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Scalpel
False Face

USA 1977
produced by
John Grissmer, Joseph Weintraub for PJ Productions
directed by John Grissmer
starring Robert Lansing, Judith Chapman, Arlen Dean Snyder, David Scarroll, Sandy Martin, Bruce Atkins, Muriel Moore, Clara Dunn, Stan Wojno, Laura Whyte, Larry Quackenbush, Greg Oliver, Mimi Honce, Ellen Heard, Tad Currie, Warde Q. Butler, George Macrenaris, Lynda Simon, Debbie Ness, Michael Fedack, Tom Pietschner, Lydia M. Woodhead, Kenneth J. Hodge, Valerie L. Strange, Richard H. Brannan, Kermit Echols, John Barbe, Thomas J. Howard jr, James W. Hudson, Wesley John Jackson, John Thomas Kelly, Ralph E. Mays, Walter R. Mays, Allen Murphy, Julius Wimby
story by Joseph Weintraub, screenplay by John Grissmer, music by Bob Cobert

review by
Mike Haberfelner

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It comes to no surprise to accomplished plastic surgeon Dr. Phil Reynolds (Robert Lansing) that he's cut out of his dad in law's will, as the man never showed anything but contempt to him, especially after Phil's wife (the old man's daughter) died under mysterious circumstances. Instead, all the money - quite a considerable sum - is left to Phil's daughter Heather (Judith Chapman). There's just one problem, Heather has disappeared, and nobody knows where to or why ... well, Phil knows why, she had witnessed him strangle her boyfriend Donald (Stan Wojno) to death, but as to where to, Phil's just as clueless as everyone else - which hurts Phil as he has always loved his daughter. Then though he stumbles upon a beaten-to-a-pulp prostitute, Jane, who's face is shattered beyond recognition, who's similar to Heather in size and shape, and he figures if he gives her the face of Heather and teach her how to act like her, he can fool everybody and get his hands on the inheritance after all, and he promises Jane half the money ($2.5 million) if she agrees to the little charade - and Jane's of course more than eager.

Everything goes fine as can be, with the added bonus that Phil and Jane become a couple (in secret of course as officially they're father and daughter) - until Phil's brother in law Bradley (Arlen Dean Snyder), disinherited like Phil himself, figures there's something wrong about the whole thing, and he tries to make Jane drop her mask ... but gets so agitated doing so that he has a heart attack and dies as Phil, who could have saved him, refuses to give him first aid.

Of course, it's ruled a death by natural causes, so Phil and Jane should be in the clear - until the real Heather shows up after the funeral. And even if she acts as if she doesn't see through the masquerade Phil and Jane have put up, the might know more than she lets on. The problem takes an even graver turn though when Phil realizes how drawn he feels to his daughter (the real one) - and not just in a paternal way ...

 

Maybe not a masterpiece, but quite a cool psychological thriller, that might seem a bit old-fashioned even for its time at first (legacy hunter flicks have been Hollywood staple at least since the 1940s), and the use of shocks, suspense and score only seems to underline that for the most part (but arguably in a good way, at least for someone as into classic genre cinema as I am), but the ending, when the story's incestuous underscore comes to the fore puts the movie almost ahead of its time and is sure to leave one disturbed. Now add to that a solid cast and a directorial effort that gives the story air to breathe, and you're in for good genre entertainment!

 

 

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review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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In times of uncertainty of a possible zombie outbreak, a woman has to decide between two men - only one of them's one of the undead.

 

There's No Such Thing as Zombies
starring
Luana Ribeira, Rudy Barrow and Rami Hilmi
special appearances by
Debra Lamb and Lynn Lowry

 

directed by
Eddie Bammeke

written by
Michael Haberfelner

produced by
Michael Haberfelner, Luana Ribeira and Eddie Bammeke

 

now streaming at

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Robots and rats,
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Tales to Chill
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Tales to Chill
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