I remember when this film came out, back in 1965. Even then, its plot sounded familiar.
Two teen-aged girls, with nothing better to do, make random phone calls to strangers, using the phone book. When said person answers, they utter the movie's title line, "I Saw What You Did (And I Know Who You Are!)".
If this sounds like 1979's "When A Stranger Calls," or the Drew Barrymore opening sequence of 1996's "Scream" (my God, the film is twenty five years old, already!), or even 1997's "I Saw What You Did Last Summer," you are not only on the right track, but probably know already what you are in for. I have a feeling this premise, or variants on it, have been used in previous films, like 1952's "Don't Bother To Knock," with Marilyn Monroe, or even Bobby Driscoll's 1949 triumph, "The Window."
So, don't look for much. Count very much on Kerwyn and Svengoolie to liven things up.
The film will be most disconcerting and disappointing to Joan Crawford Mavens? What is such a creature? Allow me--
That's right! A man--generally gay, but not necessarily--so devoted to Joan he dresses up as the character, according to whatever film of hers he is watching.
This is a William Castle film, and the year before, 1964, Joan played that crazy bitch we all know and love--Lucy Harbin, in "Strait-Jacket"-- with Diane Baker, as Carol, her even more demented daughter. Joan had a history of bad daughters, both onscreen and off.
Now, for those who don't know the story, she was originally cast with Bette Davis, as Miriam Deering, the White Trash northern cousin to Charlotte Hollis in what was to be director Robert Aldrich's follow-up to 'Baby Jane,' "Hush....Hush, Sweet Charlotte." Joan left the production, and Olivia De Havilland stepped in, and she was a rip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But, Joan needed a film, and for her classic work in "Strait-Jacket," Castle had a part written in for her in "I Saw What You Did (And I Know Who You Are)." However, Joan's screen time is minimal--maybe as low as five minutes--and she worked on the film for only four days. So, Joan Mavens, be forewarned.
Those looking for a howling good time are sure to laugh along with us--David, Baby Gojira, Kerwyn, and myself. Especially since, with the advancement of technology, this film would not play out like this, but as a cyber stalker thriller, where the culprit would be easier to trace than fifty six years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A little Joan is better than none! So, join us for the fun, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!
See you all on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 comments:
I remember “crank calls” back in the day
And Obscene Phone Calls. Us young girls were told to blow a whistle into the receiver
Victoria,
I grew up hearing about the trick
of blowing the whistle into the receiver.
But now, with technology, things have
gotten more insidious, and dangeerous.
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