La rossa dalla pelle che scotta (1971)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Renzo Russo

Writer:

Renzo Russo (writer)

Release Date:

1 November 1973 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller

Cast

Farley Granger	...	John Ward
Erika Blanc	...	The Sensuous Doll
Krista Nell	...	The Subservient Doll
Ivana Novak	...	Mala
Venantino Venantini
Aydin Terzel
Umberto Di Grazia
Giorgio Dolfin
Fatma Karanfil
Filippo Perrone
Erol Keskin

Also Known As:

Sweet Spirits (USA) (video title)
The Red Headed Corpse (USA)
The Sensuous Doll (USA)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

Italy | Turkey

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

SaNa Film

Intriguing reverse-giallo

I found this video, used, at a Mom-and-Pop video store in an obscure little town in Oregon (like vinyl and book aquisitions, look for out-of-the-way places). The video box boasted the Private Screenings label, usually known for releasing European and American soft-core features from the 60s and 70s. What interested me was the presence of Erika Blanc and Farley Granger. The box itself boasted an annonymous tart that had no connection with the movie.

What evolves is a (poorly edited) Italian giallo told in basically reverse order. Granger is an alcoholic artist bereft of inspiration, who may (or may not) be visited by a mute beauty borne of a lifeless mannequin (?) Granger had previously been involved with temptress Erika Blanc, and may (or may not) have murdered her. To tell more would reduce the fun quotient. Beware the Private Screenings release if you can. At least two scenes have been cut, and a rearranged sequence throws the narrative out of whack. Still, an interesting find and worth the hunt, especially for fans of Euro-babe Erika Blanc.