Curse of the Black Widow, a TV-movie directed by Dan Curtis, holds a special place in the hell my heart really is. I saw the tape, or more the box, standing in the video store for so many years and I desperately wanted to see it! That never happen, and maybe ten years ago I found it on betamax - but I didn't have one of those players, and it's until now - on a bootleg from Modcinema - I finally had the pleasure to see it. Dan Curtis usually delivers quite low-key, not so cheesy TV-movies, but here we have a movie packed with that partically brand of delicatessen plus a bunch of actors who take themself very seriously.
A combination like that is awesome.
Just look at Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell, which might be the cheesiest TV-movie. It's extra enjoyable because the actors play the story straight. No tounge in cheek, no ironic glances in the camera. This is the real deal and it's silly as Satan's uncle Bob (don't ask).
Something is killing men, and the traces leads to a giant spider. Yes, that's true! A big damn spider! Tough cop Vic Morrow is investigating the case, but it's more the future Dario Argento-star Anthony Franciosa who takes the lead in this dance with spider webs. Can the killer be a woman? But how can there be traces of spider venom? The intrigue is getting thicker and the cheese more juicy, and soon we'll get a closer look at this terrible curse...of the Black Widow!
TV-movies are sure special, especially American one's from the seventies. But they're often smart and uses their low budget in intelligent ways. Can't say that about Curse of the Black Widow who manages to be surprisingly non-subtle both regarding the acting, the effects and the story itself. It feels more like a long episode of Kolchak, which of course isn't a bad thing. Also added to this basic creature feature/murder story is a classic TV-style mystery, right out from any episod of Columbo or Cannon. In that way it's pretty standard.
The twist ending is as absurd as you can expect, with both inspiration from De Palma and something right out from a fifities horror/monster movie, in severl different ways. This is awesome, and it's packed with rubber-style monster mayhem - not that spectacular maybe, we're still talking about a TV-movie here, but enough fun to entertain met at least. Another fine thing is the cast, which is surprisingly spectacular considering the silliness of the movie. Vic Morrow, H.B. Haggerty and Sid Caesar have more cameo-like parts, but Franciosa is a very competent lead.
It's - as usual - a pity it never got a good remastered release. It's cozy and creepy (wouldn't surprise me if the scared the shit out of some kids at the time - just wait for the twisted ending, with lots of spider web...) and better than it should be. The script is so-so, but the actors and director makes it all work in the end.
Sorry, this was one incoherent reviews. Or what to call it. Never again. Time to quit this and move on in life. Or something.
"Just look at Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell, which might be the cheesiest TV-movie."
I still haven´t seen this one.....even the title is awesome.
"TV-movies are sure special, especially American one's from the seventies. But they're often smart and uses their low budget in intelligent ways."
Yeah, some of them were surprisingly good.
"It feels more like a long episode of Kolchak, which of course isn't a bad thing. Also added to this basic creature feature/murder story is a classic TV-style mystery, right out from any episod of Columbo"
That´s not a bad combo.
"This is awesome, and it's packed with rubber-style monster mayhem - not that spectacular maybe, we're still talking about a TV-movie here, but enough fun to entertain met at least."
Are we talking man in suit now?
"The script is so-so, but the actors and director makes it all work in the end."
Sometimes the cast can make a whole movie.....
"Sorry, this was one incoherent reviews. Or what to call it. Never again. Time to quit this and move on in life. Or something."
No, I think it was a good review, I haven´t seen this one so I´m glad you reviewed, thanks Fred.
I don´t think you should quit.....
Posted by: Megatron | February 11, 2014 at 17:00