KNIFE OF ICE

Carroll Baker

KNIFE OF ICE (aka Il coltello di ghiaccio/1972). Director: Umberto Lenzi. 

Martha (Carroll Baker) has been mute since her parents were killed in a train disaster and they threw her out a window to safety. Now she lives with her Uncle Ralph (Jorge Riguad) and her cousin, Jenny (Ida Galli of The Case of the Scorpion's Tail), as well as the sinister driver Marcos (Eduardo Fajardo of The Murder Mansion), housekeeper Mrs. Britton (Silvia Monelli), and the British maid Rosalie (Olga Gherardi). When Jenny is found dead in the garage, it develops that there was already another blond victim of an unknown killer. Now the police fear that Martha will be the next to be targeted. The main suspect is a devil worshipper named Randy Mason (Mario Pardo), but there are others: the mayor, Father Martin (Jose Marco), and the smooth and attractive Dr. Laurent (Alan Scott), who has been treating both Martha and her uncle. 

Baker with Alan Scott

This is the final collaboration between star Baker and director Lenzi, and it's arguably the least interesting. Although it does work up a bit of suspense towards the very end, the pacing is generally too slow and the characters are not that interesting. Jean Sorel is sorely missed as well, as Martha is given no real love interest. The twist ending to this doesn't quite convince, but the film is well-acted by all. Alan Scott was an American actor who did most of his films in Europe. 

Verdict: Disappointing Baker-Lenzi mystery flick. **1/2.