| House of Psychotic Women (1973) Dir: Carlos Aured Cast: Paul Naschy, Diana Lorys, Eva Leon, Maria Perschy, Eduardo Calvo Not Rated, Approx: 89 minutes. VidAmerica (Currently Out of Print) |
| Coming across this title in the video store, it may be hard to believe that beneath the sleazy looking cover (which makes the film appear as though it will be a disgusting exploitation film) lies an exceptionally well made giallo from the early 70's. Whereas most gialli emerged from Italy in the early 70s, it's odd to note that House of Psychotic Women hails from Spain (I believe this to be one of the very few giallo films to come from Spain). |
| When mysterious drifter Gilles (Paul Naschy) comes strolling into a spanish village seeing employment, he takes up a caretaking job at the home of three sisters, all of whom suffer from various physical and psychological disorders. Nicole is a nymphomaniac who lusts after Gilles almost immediately after he arrives, then there's Yvette, the wheelchair bound sister, very bitter in regards to her condition and towards her older sister, Claude. Claude oversees all matters of the house and also suffers from a disfigurement on her right hand (she's missing three fingers and appears to have been badly burned for there are scars covering her arm). Making regular trips to the house also are the village doctor, who believes the crippled Yvette will walk again, and a shady new nurse (filling in for their regular nurse who vanished without a trace). All of these characters help render the home a haven for great secrets, for everybody has something to hide. Added to the mix, is a psychotic madman who begins stalking the town and begins murdering blonde women with blue eyes only to carve out the eyes after the victims have died. |
| House of Psychotic Women is miles better than its title would imply, fans of 70's gialli such as The Bird With the Crystal Plumage, Don't Torture a Duckling or Solange will also greatly enjoy this film. The film builds up slowly, painting several well established characters in the first thirty minutes before plunging them into the middle of a bloody mystery. As for the story itself, it's never dull and manages to serve up a great finish to the proceedings with a surprising twist. Even when the film tends to get a little goofy (wait until you see Gilles' flashbacks!) it never stops being enjoyable. Some may find it difficult to supress laughter once they hear the unique musical score, but it's quite fitting for this unique film and really gives it a flavor that's almost all its own. Viewers looking for something a little different or off-beat don't have to look any more, this film is definately it. Director Aured also helmed the Alice Cooper howler Monster Dog. |
| Original Spanish title: Los Ojos Azules de la Muneca Rota, it was also released in a cut version here in the US called House of Doom and also, what I understand, an uncut release titled Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll. |
| Matt's Rating: **** (out of 5) |
| Reviewed by Matt Serafini 1/23/02 |
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