Late Castle

LET'S KILL UNCLE-1966-Shock/gimmick director William Castle was nearing the end of his long career when he made this weird talky mystery that takes place mostly on a secluded island.

A bratty kid named Barnaby (Pat Cardi) is the heir to his deceased father's fortune. He goes to the island to meet his only other relative, his uncle Kevin (Nigel Green who was in KHARTOUM the same year). Accompanying Barnaby is a police sergeant (Robert Pickering) and the same aged Chrisse (Mary Badham) who's going to visit her aunt (Linda Lawson) who lives on the island. Before the uncle arrives the kids get into some trouble at an abandoned hotel who's only occupant is Ketchman (Ref Sanchez) a legless, scar faced fisherman who has a shark in the hotel's swimming pool. Once the uncle arrives it's obvious he wants to do away with his nephew but since the kid is a braggart and liar no one believes him. He and Chrissie decide to kill "Unk" first.

There's a lot of false scares and talk and the ending is kind of idiotic. Also with Nestor Paiva as a ship captain. Cardi was a busy child actor on TV in the '60's and starred in the low budget horror film TWISTED BRAIN in 1974. He later created Moviefone.

Badham was nominated for a Academy Award in 1962 for her role as Scout in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD but never did much else. After a almost 40 year absence she returned to the screen in OUR VERY OWN in 2005. Lawson was later in MRS. STONE'S THING with Ed Wood! Castle made 4 more movies after this and died in 1977. Sometimes called LET'S KILL UNCLE BEFORE HE KILLS US.

Thanks for reading!