What do you get when you combine Mario Bava, Tudor Gates,
the Woolner Brothers and Antonio Margheriti? You get NAKED...YOU DIE! This is a
project that started out as a Woolner production to be directed by Bava but
ended up eventually being made by Margheriti. According to Tim Lucas the Gates
script remained intact but he faults the film for not being as well crafted a
film as Bava would have directed. He may have a point but the joys of this film
shine through regardless of any possible 'what ifs'.
John Hudson joins me again to dig into this Margheriti
thriller - or is it a giallo? There certainly are black gloves and a number of
beautiful young ladies meet an early death. There is a semi-effective police
investigation and an ersatz Nancy Drew sneaking around trying to solve the
murders taking place on the gorgeous, sun dappled campus of an all girl's
college. There are half a dozen possible killers with a multitude of potential motives.
There are secretive sexual liaisons, hidden homosexual relationships, leering criminal
habits, odd exercise regimens and even some strange vanities that point toward likely
guilt. So, the film has a number of the classic elements that would make this a
giallo, I guess. But which of these clues are more than simply suspicious and
which ones will lead to the serial murderer in the school? If you've ever
watched an Italian mystery you know that just following the breadcrumbs might
not get you anywhere but this one plays fair. Mostly.
Mr. Hudson and I lounge poolside with the young girls of St.
Hilda's College, skulk around the Bughouse with Professor Andre, shake our
fingers at the local Peeping Tom and
fall in love with the wonderful character of Jill as she uses her new
walkie-talkies to put herself in danger - or try to solve the crimes. Michael
Rennie may be the cop in charge but it's Jill that eavesdrops her way into our
hearts! We do take a couple of short unrelated side roads during this episode
and I do apologize for the derision I heap on Marky Mark. I promise not to do
that again! If you have any comments about the show or suggestions for future
Margheriti films to cover we can be reached at thebloodypit@gmail.com or on the
Facebook page. Thank you very much for listening to the show! And don't stand
so close to me.
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