I was appalled to discover, darlings, that Universal Pictures put this one out, because the cheap way it was shot, the barely known actors who were used, made a product from American-International Pictures look like MGM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally, this was to be titled "The Water Witch," because Carolyn Kearney, as Jessica Burns, who spends most of the movie in a state suggesting something between "The Crucible" and "The Song Of Bernadette," spends much of her time, walking around with a finding stick that she has the power to use. This leads to a chest with a dead head being found, that hypnotizes those who carry it around do his bidding, which makes for some great moments, the best being when Linda (Andra Martin) turns into a bitch, and slaps her fiance, Hank, across the face, laughing malevolently at the idea of marrying him. Not to mention when Jessica, under the influence, poses in a sexy ccocktail dress, complete with pearls and heels--which are strictly off the rack, girls; no high end Hollywood design here!--and demands Hank paint her, not Linda. The only thing missing was a potential cat fight, which I know we would all loved to have seen.
The head and the body have been buried on different spots of Aunt Flavia McIntyre's ranch. Aunt Flavia, played full out camp by Peggy Converse, really got on my nerves; I kept hoping the thing would get her, as her avaraciousness is so over the top; get a grip! And how about James Anderson (brother of Mary, who was in "The Song Of Bernadette," and played Bob Ewell in "To Kill A Mockingbird") and Charles Horvath, as farm hands Boyd and Mike, clearly standins for George and Lennie of Steinbeck's "Of Mice And Men?" Why replicate this masterpiece at the expense of a less than B picture?
The whole thing involves the puzzle of finding the body to put toggether with the head--like Mr. Potato Head, girls!!!!!!!!!--when the thing CAN finally die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By this time, despite Svengoolie's and sweet Kerwin's best efforts, I was almost asleep! But I did sleep well that night!
This may be the only film in history to end with a cleavage shot. At least, as far as I have seen!
Fun, in a bizarre sort of ways, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And everyone gets a head shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 comments:
The Movie That Would Not End lol
I’ve been to a few of those!!
Victoria,
Haven't we all? This
had potential, but was not
realized!
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