mysteriesofedgarwallace

Over the last couple of nights I have watched two of the three remaining eps. of 'DEAD OF NIGHT' (BBC 1972)

This was an (allegedly) spooky tv series made by the BBC and shown in late 1972. It has no connection with the film of the same name.

'EXORCISM' is reckoned by many to be the most frightening thing ever shown on tv. Definately enjoyable, but I would be inclined to disagree.

'RETURN FLIGHT' is, on the whole, rather dreary. Even with the talents of Peter Barkworth.

Will probably watch 'A WOMAN SOBBING' tomorrow.

DB7

Girly (1969)

A pyscho-horror oddity from Freddie Francis. This film has echoes of both the brother/sister relationship in Goodbye Gemini and the fatal voyeurism of Peeping Tom, but chiefly revolves around a juvenile quartet living in a big country house who bring back strangers and keep them in the house as 'friends.' Their childlike game has a darker side - any guests not playing by the rules are severely punished. Following the death of the busty Imogen Hassall (hope she's in the sexiest actress thread), the children take home a new friend, the blackmailed Michael Bryant, who slowly comes to terms with his predicament and begins playing his four captors off against each other.

Creepy, engaging and very 70s (well 69), this lurid drama begins running out of steam plotwise midway thru but keeps you gripped to discover how the story resolves.

samkydd

According to IMDB she had dinner with him the previous evening and he was the first person to discover her body the next day!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Iain1962

Hi there.

Dark Side magazine is supposed to releasing this along with the other title you mentioned Goodbye Gemini. Have they released these already and if so were your comments based on their DVD? In inteviews with Freddie Francis he always bemoaned the apparent disappearance of Girly since he hadn't seen it since its premiere in 69 and it was one of the few films he made he had a soft spot for. I've never seen Goodby Gemini - what's that like/

Cheers.

Iain

Hair in the Gate - reviews of artefacts from the world of B-picture, exploitation and DTV entertainment:
My Webpage

DB7

No, based on a Prism video.

Shares a bit in common with Girly so I can understand them being packaged togther. In GG, the brother and sister are a few years older but equally nihilistic - within minutes of the opening they've killed the housekeeper in a juvenile manner. From there they sink into Chelsea's bohemian nightlife; chiefly sex, drugs and ultimately murder. Both sets of teens begin with an immature outlook and treat life as a 'game' until a sobering experience; Girly sleeping with New Friend and in GG the brother and the transvestite. In GG the brother and sister are closer and there's incest overtones.

Hope the mug was ok Iain! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]

DB7

Roy Boultings cold war thriller High Treason.

Reds under the Bed are sabotaging London's docks and intent on bringing the country to a standstill by blowing up a series of power stations. Anthony Nicholls is the MP hoping to gain power through his people's party and playing against-type Geoffrey Keen is a dock worker. Climaxes with a lively gun battle shot on location at Battersea Power Station.

JamesM

On the subject of 'Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly', Redemption / Salvation Films are meant to be releasing it on DVD. I have been on contact with Girly's writer, Brian Comport, and approached the company with the idea of recording a commentary for them with Brian Comport and Freddie Francis. I had not got to the stage of asking Freddie Francis but, especially if what has been said is true, I think that would have been a formailty. The company does not appear to have commissioned any audio commentaries for their titles so far and have passed the suggestion over for now. I imagine that they will be able to sell the film without one but I would have thought it might have put some value on it and raised there own profile. That's how Blue Anchor Bay / Blue Underground got their reputations. Sadly 'Mumsy' (Ursula Howells) has passed away since.

Yorkie

I watched Hideous Kinky (IMDB) on BBC last night.

Being set in Morocco, they had the access to some of the most beautiful locations in terms of film in the world. However, I was hardly blown away by what I thought was a disappointing structure. I think it moved too quickly at times, not dwelling on major aspects of the plot e.g. one of the daughters getting a serious illness forcing the family to search for a way of getting back to England. They seem often to get caught up in the surroundings. And although as I said, they were using some of the most beautiful backdrops available, the story seemed to be moved by what scenery there was rather than the important direction should have been in terms of character and narrative. There is a scene of about 5 minutes, taking in a journey to Algiers, which has no narrative purpose, it is simply a five minute montage of the sahara desert.

Did anyone else, or has anyone else seen this film? I'd be interested to know what others thought, as apparently the film has a cult following, and I can't see the reasons behind it other than the performances of the two daughters.

Rob

DB7

Death on the Set (1935)

Brisk crime drama set in the world of a London film studio involving a crooked director using a doppelganger to mask his crimes. Garry Marsh and Hay Petrie are the erstwhile coppers on the case.

Also the existing three episodes of Dead of Night which I found pretty disappointing and lacking in atmosphere.

mysteriesofedgarwallace

I agree. Exorcism was the better of the three. Return Flight was cack.

foha80

Melody (1971
Watched this with my family last night.I was viewing this with a very uncritical eye -I found this really charming from the performances of the children,the cameo's of the aldults to the wonderful music.
It made me smile but it was also a little bittersweet.



Terry

DB7

The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)

Couldn't really come to a conclusion on this film. It follows Sellers career chronologically so in many ways you know what major film or moment is to follow but whilst focusing on Sellers life and films it never really comes to grips with what made his tick; rather Sellers of the Boulting era, Sellers meets Blake, Sellers and Kubrick etc etc. At times the film opts for semi-documentary and apes Sellers own Super 8 footage but in an instant can jump to a garish 'film within a film' fantasy segments. I was unsure of Geoffrey Rush's portrayal at the beginning but as the film progresses his performance and look improve greatly until near the end it is tuned to perfection. Charlize Theron as Britt doesn't have a great deal of dialogue but also succeeds in her role with aplomb.

The film is based on Lewis' controversial biog but either was the Beebs three part The Unknown Peter Sellers gives a far greater insight.

Steve Crook

It's the film that gets some of the highest numbers of enquiries here and on similar boards.
I get quite a lot or people asking about it as direct email queries as well.

Steve

penfold

Where did you get hold of this DB7...would love to see it...

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

DB7

http://www.sinistercinema.com/

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