THE DISEMBODIED

THE DISEMBODIED (1957). Director: Walter Grauman.

"You bad, bad woman!"

Photographer Tom Maxwell (Paul Burke) comes across Dr. Wetz (John Wengraf) and his evil wife Tonda (Allison Hayes) on a jungle back lot. Tonda is a voodoo queen who's learned the secrets of native witch doctors, and she wants her husband dead -- and just wants Maxwell. Norman (Joel Marston) and Joe (Robert Christopher) are Tom's associates, and Dean Fredericks of The Phantom Planet is the native Suba. Wengraf was also in 12 to the Moon and Christopher was in Creature of the Walking Dead. Allison Hayes probably didn't know that she'd shortly star in Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. Although The Disembodied has a perfectly workable if minor-league plot, it's much too slow and dull to amount to much. Paul Burke went on to better things on television.

Verdict: Even Allison Hayes devotees may want to miss this. **.

BLACK MOON

BLACK MOON (1934). Director: Roy William Neill. 

"The natives are restless." 

A wife and mother, Juanita Lane (Dorothy Burgess), becomes a little too involved with the voodoo culture on the island of San Christopher to the point where she's prepared to sacrifice her own child. People around her, such as a telegraph operator and the child's nurse, Anna (Eleanor Wesselhoeft) are murdered. There are interesting elements to the movie to be sure, but despite all the activity and running around, it generates more tedium than thrills or horror. Fay Wray is secretary Gail Hamilton, and Jack Holt is Juanita's husband. The movie is inherently racist, but at least Clarence Muse portrays "Lunch" McClaren, a sympathetic and likable black character. Ruva, the sinister voodoo lady, is portrayed by Madame Sul-Te-Wan. 

Verdict: A possible cure for insomnia. * 1/2.

THE HOUSE ON SKULL MOUNTAIN

THE HOUSE ON SKULL MOUNTAIN (1974). Director: Ron Honthaner.

After the elderly matriarch of an African-American family dies, her relatives are called together in the mansion for the reading of the will, but deaths and accidents occur because someone who wants them dead is using voodoo curses against them. Playing slick Phlippe, Mike Evans seems to be channeling Stepin Fetchit, but the other actors (Jean Durand, Janee Michelle, among others) are more dignified. Victor French plays Dr. Cunningham, the deceased matriarch's mostly Caucasian grandson. The film has virtually no atmosphere, a poor story, and not enough chills, action, or even gore to recommend it. The only notable aspect is the attractive matte painting depicting the house on top of its Skull Mountain, which reminds one of the similarly named mountain of King Kong.

Verdict: Sorely to be missed. *.