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.
Click here to order.
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