Blu Release – 3/5
Door to Door Maniac
Director – Bill Karn (Gang Busters, Ma Barker’s Killer Brood)
Starring – Johnny Cash (The Johnny Cash Show, The Pride of Jesse Hallam), Donald Woods (The Felony Squad, True Grit), and Cay Forester (Queen of the Amazons, Mike Hammer)
Release Date – 1961
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “A woman’s price drops fast as the time limit ticks away!”
When I was in high school Johnny Cash releases his American IV: The Man Comes Around album and that was the first time that I actually listened to his music on my own. My dad was an avid country fan so I was very familiar with his earlier songs but that album was the turning point for me. It’s been sometime since then but it wasn’t long after the release of that album that he passed away. Over the years I learned that he had not only appeared in several television shows and hosted his own, but he had starred in several films over the years. A friend of mine actually picked up the soundtrack and DVD for The Pride of Jesse Hallam not long after his death and we checked it out. My knowledge of Cash’s films is very limited but I’ve always been open to checking them out.
A few weeks back Film Masters sent over a review copy of 1961’s Five Minutes to Live under it’s alternate title Door to Door Maniac. I was looking forward to checking out this crime thriller and I want to take a moment to thank Film Masters for sending this one my way!
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a career criminal who partners with another like minded criminal to rob a bank. Their plan is for one of them to hold a bank employee’s wife hostage and use that as leverage so the bank employee will happily hand over the money without calling the police right away. However, their plan has a few flaws. The first is that the man responsible for taking care of the wife is a bit unhinged. He forces her to listen to his songs and is sexually forceful with her. Also, the bank employee informs them that he wants to leave his wife for his mistress and killing her would be doing him a favor. Now, the partner is arrested at the bank and the man with a hostage is forced to fight for his life when the police arrive at the home. **Spoiler Alert**
I went into this one thinking it was going to be a crime thriller but what I actually watched was a an odd crime drama that was more enjoyable than it would have been if it was as advertised. The movie takes an odd approach and actually uses Cash for his talents which is awkward at times but purely enjoyable.
The acting in this one is pure entertainment. This was clearly when Cash was popping pills as his attention in some of the scenes is very short lived. His eyes are frantically darting around the scene as if he’s bored or forgot what he was doing. However, during the scenes that rely on his performance, he absolutely kills it. The supporting cast delivers fantastic performances but be honest with yourself. When you see a movie starring the legendary Man in Black you don’t pick it up for anyone else.
The story for this one is a pretty solid crime flick that fumbles on the thriller aspect. The crime aspect with the bank employee with his mistress, the wife at home living the cookie cutter life, the criminal who randomly plays songs to his hostage, and the foiled bank robbery actually works. It’s not predictable for the most part and the character dynamic is very well written. While the musical numbers are a bit out of place, they are still fun and makes great use of Cash’s talents.
Finally, this is not a bloody film. Hell, it’s not even a thrilling film. However, it is different and doesn’t require a body count to hold your attention. Overall, Door to Door Maniac is much more enjoyable than I was expecting. Cash is absolutely amazing in this especially when you know his history and how he was during this time. I highly recommend snagging this one on blu from Film Masters. You will not be disappointed.
The Right Hand of the Devil
Director – Aram Katcher (I Dream of Jeannie, Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens)
Starring – Aram Katcher, Lisa McDonald, and Brad Trumbull (A Gathering of Eagles, The Longshot)
Release Date – 1963
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “The most Satanic plot since “Diabolique”
I get a lot of films in for review that I’ve never heard of before which only peaks my curiosity of said films. I love going into a movie completely blind with no preconceived notions about them. Recently I was sent a copy of Film Master’s Door to Door Maniac. This 1961 crime thriller starred country legend Johnny Cash and was every bit as entertaining as I had hoped.
The released included another early 60s crime film that I had never heard of before. The film, 1963’s The Right Hand of the Devil, featured the tagline “The most Satanic plot since “Diabolique” which really made my imagination work overtime. As soon as I finished Door to Door Maniac I quickly tossed in The Right Hand of the Devil!
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a criminal mastermind that put together a plan to rob a racetrack. He begins by putting together a small team and then seducing the older teller at the track to get access. Once he has her head over hills for him he he sets out to rob them. Once done he celebrates with his team where he poisons them to tie up any loose ends along with disposing of the teller. He then packs up all the money and flees to Rio to live the high life until someone from the crime unexpectedly appears. **Spoiler Alert**
I was very curious about this one after seeing that tagline and I honestly enjoyed it. I noticed that it was directed by and starring Katcher which made it very clear that it was a vanity project. The movie is essentially a criminal mastermind that is always two steps ahead and is smooth with the ladies finds his next score and pulls it off with a little twist near the end. Yea, a vanity project for sure.
The acting in this one is very enjoyable. Katcher himself carries the film and he makes sure he doesn’t shorten himself any screen time. I really like his character and how arrogant and intelligent he is. He does a wonderful job bringing him to life and the film would not be near as fun as it is if this character wasn’t so flamboyant. The supporting cast does a fantastic job as well but they are nowhere near the same level as Katcher’s.
The story for this one is very forward and you can see the twist ending coming a mile away but I’m sure it was rather clever for an early 60’s crime drama. It’s not as dark as I was hoping for but the level of detail that went into the heist and so on was actually very impressive. I would have loved to see a much bigger twist but I respect the one we do have.
Finally, the film does have some make-up effects but if you want some blood and gore then you will be disappointed here. Overall, The Right Hand of the Devil was a surprisingly enjoyable bonus film in this set. While the plot was not “satanic” by any means, it was still fun. I highly recommend it.
Special Features:
Ryan Verrill and Will Dodson from Someone’s Favorite Productions present the all new visual essay, “Player Piano: Passion of Aram Katcher.”
Recut 2024 trailer for “Door-to-Door Maniac”.
Restored original trailer for “Right Hand of the Devil.”
