Comeback Of Savage Intruder In Hollywood Horror House
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:32 am
If SUNSET BLVD and WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE had a love child it would be HOLLYWOOD HORROR HOUSE aka THE COMEBACK aka SAVAGE INTRUDER, produced anywhere between 1968 - 1970, depending on the source. Directed by Donald Wolfe.
Miriam Hopkins seemed to arrive a little late on the Horror Hag scene, but she makes quite an impact on this seldom seen exploitation film. A little bit Norma Desmond, a little bit Baby Jane Hudson, she plays former film star, Katherine Packard who is attempting one of those famous "comebacks". She gets drunk, falls down the stairs while greeting imaginary fans, and screams a lot! Her raspy voice and broad mannerisms eerily recall her nemesis, Bette Davis.
I once tried to make a list of aging female stars who consented to exhibit themselves in these gothic horror ventures at the end of their careers, but the list got too long. So I'll focus on those who exploited their own careers by playing copies of their former selves on screen. Boozy, washed-up for movie star, Katherine Packard, watches old Miriam Hopkins movies, just as Norma Desmond watches old Gloria Swanson movies, confusing their "real" selves with their "reel" selves. (Ida Lupino did it too, on TV, for Twilight Zone's "16mm Shrine")
This film has a lot to say about the decaying state of Hollywood in the late 60's early 70's, especially in the wake of the grisly murders of Ramon Novarro and Sharon Tate. The opening credits show the Hollywood sign in a state of decay and disrepair, falling apart along with Tinseltown itself, to the invasion of Hippies, the Drug Culture, and indifference. A tour bus pulls up alongside the rode in the Hollywood Hills, so a girl can step outside to puke. It is the perfect place to tell a terrible tale of a psychopathic serial killer who insinuates himself into the private life of our aging female movie star.
What sets this exploitation slasher film apart from the rest is its Hollywood pedigree. Besides Miriam Hopkins, the cast includes another great star of the golden days, Gale Sondergaard who gives a credible performance under the harshest of lighting. For the psycho, we have John David Garfield, the son of another great, John Garfield. In a bit part there is Minta Durfee, former Mrs Roscoe Arbuckle. And, according to the credits, this was all filmed at the mansion of Norma Talmadge. Nostalgia buffs will take note of the annual Santa Claus Lane Parade, which ushured in the holiday season each year.
To be sure, this is a slasher picture indeed. But the real horror is when 68 year old Hopkins places a passionate lip lock on 25 year old Garfield, and lies on her massage table in the nude.
Sure there are worse movies than this. In fact, "Hollywood Horror House" does try to rise above itself and gives plenty of suspense and surprise turns, although it could benefit with some tighter editing.
Danny
Miriam Hopkins seemed to arrive a little late on the Horror Hag scene, but she makes quite an impact on this seldom seen exploitation film. A little bit Norma Desmond, a little bit Baby Jane Hudson, she plays former film star, Katherine Packard who is attempting one of those famous "comebacks". She gets drunk, falls down the stairs while greeting imaginary fans, and screams a lot! Her raspy voice and broad mannerisms eerily recall her nemesis, Bette Davis.
I once tried to make a list of aging female stars who consented to exhibit themselves in these gothic horror ventures at the end of their careers, but the list got too long. So I'll focus on those who exploited their own careers by playing copies of their former selves on screen. Boozy, washed-up for movie star, Katherine Packard, watches old Miriam Hopkins movies, just as Norma Desmond watches old Gloria Swanson movies, confusing their "real" selves with their "reel" selves. (Ida Lupino did it too, on TV, for Twilight Zone's "16mm Shrine")
This film has a lot to say about the decaying state of Hollywood in the late 60's early 70's, especially in the wake of the grisly murders of Ramon Novarro and Sharon Tate. The opening credits show the Hollywood sign in a state of decay and disrepair, falling apart along with Tinseltown itself, to the invasion of Hippies, the Drug Culture, and indifference. A tour bus pulls up alongside the rode in the Hollywood Hills, so a girl can step outside to puke. It is the perfect place to tell a terrible tale of a psychopathic serial killer who insinuates himself into the private life of our aging female movie star.
What sets this exploitation slasher film apart from the rest is its Hollywood pedigree. Besides Miriam Hopkins, the cast includes another great star of the golden days, Gale Sondergaard who gives a credible performance under the harshest of lighting. For the psycho, we have John David Garfield, the son of another great, John Garfield. In a bit part there is Minta Durfee, former Mrs Roscoe Arbuckle. And, according to the credits, this was all filmed at the mansion of Norma Talmadge. Nostalgia buffs will take note of the annual Santa Claus Lane Parade, which ushured in the holiday season each year.
To be sure, this is a slasher picture indeed. But the real horror is when 68 year old Hopkins places a passionate lip lock on 25 year old Garfield, and lies on her massage table in the nude.
Sure there are worse movies than this. In fact, "Hollywood Horror House" does try to rise above itself and gives plenty of suspense and surprise turns, although it could benefit with some tighter editing.
Danny