We're back in the Giallo realm of those with loads of money who live in big villas, and those who pretend to like those with money who wish to obtain that money by illicit means. We are all familiar with the scenario, but the way it plays out is what puzzles us and draws us in.
Najda Tiller plays a retired singer with a thing for young guys who has just caught secretary/lover George Hilton cheating on her in a boat. She wants George to leave while she deals with her many financial problems (possibly caused by George). Her lawyer and sister/manager are urging her to come out of retirement and do a concert or two to draw in the cash, but Nadja thinks that perhaps pawning her beloved emeralds might be a simpler solution. However, there's a problem with that.
One night, while she is all on her lonesome, a young man called Costas appears in her house. He's been working next door and needs an aspirin and is coincidentally within Nadja's favourite age group, and seems to be making eyes at her and saying all the right things. Just as they are about to go to bed however, we see Costas eyeing up a painting which the audience knows hides a safe full of jewels, and we also see Costas slip a little something into Nadja's drink...
The next day, Nadja is down all her jewels and nursing a headache. The cops know she's been robbed, but then again Costas has vanished, his blood-stained top is lying on her bathroom floor, and George Hilton is wandering around town, looking for a fence. We've all seen this kind of set up before, but what's happening?
Various characters/suspects include Nadja's maid Marcelle, who was trying to fend off Hilton's advances, Nadja's sister Yvonne (wow!), who has past form with Hilton, Nadja's lawyer, and probably more people I've forgotten about. Every giallo fan will have their theories about what's going on, but will their guesses be correct? That's where the fun lies with this one.
Most of the film focuses on Nadja Tiller's character, who may or may not be losing her mind due to the robbery and possible murder of Costas. The angle that there may or may not be a murder just adds to the mystery here, and thankfully Tiller is more than capable of carrying the film on her shoulders. Hilton doesn't have too much to do but look shifty, but he does get a good chase scene in later in the film. Hunky Guy Madison turns up for a cameo and does a good turn as the only possible person Tiller can trust.
It's all kitsch interiors and cheesy music but this obscure giallo is entertaining from start to finish, with nary a drop of blood. Nadja's sister provide the nudity though, and it's enough to give you a nosebleed.
