MovieChat Forums > The Killing Kind Discussion > Weird and wonderful

Weird and wonderful

posted 18 years ago by WarpedRecord
19 replies | jump to latest

I was fortunate enough to find a VHS copy of this film, and I was overwhelmed by its creepy effectiveness. John Savage was terrific as the emotionally tortured young man, as was Ann Sothern as his mother/enabler. Great performances as well by Cindy Williams, Ruth Roman and Luana Anders.

The IMDb user comment says this film was never given a theatrical release, and that doesn't surprise me. This is extremely dark subject matter that would have trouble finding an audience outside the drive-in, but the performances make it so much more than a grindhouse film.

Has anyone else seen it?

[–] kenolting 17 years ago

kenoltingYes as I was a big fan of Ann Sothern.Remember it playing on cable tv in the 80's.Ruth Roman was good in it too.

[–] WarpedRecord 17 years ago

You were lucky to see it on cable. It's too bad more people don't know about this. I hadn't heard of it until a friend gave me an old videotape. Ann Southern is terrific, and I love Ruth Roman in everything. Too bad she falls victim to the killing kind!

[–] deblasingstar 17 years ago

i found this on an awesome dvd c

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[–] WarpedRecord 17 years ago

Hey sunshinesuperman9, any idea on how wide a theatrical release and what types of venues "The Killing Kind" played? I suspect it may have been shown in grindhouses and drive-ins as opposed to mainstream venues. It's certainly not a mainstream film!

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[–] WarpedRecord 17 years ago

Do you know for sure that this was released theatrically? For what it's worth, the DVD bonus features of Curtis Harrington's "Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell" say it never was.

[–] Esther_7 16 years ago

It was released theatrically. I said it hadn't been, but was mistaken. I guess the Sheik was here to set everyone straight in his review though...anyhow, just saw the Harrington interview on the DVD - it didn't get national distribution due to the financiers, who gave the distribution to a know-nothing friend of theirs. It was released theatrically at a few theaters in a few states and that was it.

It sure is great to see a decent print for the first time ever. The performances are even better when you can see their faces clearly. Who'da thunk?

[–] Woodyanders 17 years ago

I'm a huge fan of this perverse and disturbing 70's psycho shocker. You'll be happy to know that Dark Sky Films is putting out a widescreen version of this fine feature on DVD this November. Extras include an interview with Curtis Harrington. Moreover, I wrote the IMDb bios for both Mr. Harrington and Luana Anders.

I enjoy keeping busy. Satan finds work for idle hands.

[–] WarpedRecord 17 years ago

That is excellent news! Dark Sky Films did a terrific job with another of my favorite films, "Magic," and I'm sure they'll treat this overlooked classic with the respect it deserves. I love the interviews with Mr. Harrington on the DVDs of "Ruby" and "Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell." He truly called it like he saw it, and he wasn't afraid to say what he *didn't* like about his films as well as what he did. Thanks so much for the update, Woodyanders. Sweet November!

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[–] Esther_7 16 years ago

Hee haw! He does give good interviews. He had nothing to lose by being honest about his thoughts on Hollywood, I suppose.

And that's right - it did say The Killing Kind wasn't released theatrically on the Devil Dog DVD. Take that, Sheik!

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[–] Woodyanders 12 years ago

Agreed. This is a very strong and unsettling portrait of everyday madness, despair, denial, repression, and the darker side of smothering motherhood. Savage and Southern were both superb in their roles, with bang-up support by Anders, Williams, and Roman. Pity that this sleeper suffered from poor distribution in its day, but at least the Dark Sky Films DVD offers a crisp widescreen presentation and a nicely opinionated interview with Curtis Harrington.

I'm a totally bitchin' bio writer from Mars!

[–] WarpedRecord 12 years ago

I expected to see you around these parts eventually, Woodyanders! This film is probably the crowning achievement from a director whose work always had a unique kick. I need to get the Dark Sky DVD to hear what Mr. Harrington said about my favorite film of his.

[–] activista 11 years ago

Just saw this---that was one definitely disturbing and creepy as hell flick--and the whole cast (including a pre-LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY Cindy Williams) were all very good. I thought maybe it wasn't well known because it didn't have a lot of big star names in it,but after reading the posts about it, I see why it didn't get the push it could have gotten.

[–] heyteegs (1207) 2 years ago

Just watched this for the first time. Weird and wonderful is about right. Ann Sothern and John Savage are such a team. And the supporting cast are excellent as well. So many beautiful composed shots and a script that is pretty tight.