The Diabolical Dr. Z (1966)

- Miss Muerte
My New Favorite Franco, 4 April 2005

A more apt title for the movie might be The Daughter of the Diabolical Doctor Z. Dr. Z doesn't make it through the first 15 minutes of the movie before he dies of a heart attack. His daughter (also a doctor) blames those who scoffed at her father's ideas for his death. Continuing with her father's work, she vows revenge. Using his mind control procedures, she creates two "slaves" to carry out her plan.

I have dubbed this movie "My New Favorite Franco", just beating out Venus in Furs for the title. Where many of his movies seem to lose their way, The Diabolical Doctor Z has a straight forward plot and takes the time necessary to build atmosphere. Too often Franco's films seem rushed or go in so many directions that nothing seems to make much sense.

The choice made by the daughter of the beautiful performance artist, Miss Death, as a "weapon" for her revenge is interesting. Much like a spider, Miss Death first seduces her prey before using her long nails that have been dipped in poison to kill. Miss Death's spider web nightclub dance is a must see.

This is the second Franco film that I've seen that reminded me in some way of Franju's Eyes Without a Face. While the influence on the other Franco film, The Awful Dr. Orloff, is obvious, here it is much more subtle. The face surgery scene is eerily reminiscent of Franju's face surgery scene.

8/10

The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)

Funny, but little else to recommend, 4 April 2005

The evil Dr. Arcane (Louis Jourdan), thought to be dead at the end of the original Swamp Thing, is alive and well. His life, however, will be short-lived unless he is able to reverse his cell degeneration. Up to this point, his experiments have yielded only horribly disfigured mutants. Fortunately for the Doctor, his step daughter, Abby (Heather Locklear), arrives to confront him about her mothers death. With her DNA, Arcane may be able to save himself. But, lurking nearby is Swamp Thing - Dr. Arcane's nemesis who is intent on stopping him.

I've seen this movie at least a half a dozen times. With each viewing, I want it to be good. Although bits and pieces are enjoyable, overall it's just not a very good movie. For the most part The Return of Swamp Thing fails at being an action movie, it fails at being a sci-fi movie, and it fails at being a horror movie. Some of the acting, particular that of Monique Gabrielle, is noticeably wooden. I doubt that Gabrielle has ever delivered a line that sounded natural. Some of the special effects, particularly a few of the mutants, are anything but special. Many of the plot points can be seen from a mile away. For example, when we are introduced to Abby, we are told that she's the kind of person who prefers plants to people. Gee, I wonder who will be her love interest in the movie?

The movie does achieve a little success, however, at being a comedy. Some of the lines are genuinely funny. For example, when Swamp Thing reminds Abby that their budding relationship will be hampered because he's a plant, her response "That's okay, I'm a vegetarian." Not great, but it does bring a smile to my face. Another scene that I'm fond of involves Jourdan poking a little fun at himself. Jourdan's pet parakeet happens to be named Gigi. Jourdan sings a little song to Gigi that's a take-off of the songs in what may be his most famous movie, Gigi.

As I had seen this movie several times before, on this occasion I watched with the commentary on Image's DVD. Few commentaries are as informative as this one. Listening to Director Wynorski, it's amazing the detail he remembers about making The Return of Swamp Thing. It's one of the better commentaries I've heard in a while.

4/10

The Prowler (1981)

One of the better 80s slashers, 4 April 2005

A "Dear John" letter is the impetus for a returning WWII G.I. to brutally murder his former girlfriend during a Spring Dance. 35 years later, the local college decides to bring the dance back. Once again, someone dressed in army fatigues is stalking a murdering the young women at the dance.

I hadn't seen The Prowler since it's initial theatrical run some 25 years ago. At that time, I thought it was a very good slasher. For the most part, it's held up rather well. It is easily one of the better of the slasher films from the early 80s. The killings are especially brutal and feature something that's not seen as often in today's teen horror movies – literally gallons of blood. Someone was working over-time mixing red dye with Karo syrup.

The story isn't much to write home about. Most of the plot revolves around people waiting around to be slaughtered. Most of the characters literally do nothing but stand around and act like easy prey. But in this kind of movie, a deep and meaningful plot is not what most people are after. It's the killings. And as I mentioned previously, that where The Prowler excels.

The Prowler does feature one camera technique that a lot of directors of 80s horror films used that drives me nuts. It's the fake POV shots that get under my skin. Personally, I like POV shots. When done correctly, as in Halloween, they're most effective. But when a director uses a POV shot to trick the audience into thinking something bad is about to happen, it's cheating as far as I'm concerned. Take the scene in The Prowler where the girl is waiting in the jeep at the cemetery. The camera slowly moves toward the jeep. The image moves slightly up and down as if it's shot through the eyes of a moving person. Suddenly, the shot is over and there's no killer (or any other person for that matter). Why do a shot like that unless you're going for cheap scares. It's really annoying.

7/10

Sisters of Death (1977)

Typical 70s trash, 3 April 2005

During an initiation ceremony, a girl is accidentally shot to death. At least it appeared to be an accident. Her father doesn't think so. Seven years later, he sends anonymous invitations to the other girls to gather for a reunion. His plan is to find the girl responsible for his daughters murder and kill her. If some of the other girls die along the way, it's of no concern to him.

Sisters of Death is a typical low-budget horror film from the 70s. I've read that it was actually made in 1972(?), but not released until 1978. I don't know why, just thought it was an interesting fact. Bad acting and a ridiculous plot are the "highlights".

There are several examples I could mention as problems within this movie. But, I'll just note two small scenes that left me scratching my head. 1. The girls know that there is a madman loose in the house. They've even met him. Yet, when it comes time to get some sleep, they all go to their separate bedrooms. If you knew someone in the house wanted to kill you, wouldn't you want to remain as a group? 2. Toward the end of the movie, a dog suddenly comes bolting out of the house and attacks one of the guys in the group. Where did this dog come from? Did he suddenly materialize out of thin air? And, after he pushes the guy into the electric fence, where does the dog go and why doesn't he attack anyone else? These are just two of the mysteries of life.

Sisters of Death features Joe E. Tata who, I understand, appeared on Beverly Hills 90210.

3/10

Bloody Pit of Horror (1965)

- Il boia scarlatto

"My perfect body... in the poisonous clutches of The Lover Of Death!", 3 April 2005

Seeking locations to use for photographs for a series of horror books, a group stumbles on what they believe to be a deserted castle. The castle happens to have been the former home of The Crimson Executioner – a centuries old murderer who was himself put to death in his own castle, but not before putting a curse on anyone who enters his castle. Of course, the castle isn't deserted, but instead is the home of a retired actor seeking solitude. He allows the group to spend one night and get as many photos as they can. His one request - don't go into the dungeon. Naturally, our group of photographers and models immediately make a beeline for the lower levels of the castle and discover an array of torture devices. The devices, it seems, will make good props for their photos. But something goes wrong and one of the male models is killed by falling spikes. Was it an accident or is there a murderer in the castle? It's not long before other members of the group begin to disappear. Has The Crimson Executioner come back to make good on his threat?

I honestly don't know when I've had this much fun watching a movie. In general, I hate the term "so bad it's good". But in this case, I think it applies like nowhere else. Bloody Pit of Horror has most of the trappings that are present in movies I look for – a big creepy castle, a dungeon, torture devices, scantily clad women, and a bizarre madman bent on killing everyone. What the movie lacks, however, is effective atmosphere and believability. But, if you don't take things too seriously, it's a nice little ride.

The madman is played by the one time husband of Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay. Hargitay is one of those Mr. Universe types. While he may not be much of an actor, he is wonderful as The Crimson Executioner. There have been killers in other movies who enjoy their "work", but none can match the enthusiasm of The Crimson Executioner. Toward the end of the movie, he traps everyone who is still alive in his torture chamber. Watching him literally run and jump from one torture device to the next is like watching a kid on Christmas morning. He actually has an orgasmic look on his face as he puts one of his victims on the rack. And his "costume" is just too much. He wears red tights, a red hood, a black leather belt, and a black mask that covers his eyes.

Another thing to keep an eye (or ear) on is the dialogue. The Crimson Executioner has some of the "best" lines I've ever heard. He goes on and on about how perfect his body is. And, how he must kill the people who have come into his castle to preserve the purity of his body. My favorite of these monologues takes place in front of a mirror. As The Crimson Executioner applies a liberal coating of oil to his chest he says, "Mankind is made up of inferior creatures, spiritually and physically deformed, who would have corrupted the harmony of my perfect body." You just don't hear lines like that in just any old movie - it takes something special like Bloody Pit of Horror

There are so many other points of the movie I would like to write about, but they really must be seen to be believed. For example, The Crimson Executioner has a group of henchmen that dress in matching outfits. It's as if they're appearing on the 1960s Batman television program. Another example, the reaction of the crew after one of their co-workers is killed. Do they immediately leave the castle like normal people would? No - they decide to finish their work in the castle for extra money and call the police in the morning. Yet another example, the room with the giant spider web, mechanical spider, and arrows that shoot from the wall is simply sublime. I could go on for days.

7/10

Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)

It's probably not as bad as you've heard, 3 April 2005

Healthy men in a California town are dropping dead from coronary arrest. All died while having sex. A government investigator notices a resemblance between the men's deaths during sex and the sexual habits of bees. It's not long before he discovers that the town's women are being turned into bee-human hybrids.

There is enough goofiness to save this one from the bottom of the heap. Sure, it's got all the hallmarks of a bad movie – bad acting, weak effects, silly story – but there is a certain level of fun to be had. The absolute worst part of the movie, however, is a rape scene that's so "mean" it just doesn't fit with the rest of the silliness.

For those of you looking for nudity with your bad horror, there's quite a bit here to recommend. Look for "The Price is Right" model Anitra Ford.

4/10

To the Devil a Daughter (1976)

Where's the ending?, 3 April 2005

A defrocked priest sets up his own religious order. From the outside, it looks as if his "church" is based on Catholicism - complete with nuns. In reality, it's a Satanic cult. The time is growing near for one of the nuns to endure a ritual that will, in essence, turn her into Satan. Her father objects, even though he had entered into an agreement 18 years previous. It's up to an author and expert on the occult to save the girl's life.

This was the one Hammer film that I had wanted to see the most of those I hadn't already seen. And, for the most part, I enjoyed it. It may be slow moving, but it builds tension very nicely. Other than his performance in Rasputin: The Mad Monk, this may be Christopher Lee's finest hour as an actor. I loved his reaction immediately following the incredibly bloody birth scene. The camera slowly pans the faces of the other in attendance and you see the shock and revulsion clearly on their faces. But, as the camera moves to Lee's face, you see an equally shocking sight – a smile from ear to ear.

But my enjoyment of To the Devil a Daughter was quickly dampened by the ending. I can take a weak ending or even an ending that doesn't really make much sense. What I can't take, however, is a movie without an ending. To the Devil a Daughter literally has no ending. Apparently a thrown rock is all it takes to dispatch Satan's most loyal disciple. It left me very unsatisfied. To have spent almost 90 minutes building up to what should have been a very dramatic moment and to deliver absolutely nothing is unforgivable.

6/10