The stage is a magical place. You are in a world all your own even when others surround you. Performers are fed by its spell and walk a little above the rest even when waltzing down the real world streets. In the 1983 film 'Curtains' the world of theater is this gory Canadian made films casting call.
Samantha Sherwood (Samantha Eggar) is a veteran actress with a wide diva streak. Her life long director Jonathon Stryker (John Vernon) is a controlling egotist. They both decide a little method is in order in preparation for there latest stage collaboration. So Samantha decides to put on the nutcase and have herself committed to the local straitjacket Hilton. Johnathon free at last decides live it up on the casting couch and abandons Sam and opens up the cattle call to some new divettes in the making.
Not to count Miss Sherwood out she escapes and intends to keep her star status at any cost. Raise the curtain and away we go.
Director Richard Ciupka did the best he could with this highly plagued film production. Many unfortunate turns of events caused production of this film to run from 1980 until final theatrical release in 1983. The cast is good and the gore is tame at best, but the scenery chewing keeps you laughing while the lure of the reason why finally keeps you watching. Considered a cult favorite by many it is a slice of forgotten horror history worth a look.
Synapse Films brings us a wonderful package for a film that has been sorely represented before for the home theater gang. Presented in a brand-New 2K High-Definition Transfer from Original Vault Materials and sporting a 5.1 Surround Remix the sight and sound are worth the purchase. Special features include a lovely making of sporting interviews with director, cast, special effects artists and soundtrack composers. A vintage documentary on Director Ciupka and the usual audio commentary, interviews, and trailers. Simply a wonderful presentation.
In the savage realm of theater they say all is fair in love and war. In the case of 'Curtains' to the least empty headed booby goes the prize. Break a leg indeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment