YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY

Luigi Pistilli and Anita Strindberg

YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (aka Il tuo vizio e una stanza chiusa e solo io ne ho la chiave/1972). Director: Sergio Martino. 

Dissipated author Oliverio Rouvigny (Luigi Pistilli of The Case of the Scorpion's Tail), who has writer's block and is supposedly impotent, spends his time in his crumbling mansion being cruel to his wife, Irina (Anita Strindberg) and maid, Brenda (Angela La Vorgna). Oliverio instantly becomes a suspect when one of his mistresses, Fausta (Daniela Giordano of The Night of the Scorpion), is found slashed to death. More murders follow as the killer is seemingly unmasked. If this family weren't dysfunctional and toxic enough, along comes the Rouvigny's niece, Floriana (Edwige Fenech), a free spirit who sleeps with both aunt and uncle, and picks up an attractive boyfriend along the way. As a nasty cat named Satan runs around attacking Irina's doves and Irina herself, Floriana suggests a way she can rid herself of Oliverio ... 

Fenech and Strindberg

Your Vice is a wild giallo -- often ridiculous and illogical but always amusing -- that combines a mad slasher or two with marital discord, sadomasochism (of an emotional kind), and even a dollop of Edgar Allan Poe what with that black cat and its activities. Pistilli offers a virile portrait of an obnoxious monster, while Strindberg gives one of her best performances as his put-upon, dissatisfied wife. Fenech, despite her obvious assets, looks almost plain and boyish in this, especially compared to the gorgeous Strindberg. (Fenech only bares her breasts with male lovers, but is more modest when she gets it on with Strindberg. The lesbian aspects are clearly meant for titillation and not any insight into homosexual relationships. Director Martino probably couldn't resist putting two sex symbols of giallo films into bed together.)  Ivan Rassimov of The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardj -- also directed by Martino and starring Fenech -- has a small but pivotal role. 

Verdict: One strange household -- and lots of twists. ***. 

WHO SAW HER DIE?

George Lazenby

WHO SAW HER DIE? (aka Chi l'ha vista morire/1972). Director: Aldo Lado. 

Sculptor Franco Serpieri (George Lazenby) and his estranged wife, Elizabeth (Anita Strindberg of The Case of the Scorpion's Tail), are horrified when their young daughter, Roberta (Nicoletta Elmi) is the latest victim of a deranged child murderer. Meanwhile the unknown killer, who may or may not be female, begins obliterating anyone who knows the truth about his or her identity. As the body count rises, Franco begins to eye a number of suspects, including wealthy Serafian (Adolfo Celi of Ten Little Indians), his secretary and mistress Ginevra (Dominique Boschero of Secret Agent Fireball), her lover Philip (Peter Chatel), and others. It is no surprise when the maniac then targets Franco and his wife ... 

Anita Strindberg

George Lazenby had starred as James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service three years earlier, but it was his decision not to do any more 007 adventures, a decision he apparently regretted later on. Initially he is unrecognizable with his mustache and long hair, but he is also quite skinny, having lost a lot of weight since playing Bond. As most of the cast are dubbed in this it's impossible to truly judge the acting, but everyone seems credible and effective. Celi, of course, was the villain in Thunderball with Sean Connery. 

Adolfo Celi

Who Saw Her Die? has a very interesting and absorbing screenplay, although perhaps it's more convoluted and confusing than it needs to be. Filmed almost entirely in Venice, it benefits from great location shooting. Ennio Morricone's musical score consists of children's choruses, two of which are quite pretty, but the chorus he uses for murder sequences and the like quickly becomes intensely irritating. Despite its disjointed quality, Who Saw Her Die?  is suspenseful, and the identity of the killer may come as a surprise (although there's hardly anyone left at the end). 

Verdict: Intriguing giallo film with a very interesting cast. **3/4. 

THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL

George Hilton

THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL (aka La coda dello scorpione/1971). Director: Sergio Martino. 

Lisa Baumer (Ida Galli) discovers that her wealthy husband has died in a plane crash, and flies from London to Athens to claim a one million dollar insurance policy. Insurance investigator Peter Lynch (George Hilton) rescues her when her late husband's former mistress, Lara (Janine Reynaud), and a hulking associate, threaten her it she doesn't turn over half the money. Peter is confused to learn that Lisa cashed the insurance check and has booked a flight out of the country. Meanwhile a figure in a black mask, outfit and gloves, is attacking assorted people involved in the case with knives. Peter teams up with reporter Cleo Dupont (Anita Strindberg) to get to the bottom of things. 

Anita Strindberg

The Case of the Scorpion's Tail is a pleasant surprise, one of the few giallo films that has a truly interesting and twisty plot along with a few surprises. In that way it reminds one of a Dario Argento film except for the fact that Sergio Martino's direction is nowhere near as stylish as Argento's. However, there are still some good scenes in this, such as a suspenseful attack upon Lara in her gothic-like townhouse, and an exciting finale that reveals the true perpetrator. George Hilton, an attractive actor from Uruguay who appeared in a number of giallo films such as The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, gives a strong performance, as does the quite beautiful Swedish actress Anita Strindberg, as well as Reynaud as the bitchy Lara, Luigi Pistilli as Inspector Stavros, Alberto de Mendoza as an Interpol agent; and others. The title has to do with a pair of cufflinks found at a crime scene. If this movie only had somewhat better characterization and a much better musical score, it really would have been a contender, but it's quite entertaining as it is. NOTE: Not to be confused with The Night of the Scorpion or The Black Scorpion!

Verdict: Superior giallo. ***.