RING OF FIRE-(1961)-David Janssen (2 years before THE FUGITIVE TV show) stars as a sheriff kidnapped by three bank robbers (future "Riddler" Frank Gorshin, Joyce Taylor, James Johnson) and forced to lead them through the Oregon forest. It's ok at this point. One of the thugs falls off a cliff and Gorshin and Taylor are captured by a huge posse but an errant cigarette sets the woods ablaze. Janssen has to save the day and romance Taylor.
The forest fire SFX are very well done and bring the movie up an notch.
RING OF FIRE was produced by the husband and wife team of Andrew and Virginia Stone. Andrew directed and Virginia edited (a key to the whole climax). Their previous film had been a disaster epic THE LAST VOYAGE where they actually sank a real ocean liner!
THE STRANGLER-1963-This black & white thriller stars Victor Buono as a lab technician driven to strangling young nurses by his nagging, domineering wheelchair bound mother (future Grandma Walton Ellen Corby). A milk drinking detective trys to catch him while Russ Bender portraying a psychiatrist explains what a fetish is.
Buono (an underrated actor) gives an intense performance as the cool headed killer. Also with Wally Campos and James B. Sikking. Director Burt Topper later made SOUL HUSTER with Nai Bonet and Fabian.
Thanks for reading!
1 comment:
I believe The Strangler was made to cash in on The Boston Strangler murders, so it's a lot better than it really should be (thanks mainly to Buono, who is always great).
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