Una forca per due

If you seen the overrated Diabolique and similarly overrated Seance on a Wet Afternoon, and liked them, then you will probably like this film. On the other hand, if you are like me and intensely dislike movies which pretend to be supernatural thrillers but which ultimately are not supernatural in nature, then you probably won't like this one. To be clear, unlike what some other reviewers have claimed, this is not a supernatural movie; there is no supernatural content. In addition, anyone who has seen thrillers of this kind - they usually involve a love triangle and infidelity - will probably find The Woman Who Wouldn't Die fairly predictable. I honestly can't understand the appeal of this kind of movie. It falls within an always-disappointing thriller sub-genre.

The debut feature of underrated director Gordon Hessler ("The Oblong Box", "Cry of the Banshee") is a sadly obscure but effectively sinister and compelling horror/mystery, with stellar performances, stupendous fright-moments, and an ingenious climax. The basic plot-idea is clearly inspired by the French über-classic "Les Diaboliques", but approximately three hundred movies stole from that film, so you can't really hold that against "Catacombs". Trampled husband wants to get rid of his domineering wife, so that he can inherit her fortune and run off with her much younger and prettier niece. He finds an ally in his wife Ellen's oppressed business partner, but nothing goes as planned. I won't go too much into detail of the plot, as it is much more fun to discover for yourself, but I do want to highlight the masterfully tense sequences at the cottage (never thought the sound of a ticking cane could feel so ominous), and the chemistry between Gary Merrill and Georgine Cookson. "Catacombs" really deserves to be better known!

Catacombs is based on the novel of the same name written by Jay Bennett, it might suggest a Gothic horror but there are no catacombs in this movie and I think that the American title of "The Woman Who Wouldn't Die" is more suitable. Gary Merrill (who was once married to Bette Davis) stars as Raymond, the hen pecked husband of successful business woman Ellen (Georgina Cookson). When her young niece Alice comes to visit she and Ray start an unlikely affair, she is very attractive whereas he, with his comb-over hair, is old enough to be her father. Ellen catches them in the act, later on Ray kills Ellen and judging by his facial expressions he looks like he's enjoying himself. He buries her in a garden shed, however it seems that Ellen has come back from the dead to torment them! I had not heard of this British mystery/horror movie before so a big thank you to the wonderful Talking Pictures TV (UK) for screening it. I watch most of my films in the evenings but with rain outside I decided to close the curtains and make this my Saturday afternoon viewing, and it proved to be a rewarding watch. The film is well shot and directed, the musical score by Carlo Martelli is very effective and the acting is of a good standard, Cookson as bossy Ellen gives the standout performance. This is one of those movies that looks perfect shot in black and white, I am glad that it was not in colour. The twist ending was easy to figure out but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of it in the slightest. Catacombs deserves to be better known.

Gary Merrill plays the husband of a rich dame (Georgina Cookson), who apparently keeps him around for hot sex. She can also put herself into trances, which is probably how she gets through the sex with Merrill. Cookson's gorgeous niece (Jane Merrow) shows up, and Merrill decides he wants to get it on with her. Merrill and his business partner cook up a scheme to off Cookson. After Merrill does the deed, he buries his wife in the pottery shed. Then they hire an actress to impersonate Cookson, so everyone else will think she went to Italy. Then the actress is offed as well. With Merrill and Merrow alone in his dead wife's house, strange events start occurring. Is it Cookson, back from the dead? Is she not really dead? Is someone playing a trick?

The film works, despite the weird casting. It would have worked better with someone younger (and better looking) than Merrill. No one on the planet should believe a babe like Jane Merrow would go for this guy. He is in serious need of some eyebrow trimming, which would at least diminish his Cro-Magnon looks. And Cookson looks like John "One Step Beyond" Newland in a dress and wig. Merrow is worth watching, of course.

Great script, brilliant casting, fine direction and excellent black and white camera-work make The Woman Who Wouldn't Die (aka Catacombs) one of the most compelling low-budget thrillers of the 1960s. It received only a limited release back in 1965, when I first saw it (three or four times). And though I've kept my eyes peeled ever since, I've never encountered it on TV.

So I was very happy to finally find it on DVD (excellent HD print) -- and it is as gripping as ever.

Jane Merrow has the ingenue role and she was never as alluring. Georgina Cookson is truly terrific as her domineering rich aunt. The two main men in this story, Gary Merrill and Neil McCallum, are just perfect .

Will not give away ANY of the plot here and adamantly advise you not to read any synopses. But believe me, if you enjoy old-time low-budget thrillers in the William Castle or Roy William Neill vein, you shouldn't miss this one. A treat from start to finish.