Two days left. Contemplating the letter ‘Y’. Not very many options. The obvious choice that came to mind, was a mainstream film that most everyone would know. But I am sticking to my guns. I knew I would be cheating myself and you fellow viewers if I chose that film and took the easy way out. I don’t like to just pick and review films for popularity sake. I try to be honest to the genre. By sharing certain kinds of films with you fine folks, that would otherwise go unwatched. By being honest, if I can get just one person to go out of their comfort zone and watch a film they wouldn’t normally give a shit about, then I have done my job.
So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I picked another giallo film from Italy. It is an obscure, brutal and sexy open adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Black Cat. When it comes to Poe, I can’t think of a better author to cover during the Halloween season. So, let’s take a look at Sergio Martino’s Your Vice Is A Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972).
The story follows a drunken author Oliviero, in the midst a three-year writer’s block. Drowning himself in alcohol and sorrow, he’s known for throwing wild and crazed parties, much to the distaste of his wife. Things soon take a swift turn for the worst, when Oliviero’s old mistress turns up dead. Immediately Oliviero is the prime suspect. Other women start showing up dead as well. Lurking around every corner, seeing everything is the family cat, whose name happens to be Satan. Coincidently, Oliviero’s intriguing niece comes to visit as well. Where will this gothic tale of sensuality and distrust take us? 
This giallo is really suspense driven. The kills are especially good, nice and bloody, reminding us of what’s to come in the future with the slasher genre. The score is also moody and ambiguous, becoming sharp and tense during the kill scenes. Since this is a giallo, no one is above suspicion. This film is sexy, it’s dramatic and It’s pretty damn creepy. Including a twisted finale that I loved! So, this is why I believe it’s a fun and underrated flick to watch, if you are wanting to get creeped out around Halloween time.
IMDB: 6.9/10
ZombiSurvivor: 8.0/10
Well boils and ghouls there is only one day left for our ABC’s of Horror. Will you join us? Find out tomorrow what is in store for the letter ‘Z’.
-ZS
