely involving cash. The cat and mouse game (no pun intended) played among the three characters makes for some interesting moments. Before the film ends all is revealed.

While the film is interesting from start to finish I’m not sure I could claim it’s entertaining as well. Moments are but the movie feels disjointed somehow. Perhaps it suffers in translation or maybe it’s just the difference in the way films are made from one country to the next. In any event it had me wondering just who the killer was throughout, a good sign in a mystery. The ending was satisfactory but one many will figure out before the last reel of the film.

The quality of the film making is pretty good for the time and the fact that movies from Italy at that time always seemed less than what some come to expect. The acting is quite well done and Fenech cemented her standing as a scream queen with this role. Perhaps the strangest question I was left with was what anti per spirant Pistilli was using during the filming as he always seems covered with a sheen of sweat no matter what time of day it is.

Arrow Video once more presents a high quality product with a beautiful blu-ray presentation of the film. Extras, as always with their offerings, are top of the line. Included with this movie are THROUGH THE KEYHOLE - an interview with director Sergio Martino, UNVEILING THE VICE – a making of retrospective featuring interviews with Martino, Fenech and screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi, DOLLS OF FLESH AND BLOOD: THE GIALLI OF SERGIO MARTINO – a visual essay exploring the director’s contribution to the genre, THE STRANGE VICES OF MS. FENECH – a look at the career of the much lauded actress and a short featuring Eli Roth discussing the film and its impact on him.

The second film, THE BLACK CAT, was directed by Lucio Fulci in 1981. Perhaps known more for his gore filled horror films like CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (aka THE GATES OF HELL) and ZOMBIE, Fulci was quite prolific in the giallo genre as well. This film is only one among many that he directed.

As with the first film this one suffers from translation as well, though in a different sense. American films always seem to take on story telling in a linear fashion, moving from point A to point B and so on. With each step we understand why we’re moving in this direction. This film doesn’t choose to do so and honestly until about the 30 minute mark how the various sub plots combine isn’t quite clear.

We begin with a man who seems to be hypnotized by a black cat into crashing his car into another and killing himself. From there we find Prof. Robert Miles (Patrick Magee), a paranormal researcher and medium listening to tapes of strange voices speaking in Latin. It isn’t until later we find out that Miles has a hobby of recording EVPs of Extra Voice Phenomena in the local graveyard. We jump to Jill Trevers (Mimsy Farmer), a photographer from the U.S. working on a project taking pictures in the local graveyard.

After taking photos that afternoon, Jill learns from the locals at the nearby tavern that Miles is a medium. She goes to visit him and shows him the microphone she found, one of his left behind. At the same time she finds out that Miles owns a black cat, a pet that he is less than fond of but that he keeps on for some reason.

The next thing you know we’re watching a young couple trying to find a location to fool around in. Choosing a boathouse on the nearby river they start only to have the power to the building shut off. Not only are they left in the dark the ventilation system is shut down as well. Locked inside they’re facing certain death. The mother of the young girl, once close to Miles, seeks his help in finding her. She too faces a deadly encounter with the titular feline.

All of these stories finally coalesce and make sense as we get closer to the end. Not only are these threads solved but the entrance of a young police detective who comes to town to look into the series of murders that have been occurring is resolved as well.

As I said the movie takes nearly 30 minutes before it gels together and makes a bit of sense. When it does it becomes a more pleasant encounter and actually turns out to be an interesting movie. The performances are well done from all involved, especially David Warbeck as Inspector Gorley. Warbeck worked with Fulci on his film THE BEYOND as well. The movie is quite entertaining but as with most foreign made films those of us living in the US need to realize that movies aren’t made the same way around the world as they are here. If you’re willing to watch a film and accept it on its own terms it becomes a much more pleasurable experience. This one could help you achieve that.

Once more Arrow packs on the extras. Featured with this one are an audio commentary by filmmaker and FANGORIA editor Chris Alexander, FROM POE INTO FULCI: THE SPIRIT OF PERVERSENESS – a discussion on the movie by film historian Stephen Thrower, IN THE PAW: THE PRITNS OF THE BLACK CAT – a look at the original locations used in the film, FRIGHTENED DAGMAR – a career interview with Dagmar Lassander who stars in the film, AT HOME WITH DAVID WARBECK – an extensive interview with the actor and the original theatrical trailer.
The entire package is well worth adding to your collection if you’re a fan of Poe, Italian films and their directors or a horror fan making sure your collection is complete.

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