PRETTY POISON (1968). Director: Noel Black.
A twisted romance develops between a disturbed young man named Dennis Pitt (Anthony Perkins of
Chillers) and an even more disturbed young woman named Sue Ann Stepanek (Tuesday Weld). Pitt, who was institutionalized for a time, draws Sue Ann into games in which he pretends he's a CIA agent involving her in his dangerous assignments. This leads to more than one murder and a plot by Pitt to get even with the man who fired him. Reasonably entertaining film holds the attention and features some good performances -- especially from Beverly Garland as Sue Ann's unpleasant mother -- and is very well photographed by David Quaid. Good supporting performances from John Randolph and Dick O'Neill (of
Gammera, the Invincible). Screenplay by Lorenzo Semple Jr. Noel Black also directed
Prime Suspect.
Verdict: Some good moments but nothing really special. **1/2.
Tried to watch this one but fell asleep; I didn't find it riveting despite the cast. In fact, come to think of it, the only Tuesday Weld performance I find extraordinary is her supporting role as Diane Keaton's troubled sister in Looking for Mr. Goodbar. She was very good in that one...nothing else I've seen her in is that memorable.
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Now, Looking for Mr. Goodbar is something I must see (or see again, since I think I saw it in the theater years ago). Weld had a long career -- from Dobie Gillis onward -- but no, I never found her an especially compelling performer. Pretty Poison got a lot of press when it opened, but it isn't really very good, is it?
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