Did 1971's "The Abominable Dr. Phibes" Foreshadow David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive," Thirty Years Later?????????????????????

                                     I found myself asking this question last Saturday eve, as I watched the "Svengoolie" broadcast.  The visuals bordered on the garish; so much it felt as though I were watching a David Lynch film.  Unfortunately, for all who watched, the visuals were the best part.  Because of station problems that were eventually corrected, all of 'Phibes' suffered from poor sound quality and picture fragmentation.  The hard British accents did not help us to understand the oft times witty dialogue.  And I did not know, till Svengoolie explained it, that Vincent Price's dialogue was pre-recorded and spoken through a gramophone.    Shades of "House Of Wax," "Theater Of Blood," and yes, "Mulholland Drive."

                                     Next week, Svengoolie is showing the sequel, "Dr. Phibes Rises Again.  It will feature a new Vulnavia, as the last one, played by Virginia North, was drowned in acid.  She will be played by Valli Kemp in the second film.

                                       Just look at this shot!  Could this have been influenced by Sondheim's "FOLLIES," or vice versa?????????????????????????????

                                                                           

                                         But, really, darlings, this was the week when "Sventoonie" was better than "Svengoolie."  His deconstruction of "A Bucket Of Blood," a 1959 Roger Corman gem I had never heard of, was a sendup of "House Of Wax," the California beatnik movement, and the horror genre.  It digs beat culture, with an outsider, Walter Paisley, played by Dick Miller, wanting to be "in," and failing miserably, until--now get this, girls!!!!!!!!!--he accidentally spills plaster over an already dead cat, and is declared a sculpture genius.  He is accepted by the beat culture, who want more work from him, which means he has to kill and pour plaster over dead bodies.  I am telling you, girls, this was the campiest.  Also appearing in this film was Barboura Morris, as Carla, who also appeared in the 1959 camp classic "The Wasp Woman."  I recognized her at once!

                                            It was a strange Saturday evening, girls, but an entertaining one!

                                             Dig that crazy beatnik beat, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!