The Giallo Thread

[Rondadoronron]

Here's another Gothic giallo: Sex of the Witch



It's a VERY trashy film featuring Camille Keaton in a minor role and a witch named Evelyn (like all Gothic giallo villianesses) who uses a gender bending killer to kill sex-crazed inheritors with his/her "Javanese razor claw rings".

[bdc]

Originally Posted by tele1962

Has anyone got news on....The Strange Colour Of Your Body's Tears.....

Exclusive short clip up here:

"L'Étrange Couleur des larmes de ton corps" : un extrait exclusif - Les Inrocks

Announced for a March theatrical release in France.

[bdc]

Giallo - A Tribute on Vimeo

[bdc]

It's reported that the Camera Obscura dvd of Top Sensation will be oop soon.
I can see this fetching crazy prices once oop,so if you're interested don't wait too long.

[bdc]

First English language review up:
Nine Guests for a Crime (Nove ospiti per un delitto) – 10,000 Bullets

[bdc]

Second one:

Nine Guests for a Crime (Nove ospiti per un delitto) @ Mondo Digital

[bdc]

Neglected but solid Lenzi giallo.

[davcol]

My favourite Giallo films are :
Orgasmo, 1969, Umberto Lenzi.
This came out around the same time as Bird im not sure which came first. The story revolves around a beautiful widow ( Carroll Baker ) who is seduced by a hip younger bloke ( Lou Castel ). Things take a sinister turn when his sister arrives unexpectedly.
Bird with the Crystal Plumage, 1969, Dario Argento.
Wether or not this is the first Giallo or not its certainly the most influential. I must try and get a decent copy of this.
Torso, 1972, Sergio Martino.
You could argue this is more horror than giallo but i consider it the latter. Very influential film in many ways and the scenes where the lead character ( Suzy Kendall )is hiding in the bedroom are thrilling.
The Psychic, 1977, Lucio Fulci.
I just seen this recently so its very fresh in my mind, this is more a traditional thriller than Giallo. I think this may be Fulci`s best work, its certainly up there with Zombie Flesh Eaters and better than Lizard in a Womans skin and Dont Torture a Duckling in my mind.
Nine Guests for a Crime, 1977, Ferdinando Baldi.
This is a less celebrated but very entertaining gory tale set on a remote island where a dysfunctional rich family are holidaying at the family villa until a face from the past returns..... the recent Camera Obscura dvd is well worth checking out even if a tad expensive.
A Blade in the Dark, 1983, Lamberto Bava.
This latter entry into the genre had me captivated the first time i saw it on a Vipco dvd. This is Bava jr best film in my opinion. I have recently ordered the Blue Underground version on a Midnight Movies compilation along with Shock and Macabre.
These are just a few there are many others tho i consider the likes of Suspiria and Inferno horror films rather than Giallo. As for one i would give a miss Cold Eyes of Fear is one of the most boring films i have ever had the bad fortune to sit through. I can see why Castellari made mainly action films.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by davcol

Bird with the Crystal Plumage, 1969, Dario Argento.
Wether or not this is the first Giallo or not its certainly the most influential. I must try and get a decent copy of this.

Nice post Davcol.

Just a couple of thoughts on the above film.

It's not the first Gialli by a long way, nor i would argue is it the most influential.

Bava's The Girl Who Knew Too Much from 1963 is credited as the first of the genre.

Blood and Black Lace (1964) also from Bava is probably the most influential of any Giallo film and was a direct influence on The Bird with the Crystal Plumage