September Quick Picks and Pans

 

The Spiral Staircase (1946) This superior gothic suspense film from director Robert Siodmak (based on the novel Some Must Watch, by Ethel Lina White) is short on plot but heavy on character, and dripping with atmosphere. Dorothy McGuire plays Helen, a young mute woman who might be next on a serial killer’s list. George Brent and Gordon Oliver are stepbrothers at odds with each other, and Ethel Barrymore appears as Mrs. Warren, a feisty bedridden matriarch. Elsa Lanchester almost steals the show as Mrs. Oates, a plucky housekeeper. It’s slow burn, leading to an explosive finale inside a shadowy old mansion (where the majority of the movie takes place). It’s a nail-biting experience, anchored by McGuire’s riveting performance and a cast of eccentric supporting characters. 

Rating: ****. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

 

Vanishing Waves (2012) Co-writer/director Kristina Buozyte’s Lithuanian science fiction thriller plays like a more cerebral version of The Cell (2000). An emotionally stunted researcher, Lukas (Marius Jampolskis), participates in an experiment to access the brain waves of Aurora (Jurga Jutaite), a comatose patient. As he delves deeper into Aurora’s fantasy world, Lukas becomes infatuated with her, much to the detriment of his girlfriend, Lina (Martina Jablonskyte). Lukas and Aurora seem to share a strange symbiosis, as their bond becomes increasingly emotional Meanwhile, he attempts to keep his relationship a secret from his colleagues. It’s a brooding, sometimes frustrating, meditation on science, love and ethics, that will likely captivate some and alienate others. 

Rating: ***½. Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Kanopy

 

Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) Drector Mario Bava takes a shot at sword and sandal movies with this mildly entertaining entry into the long-running series about the mythical Greek strongman. Hercules (Reg Park) and his pal Theseus (George Ardisson) travel to the underworld, in search of the golden apple, which will purportedly restore Hercules’ betrothed, Deianira, back to good health. Unfortunately, there’s push-back from the god Pluto when Theseus attempts to escape the underworld with the god’s daughter, Persephone (Evelyn Stewart). Christopher Lee also appears, as devious, would-be ruler Lico. Considering what was probably a very tight budget, the film looks great, bathed in bold reds and greens, with some inventive set design.    

Rating: ***. Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Kanopy

Night of the Big Heat (aka: Island of the Burning Damned) (1967) With the presence of director Terence Fisher, along with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, you would be led to believe this low-budget British film came from Hammer. Unfortunately, it’s a talky exercise, missing the spit and polish of that legendary production company. Lee plays a scientist, researching a potential alien invasion, and Cushing is a small-town country doctor. An inordinate amount of time is spent on a love triangle between a cocky author (Patrick Allen), his wife (Sarah Lawson), and mistress (Jane Merrow). It’s a big disappointment when we finally catch a glimpse of the aliens (which resemble glowing, pulsing lumps), as well as the abrupt, deus ex machina ending, but the movie has its moments. 

Rating: ***. Available on Blu-ray (Region B), DVD and Tubi

Evil Toons (1992) – First of all, don’t expect toons in this direct-to-video T&A fest from Fred Olen Ray, obviously intended to ride the coattails of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. There's only one (crudely animated) cartoon character in the whole flick, and he barely has any screen time. Four nubile women (in various states of undress) are hired to clean up a dusty old house. One of them encounters an ancient book that looks suspiciously like Evil Dead's Necronomicon, becoming possessed by a malevolent creature. Even bit parts by veteran actors Dick Miller (as their gruff boss Burt), Arte Johnson (as Mr. Hinchlow, a pervy neighbor), and David Carradine (as Gideon Fisk – some sort of mystical guy), can’t save this painfully dumb movie from itself. Just say no. 

Rating: *½. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

 

The Day of the Locust

 

(1975) Directed by John Schlesinger; Written by Waldo Salt; Based on the novel by Nathanael West; Starring: Donald Sutherland, Karen Black, William Atherton, Burgess Meredith, Geraldine Page, Richard Dysart and Billy Barty; Available on Blu-ray and DVD 

Rating: ****½  

Big thanks to Paul from Silver Screen Classics for hosting the Classic Literature on Film Blogathon. Be sure to check out all the posts from this exceptional blogging event!

“When I saw the first cut of the film, I knew it was going to be controversial, but I was very proud of it – and still am, incidentally. I realized that maybe the casting of Karen Black as Faye was fatal, but I felt that we had a really interesting and extraordinary film which by no means was going to be popular.” – John Schlesinger (from 1978 interview, “I Both Hate and Love What I Do”: An interview with John Schlesinger, by Michael M. Riley) 

“The central vision of the novel (The Day of the Locust), ‘The Burning of Los Angeles,’ comes from a poem that West wrote in 1932…My view was much more directly political. I saw Hollywood as the center of propaganda for the great American dream.” – Waldo Salt (from 1973 interview with Tom Buckley, The New York Times)

Hollywood success stories are the myth that keeps packing audiences in the theater. Movie-goers seem to have an insatiable appetite for stories about someone down on their luck (often depicted by a plucky heroine) who suddenly makes it big. A Hollywood failure story is something else. Directed by John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy), and written by Waldo Salt (adapted from Nathaniel West’s short novel), The Day of the Locust strips back the glossy Tinsel Town veneer, to reveal its true, unglamorous nature. It begins with the Hollywood dream, before abruptly devolving into a nightmare. Amidst a few bright spots, the cast of characters is predominately an assortment of has-beens, hopefuls, and never-weres.  

Tod Hackett (William Atherton) is a promising young artist working on the bottom rung of the motion picture business, circa 1938. He lives in a rundown apartment building, The San Bernardino Arms (“The San Berdoo”), populated by a host of characters involved directly or tangentially to show business. He’s obsessed by his neighbor, would-be starlet Faye Greener (Karen Black), who lives with her elderly, ex-Vaudevillian father Harry (Burgess Meredith). She regards him as a friend, but he desperately wants their relationship to be more than that. Another frequent visitor of the San Berdoo is quick-tempered Abe Kusich (Billy Barty), a little-person actor turned part-time hustler.

As Faye Greener, Karen Black* encapsulates the tone of the picture – a glamorous exterior that belies the ugliness underneath. In West’s book, Faye was only 17. The fact that Black was twice her character’s age only makes her character more pathetic. Faye (sporting a Harlow-esque platinum blonde hairdo) dreams of superstardom, taking the odd extra and bit parts in the hopes of landing her big break. In the meantime, she’s prepared to live a lifestyle beyond her means, and doesn’t care who she has to step on in the process. She’s the textbook definition of a self-dramatist, never missing an opportunity to hog the spotlight from everyone in her vicinity. Faye speaks with the affectations and ersatz sophistication of someone who can only mimic the celebrities she idolizes. She’s acts as if she’s constantly on stage, to the point where we never know who the real Faye is. Her syrupy sweet façade frequently lapses with moments of rage and abject cruelty. While she toys with Tod’s affections, she finds a willing mark in naïve Midwest transplant Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland). 

* Fun Fact #1: Schlesinger auditioned several actresses for the role of Faye, including Raquel Welch, before eventually deciding on Karen Black. According to the director, he chose Black because, “There’s something about Karen Black, excellent actress though she is, that convinces you she wouldn’t succeed.”

Donald Sutherland intrigues and repels as the perpetually bewildered Homer Simpson,*/**/*** a man who seems profoundly uncomfortable in his own skin. One of Homer’s trademark behaviors (which Sutherland perfectly replicated from the book) is that he can’t seem to control his fidgeting hands. If his hands are in a continual state of motion, Homer himself appears to be frozen in a state of indecision and unfulfilled longing (In his first attempt to win Faye’s favors, he drops a bouquet and runs). While he regards Faye with unconditional adoration, to her, he’s only a meal ticket – one in a long line of people she’s used and discarded. Homer proves that everyone, however, has their boiling point. When he finally snaps, 40 years of repressed desires and rage are released in one terrible display. 

* Fun Fact #2: Was Nathanael West’s Homer the inspiration for the eponymous patriarch of The Simpsons television show? Its creator, Matt Groening, provided conflicting views, first attributing the character to his father, before conceding that Homer Simpson was in fact derived from West’s book. Which story is true? The world may never know. 

** Fun Fact #3: Sutherland stated that it was “one of my favorite roles, because I played him exactly as I was, aged 13.” (2005 Guardian interview by John Patterson) 

*** Fun Fact #4: In order to look the part of his oversized character, the 6’ 4” Sutherland gained 40 pounds.

The Day of the Locust lays bare the wide chasm between the haves and have-nots. Amidst the established Hollywood royalty, everyone else is chasing the elusive dream of fame, or gasping on the fumes of their former lives. One of the few success stories in the film is wealthy screenwriter Claude Estee (Richard Dysart), who stages elaborate parties at his sprawling estate.* On the other end of the spectrum is Faye’s father Harry (Burgess Meredith), a one-time star of the stage and screen, is now reduced to peddling his homemade shoe polish door-to-door, performing his song and dance routine to anyone who pays attention. Much like his daughter, his behaviors are little more than an elaborate ruse. Further down the stepladder of fame are fringe dwellers Earle Shoop (Bo Hopkins), and Miguel (Pepe Serna), who stage cockfights for small-time stakes. 

* Fun Fact #5: If Claude’s mansion looks familiar, it’s none other than Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Mayan House,” which famously appeared in The House on Haunted Hill (1959).

The film underscores the human cost of motion picture production. In one scene depicting the Battle of Waterloo,* the elaborate set collapses, resulting in multiple injuries. The producer’s reaction, much to Tod’s dismay, is to sweep it under the rug and move on. Human life, especially the lives of extras, is especially cheap. The film’s climax, set during a gala Chinese Theatre premiere, contains visuals worthy of a horror movie, when the mass of fans quickly becomes a mob. The crowd that arrived to feed off the fame of celebrities turns against itself, thirsting for blood and destruction. The scene reaches an apocalyptic crescendo with Hollywood literally in flames, mimicking Tod’s painting, “The Burning of Los Angeles.” The crowd of people has transformed into an unblinking sea of pallid gray faces, their mouths paralyzed in a perpetual wail.   

* Fun Fact #6: The Waterloo film’s director is played by William Castle, in a brief cameo.

Schlesinger and Salt effectively captured the damning tone of Nathanael West’s novel. While The Day of the Locust is rife with compelling performances and an uncompromising vision, it’s easy to see why this didn’t fare well with critics or the box office. Even by the gritty standards of ‘70s cinema, this is bleak stuff. It doesn’t give us anyone to root for, depicting a Hollywood where no one is left untainted (Tod, who would probably be the protagonist in most other films, nearly rapes Faye in a fit of jealousy). It’s a grim reminder that you don’t rise to the top without getting your hands dirty, which also follows for those that sink to the bottom.

 

Sources for this article: “I Both Hate and Love What I Do”: An interview with John Schlesinger, by Michael M. Riley, Literature/Film Quarterly, Spring 1978; “Total Recall – Donald Sutherland,” by John Patterson, Guardian (2005); “Waldo Salt Recalls The Day of the Locust,” by Tom Buckley, The New York Times, Friday, December 7, 1973; “Behind the Scenes of The Day of the Locust,” by Kenn Rand 

Kenny & Co.

(1976) Written and directed by Don Coscarelli; Starring: Dan McCann, A. Michael Baldwin, Jeff Roth, Ralph Richmond and Reggie Bannister; Available on DVD (Out of print) 

Rating: **** 

Note: This is an expanded version of a capsule review that originally appeared in June 2011.

“Sure, there would be a neighborhood bully and a love interest for Kenny, but my true goal was to convey what everyday life was like for a normal boy of twelve as he was growing up. For kids, adults and their actions are simply incomprehensible. I wanted to show that.” – Don Coscarelli (from True Indie, by Don Coscarelli)

Being a kid has never been easy, with every generation staking claim to having the most arduous (and, alternatively, the greatest) experience growing up. As a Gen-Xer, my formative years were distributed between the ‘70s and ‘80s so I declare bragging rights for both decades. Although the kids in Kenny & Co., circa 1976, were a few years older than me, the scenes and dialogue consistently struck a chord with my own recollections of that peculiar and sporadically tumultuous time. If you ever wondered what being a kid in‘70s-era Southern California was like, this is probably as close as you’re going to get, short of a documentary from the period or a time machine.

Writer/director Don Coscarelli was only 21 when he directed his second movie (preceded by Jim, the World’s Greatest). Filmed in Long Beach, California, around the same neighborhood where he grew up, Kenny & Co. was his (sort of) tribute to The 400 Blows (although I’d wager Truffaut never watched Kenny & Co.). Coscarelli and associate producer Paul Pepperman incorporated several incidents from their own childhood into the story. Coscarelli’s parents’ house became the base of operations for the film, as well as the location for several scenes. It was a true family affair, with his father Dac producing, his mother Kate (who also starred as Kenny’s mother and cooked for the film crew) handling makeup and production design by, and costumes by his sister Anne. In low budget fashion, many of the crew members had multiple roles (in addition to directing, Coscarelli handled the cinematography and editing).

Kenny (played by Dan McCann, in his first and only role) is an average pre-teen who hangs around with his best friend Doug (Michael Baldwin), and by default, the klutzy, fifth-wheeling kid from across the street, Sherman (Jeff Roth).* His elementary school teacher, Mr. Donovan (played by Coscarelli regular, Reggie Bannister),** is the kind of teacher everyone wishes they had – easygoing, and not too old or jaded to remember what it was like to be that age. Naturally, it wouldn’t be a proper film about childhood if there wasn’t some adversity, which comes in the form of hulking bully Johnny Hoffman (Willy Masterson), who’s roughly the size and shape of a male silverback gorilla. 

* Fun Fact #1: When Jeff Roth tripped over the camera during his audition, Coscarelli knew that they had found the perfect Sherman. 

** Fun Fact #2: Kenny & Co. featured several performers who would appear in Coscarelli’s better-known follow-up, Phantasm. In addition to Baldwin and Bannister, the cast included Kenneth V. Jones (the first victim of the flying silver ball) as Kenny’s irascible baseball coach Mr. Soupy, Terrie Kalbus (the spooky girl in Mike’s neighborhood), as Kenny’s first crush, and Ralph Richmond (the bartender in Phantasm) as Doug’s prankster father, Big Doug.

While a movie that isn’t driven by plot might be considered a deficit in some circles, it works beautifully for Kenny and Co. Instead, the film is comprised of vignettes, bracketed by Halloween night, and tied together by Kenny’s earnest narration. The result is consistent with the murky waters of our memories, which tend to be episodic in nature, rather than a coherent linear narrative. The performances by the kids (many of whom were not professional actors) are refreshingly natural. McCann (whom Pepperman spotted at a school carnival) is perfect as the easygoing everykid, Kenny, with his sweet but not saccharine demeanor. Roth never fails to amuse as Sherman, with his puppy-dog eyes and naïve charm (he desperately wants to be one of the guys, who consider him more of a mascot than a peer). One of the few professional actors was Michael Baldwin,* standing out from the pack as Kenny’s fearless pal, Doug. 

* Fun Fact #3: Baldwin’s father, Gerard, was an animator/director who worked on several shows, including The Bullwinkle Show and The Jetsons.

Despite being a little rough around the edges (or perhaps because of it), Kenny & Co. captures some of the greater truths about being a kid. Sure, there’s some artistic license along the way (most of us probably aren’t lucky enough to witness our childhood bully’s comeuppance), but what Kenny & Co. especially gets right are the little moments – stupid pranks, goofing around, and generally doing things that would give any parent heart palpitations. In one scene, the kids peruse the centerfold in a girly magazine that Sherman pilfered from his dad’s bedroom, leading to a conversation about how babies are made. Sherman’s ridiculously misguided notions about human biology, contrast sharply with Doug’s matter-of-fact answer. In another scene, Kenny and Doug drop their dummy “Otis” in the street,* just to observe the baffled motorists’ reactions. To their dismay, a pair of grown-ups promptly abduct Otis and dump him in their trunk, a cruel reminder that adults aren’t always trustworthy. 

* Interesting Fact: In a case of life imitating art, my oldest son copied their prank, fashioning a dummy out of old clothes, and placing it in the middle of a busy parking lot. Thankfully, no one took his “Otis” away.

For a movie that’s predominately a comedy there are some unexpected somber moments, including one of the most heartbreakingly honest depictions of losing a beloved pet that I have seen in any movie. Along with his parents, Kenny accompanies his dog Bob on his final trip to the vet. As explained by his father, they’re doing the right thing to ease their dog’s suffering, but nothing about it seems right or fair. When they exit the exam room, the camera pans across the photos on the wall, and the other pets in the waiting room (presumably for routine check-ups). It's a mixture of emotions – grieving over the loss, and envying the owners whose pets are still alive. For many kids, it’s their first encounter with death, and a harsh rite of passage. In another scene Kenny asks his father about what happens when you die. Instead of providing some trite, sugarcoated answer, his father responds that he doesn’t know – far from the comforting words his son probably expected. The only false note comes later, when Kenny and Sherman witness a (presumably) fatal auto accident. Compared to the scene with the dog, it seems extraneous, and out of step with the rest of the film. Mercifully, Coscarelli balances these darker moments with silliness,* keeping things from becoming too glum. It also serves as a reminder that Kenny is nothing, if not resilient.    

* Fun Fact #4: Coscarelli knew he was onto something, after seeing audiences jump during a scene when a monster appears in a spooky garage. Coscarelli commented that the desire to evoke that same sort of reaction inspired him to make Phantasm.

In his DVD commentary, Coscarelli lamented the fact that 20^th Century Fox tried to market the film as a kids’ movie, when he suspected that its true audience would be adults, reminiscing about their childhoods. As it turned out, he was spot-on with his assessment (although I believe kids would find much to relate to in the film). Considering the distributor’s lackluster job promoting Kenny & Co., it’s unsurprising that it fared poorly at the American box office. Oddly enough, the movie became a big hit in Japan (where it was retitled Boys Boys/Kenny and Friends). Despite its brief moment of glory, Kenny & Co., like its star, McCann, faded into obscurity. As far as many Coscarelli fans are concerned, his career started with Phantasm, but Kenny & Co. deserves its own little renaissance. Unlike most of Coscarelli’s other films, which have wound up on just about every home video format, there was only one DVD release of Kenny & Co. (Jim, the World’s Greatest, has yet to appear on DVD or Blu-ray). The promising young director would go on to more polished and ambitious projects, but nothing has quite matched the degree of humor and heart found in this sophomore effort. The Anchor Bay DVD is long out of print, with no Blu-ray in sight, but if you can get your hands on a copy, it’s a trip down memory lane worth taking. 

 

Sources for this article: Anchor Bay DVD commentary; True Indie, by Don Coscarelli

 

Werewolf Month Quick Picks and Pans

 

Moon of the Wolf (1972) At times, this made-for-TV movie from director Daniel Petrie (based on a novel by Les Whitten) feels a bit like an extended Night Stalker episode. Set in rural Louisiana, the focus is on story, not effects. It starts as a murder mystery, which gradually shifts to horror. When a woman’s body is found savagely mauled, Sheriff Whitaker (David Janssen) attempts to narrow down the list of suspects, including the victim’s brother. While the locals blame wild dogs, the real culprit is something much more terrifying – a loup-garou (basically a Cajun version of a werewolf). Petrie wisely holds back from revealing the creature for most of the film (the makeup by Thomas and William Tuttle resembles a restrained version of Lon Chaney Jr.’s Wolf Man). It’s worth a look for the supporting cast alone (including Bradford Dillman, Barbara Rush, and Royal Dano). 

Rating: ***½. Available on DVD

 

The Werewolf (1956) An amnesiac (Steven Ritch) wanders into a small California mountain town. Mayhem ensues shortly afterwards, when his appearance coincides with several grisly (offscreen) murders. It takes the film nearly a half-hour to introduce the two scientists responsible for turning the man into a werewolf, under the auspices of improving society. It’s all appropriately moody and atmospheric, but falls short as a horror film. As much as I enjoyed the genre elements, this little slice of werewolf-noir probably would have been better off focusing on the psychological ramifications of a man on the run from himself. 

Rating: ***. Available on DVD

 

I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957) Michael Landon (channeling James Dean from Rebel Without a Cause) stars as Tony Rivers, a teen with a terminal beef against authority figures and rules. After one too many run-ins with the law, he’s placed under the care of an unscrupulous psychiatrist (Whit Bissell), who makes him his unwitting pawn (What informed consent?). Using hypnotherapy, the psychiatrist hopes to re-start the human race, by regressing his test subject a million years or so. With shaky science like that, what could possibly go wrong? Plenty, we soon discover, when Tony becomes a bloodthirsty, rampaging werewolf. It might be worth a look, for the goofy premise alone. Surprisingly, you can’t find this on DVD or streaming with the regular services, but you can probably catch it on YouTube (for now). 

Rating: **½. Available on: YouTube

 

Dr. Jekyll vs. the Werewolf (1972) Paul Naschy returns as cursed Polish nobleman Waldemar Daninsky, who’s doomed to turn into a werewolf when the moon is full. Hoping to find a possible cure for his affliction, he travels to London, where he meets the grandson of Dr. Jekyll. The good doctor’s latest experiment (based on his grandfather’s work) involves a serum that turns Daninsky into Mr. Hyde (not a great tradeoff). Where or how he suddenly sports a Victorian-era cape in swinging ‘70s England is never explained. Unless you’re equating the title with the doctor’s struggle to find a cure for Daninsky’s lycanthropy, it’s a bit of a letdown – don’t expect any knock-down, drag-out, slugging action between the two. For Naschy enthusiasts only. 

Rating: **½. Available on DVD and Tubi

She-Wolf of London (1946) Hmm… Talk about bait and switch! Not really a sequel to 1935’s Werewolf of London, this tepid thriller is a little too classy for its own good. Most of the attacks are offscreen, and the “werewolf” is just a shrouded figure. June Lockhart plays Phyllis Allenby, a young woman harboring a family curse. She becomes the primary suspect in a series of vicious murders, but has no recollection of committing them. Despite the title, don’t go in expecting to see werewolves. It’s a serviceable murder mystery, but as a horror film it falls woefully short. Lumping it together with the other Universal Wolf Man movies is nothing more than wishful thinking.   

Rating: **½. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

 

Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman (1943) The Universal house of horror was showing cracks in the foundation by the time this sort-of sequel to The Wolf Man was released. Lon Chaney Jr. returns as the eternally tortured Lawrence Talbot (it turns out he was only mostly dead), searching for an end to his misery. Bela Lugosi plays Frankenstein’s monster – an odd casting choice, considering Lugosi’s reservations about playing the creature in the first place. Seeing Lugosi (barely recognizable behind the makeup) shamble around like a drunken zombie and grunting seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Chaney does his best as Talbot, but there’s nothing new about the character. There’s an unnecessary musical sequence, presumably to pad out the film’s running time, and the final showdown is perfunctory at best. It’s nice seeing Maria Ouspenskaya reprising her role as Maleva from The Wolf Man, but her character isn’t given much to do except to be treated like a pariah by the ignorant local villagers. Watch House of Dracula or House of Frankenstein instead. 

Rating: **½. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

 

Silver Bullet (1985) The eponymous “Silver Bullet” refers to the main character Marty’s (Corey Haim) souped-up wheelchair (Is that thing even street legal?) and, of course, the traditional means of dispatching a werewolf. Based on Stephen King’s novella Cycle of the Werewolf, and adapted by King* himself, it’s surprising that most of the roles are so two-dimensional, but a couple of performances manage to shine through. Gary Busey plays Marty’s irresponsible uncle (Hmm… Does life imitate art, or vice versa?), and Everett McGill is excellent as the creepy Reverend Lowe. Unfortunately, the movie suffers from an inconsistent tone, bland leads, and substandard makeup effects.   

* Fun Fact: Don Coscarelli was originally slated to direct the film, but constant disagreements with producer Dino De Laurentiis led to his dismissal from the project. The producer, however, did take Coscarelli’s suggestion to have King write the screenplay (from True Indie, by Don Coscarelli).

Rating: **½. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

The Rats Are Coming! The Werewolves Are Here! (1972) Another micro-budget wonder from writer/director/producer Andy Milligan features lots of talky scenes with expository dialogue, delivered with an odd cadence (In other words, it’s unmistakably a Milligan film). A Victorian-era family of British werewolves are thrown into upheaval when the youngest daughter marries an outsider (thinking their offspring might break the family curse). The old house that serves as the primary setting lends some veracity to the production, but any suspension of disbelief is nullified by the lead actress’ blue eyeshadow, and a scene where two characters walk by a modern soda advertisement. In the end, the best thing about it is the eyebrow-raising title. The rest? Well… Did I mention it’s a Milligan film? Watch at your own peril. 

 Rating: **. Available on DVD (Out of print) and Tubi

 

 

Werewolf Woman (1976) In this sleazy Italian horror/thriller from writer/director Rino Di Silvestro, Annik Borel plays Daniela, a woman unable to form relationships with men. She channels the past life of her lookalike ancestor, who was burnt at the stake. She soon follows in her predecessor’s footsteps, luring and killing men by tearing at their throats. The misogynistic story attempts to link Daniela’s past sexual trauma with her psychosis, making no attempt to portray the character in a sympathetic light. Instead, the camera lingers on her body as a sex object, while she’s regarded as a savage animal that deserves to be destroyed. Do yourself a favor and skip this genuinely unpleasant experience. 

Rating: *½. Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Tubi

 

Announcing the Devilishly Delightful Donald Pleasence Blogathon

 

When Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews asked me if I was interested in co-hosting a blogathon devoted to the one and only Donald Pleasence, how could I resist? Who else but Mr. Pleasence could be a Bond villain, a blind POW, a Soviet conspirator, William Hare (of the notorious duo Burke and Hare), and a determined psychiatrist, all with equal conviction? Friend or foe, the infinitely versatile character actor was always committed to his craft.

Since the blogathon will take place Halloween week, you’re more than welcome to cover any of his horror roles, but don’t forget his many other non-horror characters, as well. You might choose to review one of his films, do a retrospective of his filmography, or cover one aspect of his career (such as his enduring role as Dr. Loomis in the Halloween series). There are no limits to the possibilities.

Of course, you’re not just restricted to blog posts about Pleasence. Feel free to send us links to your YouTube video, podcast, black-light velvet paintings – wherever your creative impulses take you. Not sure where to start? With acting credits, according to IMDB, there’s bound to be something that will strike your fancy. Check out a list of his roles here. 

 

What: The Devilishly Delightful Donald Pleasence Blogathon

 

Who: Hosted by Gill Jacob and Barry P. 

 

Where: Realweegiemidget Reviews & Cinematic Catharsis

 

When: October 28-30, 2022 

 

How: Please read the rules below, and send me your post request (review, podcast, etc…) via email (barry_cinematic@yahoo.com), Twitter (@barry_cinematic), or by commenting below. You may also contact Gill by commenting on her post, or through her blog’s Contact Me page. (Be sure to include your preferred name, along with your blog’s title).

 

The Rules…

1.     You may review ANY of his film or TV appearances. Or if you want to review books or topics about him that’s fine with us as well.

2.     Because Mr. Pleasence has such a large number of appearances in his filmography, NO DUPLICATE MOVIE OR TV SHOW TITLES WILL BE ALLOWED. If a specific title has already been claimed, you may only include that title if it’s part of a list or retrospective review. If you choose to write about Donald Pleasence, tell us what your topic will be. We won’t accept posts that are uncomplimentary or disrespectful to him.

3.     Review choices may be requested as a comment on this page or you may contact me through the methods listed above.

4.     Add your Twitter username so we can promote your post.

5.     A full list of blogs and review choices will be posted on a separate page, and updated regularly.

6.     Only original, never-before-published posts will be accepted.

7.     Limit TWO blog posts per participant, please.

8.     Send a link of your post(s) to me or Gill on one of the days of the blogathon. Note: We will be publishing all links on both blogs.  

9.     Please also note: Gill and I have already claimed the following titles below:

Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews – Telefon (1970)

Barry at Cinematic Catharsis – Circus of Horrors (1960)

 

One more thing: 

If you plan to participate, or just want to show your support, please grab one of the following banners to display on your blog:

                                                                             

We’re looking forward to seeing your submissions!

The Ginger Snaps Trilogy

 

“The goal was to create a werewolf movie that no one had seen before. It was to kind of take people’s expectations of the genre, and then… bend them and twist them, and really make it something that was a departure. I really wanted to strip the magic away from the werewolf, and create the werewolf as a kind of a biological entity. The werewolf was a virus that infected the human body…” - John Fawcett (Director, Ginger Snaps)

Aroooo… Ho hum. There’s a certain sameness to many werewolf movies: Man gets bitten by werewolf and subsequently acquires curse, man transforms into werewolf, followed by man living a tortured existence until he meets a tragic ending. Sure, there’s infinite possibilities within these confines, but most permutations seem to follow a similar trajectory, with predictable results.

The first Ginger Snaps movie (which seemingly sprung from nowhere) was just the shot in the arm the genre needed, managing to be a clever twist on coming-of-age comedies and werewolf flicks in one go. It was a refreshing departure from the usual male-centric genre offerings, which typically portrayed men as the problem-solvers and women as passive and virtually extraneous (except, perhaps, as sex objects). Instead, the men are often depicted as ineffectual or toxic (or a combination of both).  

How do you follow up a successful film? The usual sequel formula involves upping the action and raising the stakes, while making everything louder, faster and more bombastic. The Ginger Snaps sequels are a surprising exception, despite featuring different writing/directing teams (which usually isn’t a good sign). Then again, the changing of the guard created a unique tone for each film, as well as providing an opportunity to take the two principal characters in unexpected directions.

Ginger Snaps (2000) Directed by John Fawcett; Written by Karen Walton; Story by John Fawcett; Starring: Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche, Mimi Rogers and Jesse Moss; Available on Blu-ray and DVD

Rating: ****

“A girl can only be a slut, a bitch, a tease, or the virgin next door.” – Ginger (Katharine Isabelle)  

Ginger Snaps was barely a blip on the radar when it debuted in Canadian theaters. After it failed to score a distribution deal in the States,* director John Fawcett feared that was the final nail in the coffin for his independent werewolf flick. A screening in New York breathed new life into his movie, and it was subsequently picked up by HBO, where it enjoyed heavy rotation. Thanks to home video and positive word of mouth, the little-werewolf-movie-that-could grew to become a cult favorite, as well as a modern genre classic.

Gawky teen sisters Ginger and Brigitte* (Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins) share an odd sort of symbiosis. Not unlike the eponymous Harold from Harold and Maude, Ginger and Brigitte enjoy staging brutal deaths and filming them – the more revolting, the better. Their long-suffering parents, Pamela (Mimi Rogers) and Henry (John Bourgeois) have come to begrudgingly tolerate their stunts as some sort of weird phase. Being late to the puberty party, they’re further isolated from their high school** peers, so they stick together as one death-obsessed unit, with outgoing Ginger and reclusive Brigitte against the world. But for Ginger, at least, she’s about to undergo a radical transformation. After she’s viciously attacked by a wolflike creature, her body seems to be making up for lost time, as she experiences her first period, and boys begin to take notice of her appearance. The dyad between the sisters begins to splinter, as Ginger begins to discover boys, while wielding her newly discovered sexual charms. But puberty is only the beginning for Ginger, as her body has new, monstrous changes in store. Brigitte becomes increasingly alarmed at her sister’s metamorphosis, and is determined to find a cure. 

* Fun Fact #1: Just after casting Perkins as Brigitte, Fawcett was chagrined to learn that she had cut her hair extremely short. His less-than-elegant solution was to put her in a wig. 

** Fun Fact #2: The various high school PA announcements throughout the film were done by an uncredited Lucy Lawless. At one point, she pages the “Raimi twins, Samuel and Theodore,” to the principal’s office, a fun reference to her longtime working partnership with Sam and Ted Raimi.

Mimi Rogers’ amusing supporting performance as the sisters’ peppy but clueless mother Pamela, is well worth noting. She sports one tacky outfit after another (selected by Rogers, herself), and her default coping method for a life-changing event is to bake something. There’s unexpected depth to Pamela (unlike her obtuse husband), as she gets wise to some of the strange and awful things that are occurring around town.

Director Fawcett aimed for a monster that seemed biologically plausible, rather than a product of some magical process. Other than lunar phases being associated with menstrual cycles, the filmmakers didn’t want the moon linked to Ginger’s transformation.* Compared to their hirsute cousins in nearly every other werewolf film, the beasties in this movie were mostly hairless (featuring makeup effects by Paul Jones). Also, unlike most other werewolf depictions, changing into the mythical beast is a one-way street – there’s no reverse transformation from werewolf to human. Likewise, screenwriter Karen Walton wanted veracity in her teen characters. As a result, the characters sound like flesh and blood teens, rather than some idealized Hollywood construct. Walton equates lycanthropy with teens becoming something monstrous, as the culmination of a self-destructive lifestyle. 

* Fun Fact #3: Fawcett joked that it was the first werewolf movie without a shot of the full moon. Although I can’t confirm the veracity of that statement, it’s safe to say few other filmmakers would dare to omit an obligatory shot of the full moon in their werewolf movies.

If Heathers had been filmed by David Cronenberg,* it might look something like Ginger Snaps. It’s an inspired mix of the comic and the grotesque with an insightful study of human nature, deftly balancing the drama with well-timed comic moments (Walton’s ear for how people talk runs circles around the sequels in the dialogue department). As an intentional departure from genre stereotypes, Ginger Snaps thumbs its muzzle at werewolf lore, while honoring its horror roots, making this an essential addition to the sub-genre. 

* Fun Fact #4: Fawcett and Walton cited several films as the inspiration for Ginger Snaps, including Carrie, Heavenly Creatures, and the films of fellow Canuck, Cronenberg (especially Dead Ringers and The Fly). 

 

Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004) Directed by Brett Sullivan; Written by Megan Martin; Characters by Karen Walton; Starring: Emily Perkins, Brendan Fletcher, Katharine Isabelle and Tatiana Maslany; Available on Blu-ray and DVD 

Rating: *** 

“You’re healing faster, aren’t you? That shit’s not a cure, you know. It just slows the transformation. It doesn’t stop it, B. Nothing will stop it.” – Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) 

It must have been a daunting task following up one of the most original werewolf movies in years, but director Brett Sullivan and writer Megan Martin did an admirable job with Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed. This time, the focus is on Brigitte, who’s become increasingly withdrawn from society, following the aftermath of the first film. Now afflicted with the same curse as Ginger, the only thing that keeps her transformation at bay is a solution of poisonous monkshood (a relative of wolfsbane), which she injects on a regular basis. Her escalating self-destructive behavior eventually leads her (unwillingly) to a rehab center for young women.

If the first film is about lycanthropy as a metaphor for puberty, the second concerns werewolves standing in for the ravages of addiction. Brigitte has become sickly and gaunt, waiting for her next fix of an antidote that isn’t really an antidote. Haunted by the threat of turning into a werewolf, she starts shooting up with greater frequency, but it appears to have a diminishing effect. She finds little solace in her visions of Ginger (reprised by Katharine Isabelle), who mercilessly goads her.

The film introduces some interesting characters, including Tyler (Eric Johnson), a loathsome orderly who gives the inpatients the drugs they crave, in exchange for sexual favors. A strange young girl, known only as Ghost (Tatiana Maslany), follows Brigitte around the facility, narrating everything that’s going on, as if she’s writing a story. With Ginger out of the picture, there’s a reversal of roles, with Brigitte standing in as the unwitting surrogate older sister. As we soon learn, however, there’s more to Ghost than Brigitte first suspects.

The creature effects, employed sparingly, are handled by KNB Effects Group. Instead of the mostly hairless creatures in the first film, the werewolves have a more traditional, furry appearance, which carries over to the third film (also featuring KNB Effects). The annoying rapid-cut shock scenes (especially ubiquitous in the early 2000s) are distracting rather than engaging. It’s disappointing, albeit unsurprising, that Ginger Snaps 2 doesn’t have as much to say as the first movie. Although it’s more like an epilogue to Ginger Snaps, rather than a fully satisfying sequel, it ultimately gets more right than it does wrong.

 

Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004) Directed by Grant Harvey; Written by Christina Ray and Stephen Massicotte; Starring: Katherine Isabelle, Emily Perkins, Nathaniel Arcand, JR Bourne, Hugh Dillon and Brendan Fletcher; Available on Blu-ray and DVD 

Rating: ***   

“The English and the French brought with them their diseases to plague our land. And with them came the Wendigo. This was all foretold. Watched for. And with the Wendigo would come two sisters, the Red and the Black. And their love and their deaths would decide the way of things.” – Hunter (Nathaniel Arcand)

Instead of following the sequence of events in the first two installments, the third Ginger Snaps movie regresses 200 years, to Canada’s pre-history, focusing on Ginger and Brigitte’s ancestors (who conveniently look identical and possess the same names). This time, the setting is a remote outpost, surrounded by hostile assailants.

Ginger Snaps Back is essentially a siege film, taking its inspiration from John Carpenter movies such as Assault at Precinct 13 and The Thing. A pervasive sense of dread and paranoia takes hold, as the outpost’s occupants view outsiders Ginger and Brigitte with suspicion. Things drag on a bit long, as we anticipate the inevitable bloody werewolf onslaught, but arrive it does. In this film, the werewolf is an unstoppable supernatural force, a manifestation of the Wendigo legend. A First Nations warrior (Nathaniel Arcand, in an intriguing but underwritten role) protects the sisters from harm, as he watches an ancient prophecy come to fruition.  

Considering its meager budget, Ginger Snaps Back boasts strong production values and some excellent cinematography. It’s too bad the pacing, as well as the dialogue is so inconsistent. Much like the previous installment, it’s a mostly humorless affair, with the witty exchanges of the first film sorely missed. Ginger and Brigitte appear to be transplanted from a different era, speaking contemporary English, while everyone else remains entrenched in the early 19^th century. Faults aside, it’s laudable that the filmmakers avoided the easy route, choosing to take the third movie in a completely different direction. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last adventure of Ginger and Brigitte. 

 

Sources: Shout Factory Blu-ray commentary by John Fawcett; “Ginger Snaps: Blood, Teeth and Fur” (2014 documentary); “A Different Kind of Monster Movie: Writer Karen Walton Reflects on Ginger Snaps 20 Years Later,” by Tatiana Tenreyro, Bloody Disgusting