“Love is the tool that strips a jet-set widow bare of her morals and her millions!” This was the first of four giallo collaborations Carroll Baker did with Italian director Umberto Lenzi (Almost Human) and it remains the most popular. Lonely widow Baker flies to Italy with her lawyer, who is settling her wealthy husband’s estate, and takes up residence in a secluded villa. Soon after arriving, a penniless playboy (Lou Castel) suffers a car breakdown outside her gates. She allows him to repair it in her driveway. One thing leads to another, they end up in bed, and he insinuates himself into her life. Out of the blue, Castel’s bisexual “sister” (Colette Descombes) shows up, and Baker feels a growing uneasiness. Mind games escalate: debauched threesomes, playing a pop single repeatedly to annoy Baker, and finally drugging her and tying her to her bed. A mix of real suspense and Valley of the Dolls-style dramatics, elevated by Baker’s uninhibited performance (including a generous helping of gratuitous nudity) delivers, as do two – yes, two – wild twist endings.
Chris D. explores the career of Carroll Baker, acclaimed American actress turned Italian exploitation cinema queen, on the New Beverly blog.
