A portrait in the macabre from BLOOD MANIA.


stop long before this “fabulous” journey is done.


Next up is the only thriller in the set. Misleadingly sold to patrons as full-blown horror, BLOOD MANIA mixes a standard murder-for-money plot with a healthy dash of sleaze—plus a chaser that’s pure DIABOLIQUE. Rich-bitch Victoria Waterman (Maria De Aragon, completely un- recognizable as Greedo in STAR WARS, 1977) makes a good show of caring for her bed-rid- den father, but she’s simply bid- ing her time while tenderizing any hunk of male meat that happens by—including the family’s young male doctor (Peter Carpenter), who’s hard-up for some quick cash. This prompts Vickie to speed-up the process with amyl nitrate, sexily fondling herself in front of a mirror while waiting for dear old dad’s heart to explode. Predictably, the hoary old goat has the last laugh, willing all his millions to his other daughter (Vicki Peters), a sweet girl in a frighteningly voluminous blonde wig. This prompts the doc to switch his affections and Vickie


US one-sheet poster for


Jayne Mansfield’s final film, included in DRIVE-IN CULT CLASSICS VOL 3.


53


to go completely psycho, deal- ing out more death while paint- ing a grisly masterwork that teasingly remains hidden from our view till the very end. Adver- tising warned that the last 15 minutes would jolt spectators out of their seats—which is a stretch, to be kind; but even so, this is a surprisingly well-photographed and fun neo-noir, which has the feel of an early-’70s TV MOVIE OF THE WEEK, only with liberal amounts of female nudity. Adapted from a stage play by Gerald Sanford and directed by

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