150 Movies You Should Die Before You See - Miller Steve [68]
The Worst Script Award goes to … Raúl Artigot, Juan Cortéz, Félix Fernández and José Truchado for writing a story that is incoherent from beginning to end. Maybe they should have shown each other the pages they wrote before shooting began?
And the Strangest Witch Coven Award goes to … The witches who perform a ritualistic jazz ballet in the mountains of Spain. (When they aren't stealing cars.)
They Really Said It!
Mario: For a moment there, I thought I had all these voices in my head.
Delia: You must have been dreaming.
Betcha Didn't Know
American-born Patty Shepard retired from acting in 1988 after a career that spanned two decades and more than forty-five film appearances.
Victor Israel, who appears as the creepy wall-eyed inn keeper in this film, appeared in over 150 films, ranging from classics like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly to drek like The Witches' Mountain. He passed away in September 2009.
Trivia Quiz
In what film does Patty Shepard appear as an immortal witch?
A: Black Sunday (1977)
B: The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
C: Burn, Witch, Burn! (1962)
D: The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman (1971)
Answer: D. The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman, in which she plays Countess Wandesa Dárvula de Nadasdy.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
STRANGE SUPERHEROES
In recent years, comic book adaptations have been big at the box office. Once again, comics are cool, and it's okay for adults to read them. The last time that marketing hook was cast out was in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Well, here are a few comic book movies that may well shock and appall the average fan of Wolverine's cinematic exploits. (For what it's worth, I love comics … and I think the first Iron Man movie will be remembered as one of the very best films of the past decade.)
DANGER: DIABOLIK
Dino De Laurentiis Cinematographic/Marianne Productions, 1968
PRODUCERS Dino DeLaurentiis and Bruno Toden
WRITERS Mario Bava, Dino Maiuri, Brian Degas, and Tudor Gates (script), Angela Giussani and Luciana Giussani (story and original characters)
DIRECTOR Mario Bava
STARS John Phillip Law (Diabolik), Marisa Mell (Eva Kant), Michel Piccoli (Inspector Ginko), and Aldolfo Celi (Ralph Valmont)
The long-standing rivalry between the mysterious super-thief Diabolik (Law) and police inspector Ginko (Piccoli) becomes personal when Ginko forces a top gangster (Celi) to take action against his foe and the love of Diabolik's life, Eva (Mell), is caught in the middle.
Why It Sucks
Although a mostly faithful adaptation of the Italian comic book it is based on, the film fails to capture the relationship between Ginko and Diabolik. And, like so many comic book adaptations, it inadvertently reveals how ridiculous the characters are. Diabolik's mask works fine when it's a drawing. Put it in a live action film, and it's pretty painful.
Thumbs Down Rating:
The Crappies
The Special Achievement in the Area of Not Knowing When to Quit Award goes to … Mario Bava. He insists on tacking on one final heist for Diabolik, one that deflates the ending of the movie.
And the Worst Production Design goes to … Mario Bava. As excellent as the production designs and cinematography on the film are, Bava on more than one occasion shows off his artistry to the point where it detracts from the film and makes some scenes downright boring.
They Really Said It!
Diabolik: If you didn't see him, he was there.
Betcha Didn't Know
Mario Bava had access to a budget of $3 million for this movie, but he was so in the habit of working on tiny productions that he made it for around $400,000.
The film is an adaptation of one of the longest and most popular Italian comic books. It was created by sisters Angela Giussani and Luciana Giussani.
Trivia Quiz
What was the profession of John Phillip Law's father, John Law?
A: Attorney in Washington State
B: Sheriff's deputy in Los Angeles County
C: Second-in-command to a New Jersey Mafia boss
D: Criminal investigator for the United States Navy
Answer: B. John Law was the sheriff's deputy in Los Angeles County.
MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND
New Regency