The Crimes of the Black Cat (1972)

- Sette scialli di seta gialla
Average at best, 11 June 2005

Fairly standard giallo about a string of murders with fashion models as victims. The one clue is snippets of a conversation overheard in a bar that seem to be tied to the murders. The only problem is that the man who overheard the conversation is blind. With the help of his butler and one of the models, he tries to assist the police in locating the murderer.

If it weren't for two key moments in this movie, it would be a totally forgettable giallo. The first is the method used by the murderer to kill a couple of the models. I won't go into detail to ruin it, so I'll just say that it's one of the most ridiculous, far-fetched, outlandish things I've seen. Most of the movie's credibility is destroyed in these moments.

The second key moment is the final murder. This one works as well or better than most I've seen in any movie. It's one of the most violent, grisly razor deaths you'll likely encounter. Think of it as the scene that Hitchcock didn't show you in that famous shower. Pastore gives it to you in all it's gory detail.

Other than these two memorable moments, the rest of the film is average at best. Nothing else about the movie really stands out.

5/10