The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) aka La Ragazza Che Sapeva Troppo aka The Evil Eye

4 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: What Does It Want? What Will Satisfy Its Cravings?
Directed by: Mario Bava
Written by: Mario Bava, Enzio Corbucci
Actors include: John Saxon, Letícia Román, Valentina Cortese
Genre: Giallo, Thriller, Horror
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
So this is arguably the first giallo film, and although it's not my favorite it's still pretty darned amusing. It's actually Mario Bava's final black and white film which gives it a sort of class however I hate to say this but I'd rather it were in color. Thing is with gialli films there is often so much garish color and that is a huge tool in many of them. This doesn't rely on that obviously but it does have a good story, some interesting characters and plenty of little twists and even quite a sense of humor. When American girl Nora sees too much (go figure) she ends up being knocked out in near Trafalgar square. After she's taken to hospital she meets a charming Doctor Marcello (John Saxon who is so much younger here than I'm used to) who wants to help her. See the thing she saw was the latest victim of the Alphabet Murderer (killing by last name in order A, B and C are already dead) and she wants to try to solve the crime. Of course things get dangerous and there are surprises around every corner, but it's a pretty engaging little flick really. We do get the gloves, a giant set of stairs, various red herrings and well the stage is pretty well set for everything that followed (though I didn't spot a bottle of J&B...maybe I missed it?). Definitely one to watch though I hate to say I prefer the sleazier titles!

Availability:  On DVD

Cani Arrabbiati (1974) aka Kidnapped aka Wild Dogs aka Rabid Dogs aka A Man And His Boy

3.5 / 5 May '10
Tagline: Lock the doors, rollup the windows, and buckle up ... for the ride of your life!
Directed by: Mario Bava
Written by: Alessandro Parenzo
Actors include: Riccardo Cucciolla, Don Backy, Lea Lander
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Length: 96 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I was actually rather disappointed with this 'un, I mean I generally like Mario Bava productions and sleaze...well of course I like that. Thing was, I didn't find it gripping in the slightest, the characters were stereotypes and not very refreshing at all. The idea is that a robbery goes wrong so the three culprits involved kidnap a hostage, and a man and his dying child. They figure by taking the hostages they should be able to make a clean getaway. Much of the film is chatting in the car which is rather dreary and should have been filled with some sort of suspense, action or excitement. The beginning is nice and violent and appreciated, and sure some things in the film would be considered sleazy but it wasn't nearly what I was expecting in that department. The ending is something to be seen, I shant give anything away but it made the movie worth viewing. It just could have used a whole lot more of something, it felt very empty though I should mention the cinematography is very lovely! Definitely a disappointment but not without some merit.

Availability:  On DVD