The Ice House (film)
Encyclopedia
The Ice House is a 1969
American
horror
-thriller film
directed by Stuart E. McGowan. The feature starred the twin brothers David and Robert Story, with Jim Davis, Scott Brady
, Nancy Dow
, Karen Lee, an uncredited cameo apperance by John Holmes, and actress Sabrina
in one of her last film roles.
) and is struck with beer bottle for his efforts. Angered, he stalks the dancer, and when she again raises a bottle in a defensive manner, he strangles her. He is thwarted in efforts to hide the body at a local lover's lane
, and ends up hiding it at The Ice House, where he works in the menial position of attendent. Other women become his victims and their bodies are stored there a well. His identical twin brother Fred Martin (David Story), himself a serving as a cop and investigating the disappearances, cannot understand why his brother is acting oddly. In trying to slow down the hunt for the serial killer, Ric kills Fred and takes his place in the investigation.
to play the role of Venus De Marco. However, before the film fully came together, Jayne Mansfield, died tragically in a car accident, at the age of 34, in June of that year. McGowan then (unsuccessfully) offered the role to Mamie Van Doren
, Diana Dors
, and Joi Lansing
. And even though all three actresses' careers had faltered and they could have used the money, they each turned the option down. Eventually, McGowan offered English
model
, Sabrina
, who was thrilled at the chance to play the role, therefore, she accepted. A fully retored director's cut of the film was released on video in 2008 by Grindhouse
.
Films gave the film theatrical release in Canada
in 1972. The film was released on VHS
in the USA by Something Weird Video
in 1996 as part of Frank Henenlotter's Sexy Shockers from the Vaults (Vol. 60), and a fully restored director's cut had worlwide release in 2008 by Grindhouse Releasing
. The film is also known as Cold Blood, Crimen on the Rocks (Spain
), Love in Cold Blood, and The Passion Pits.
, wrote "Character actors Scott Brady, Jim Davis and Tris Coffin, and a pair of musclebound, thespically challenged leading men are the main points of interest in this thriller/softcore hybrid, which delivers little more than copious nudity." He panned the film for the poor directing of Stuart E. McGowan, and notes that while the film set up the viewer for mysery and horror, it failed to deliver and menadered to a predicatable twist ending. He also panned the performances of real-life twins David and Robert Story as "incredibly stiff", and made note that "some amusingly unhip slang", and an undramatic "ridiculous" and "undercranked" motorcycle chase provided only "intermittent entertainment". While noting Grindhouse Releasing
's intent to remarket the film, they spoke toward Something Weird Video
's 1996 video release, and noted that although SWV's 35mm source material was "damaged in every way imaginable", its color and resolution were still decent.
1969 in film
The year 1969 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Last year for prize giving at the Venice Film Festival until it is revived in 1980...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
horror
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
-thriller film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
directed by Stuart E. McGowan. The feature starred the twin brothers David and Robert Story, with Jim Davis, Scott Brady
Scott Brady
Scott Brady was an American film and television actor.Born as Gerard Kenneth Tierney, he was the younger brother of fellow actor Lawrence Tierney. Brady served in the Navy during World War II, where he was a boxing champ...
, Nancy Dow
Nancy Dow
Nancy Dow is an American actress who appeared in a brief group of films. She was married to Greek-American actor John Aniston with whom she had a daughter, actress Jennifer Aniston....
, Karen Lee, an uncredited cameo apperance by John Holmes, and actress Sabrina
Sabrina (actress)
Norma Ann Sykes , better known as Sabrina, was a 1950s English glamour model who progressed to a minor movie career. Her main claim to fame was her hourglass figure of prodigious breasts coupled with a tiny 17" waist...
in one of her last film roles.
Plot
Ric Martin (Robert Story), a disgraced and long fired cop, hits on Ice House dancer Venus DeMarco (SabrinaSabrina (actress)
Norma Ann Sykes , better known as Sabrina, was a 1950s English glamour model who progressed to a minor movie career. Her main claim to fame was her hourglass figure of prodigious breasts coupled with a tiny 17" waist...
) and is struck with beer bottle for his efforts. Angered, he stalks the dancer, and when she again raises a bottle in a defensive manner, he strangles her. He is thwarted in efforts to hide the body at a local lover's lane
Lover's lane
Lovers' lane is a generic term for secluded areas where people kiss or make out. These areas range from parking lots in secluded rural areas to places with extraordinary views of a cityscape or other feature....
, and ends up hiding it at The Ice House, where he works in the menial position of attendent. Other women become his victims and their bodies are stored there a well. His identical twin brother Fred Martin (David Story), himself a serving as a cop and investigating the disappearances, cannot understand why his brother is acting oddly. In trying to slow down the hunt for the serial killer, Ric kills Fred and takes his place in the investigation.
Cast
- David Story as Fred Martin
- Robert Story as Ric Martin
- Jim Davis as Jake
- Scott BradyScott BradyScott Brady was an American film and television actor.Born as Gerard Kenneth Tierney, he was the younger brother of fellow actor Lawrence Tierney. Brady served in the Navy during World War II, where he was a boxing champ...
as Lt. Scott - Nancy DowNancy DowNancy Dow is an American actress who appeared in a brief group of films. She was married to Greek-American actor John Aniston with whom she had a daughter, actress Jennifer Aniston....
as Jan Wilson - SabrinaSabrina (actress)Norma Ann Sykes , better known as Sabrina, was a 1950s English glamour model who progressed to a minor movie career. Her main claim to fame was her hourglass figure of prodigious breasts coupled with a tiny 17" waist...
as Venus De Marco - John Holmes as Dancer
- Karen Lee as Unknown
- Ken Osborn as Killer
- Kelly Ross as Kandy Kane
Production
The film's production began in early 1967, with director Stuart E. McGowan, wanting blonde bombshell Jayne MansfieldJayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
to play the role of Venus De Marco. However, before the film fully came together, Jayne Mansfield, died tragically in a car accident, at the age of 34, in June of that year. McGowan then (unsuccessfully) offered the role to Mamie Van Doren
Mamie Van Doren
Mamie Van Doren is an American actress and singer; who rose to popularity as Universal Pictures's version of 20th Century Fox's Marilyn Monroe....
, Diana Dors
Diana Dors
Diana Dors was an English actress, born Diana Mary Fluck in Swindon, Wiltshire. Considered the English equivalent of the blonde bombshells of Hollywood, Dors described herself as: "The only sex symbol Britain has produced since Lady Godiva."-Early life:Diana Mary Fluck was born in Swindon,...
, and Joi Lansing
Joi Lansing
Joi Lansing was an American model, film and television actress, as well as a nightclub singer. She was most noted for her pin-up photos, and for her minor roles in B-movies...
. And even though all three actresses' careers had faltered and they could have used the money, they each turned the option down. Eventually, McGowan offered English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, Sabrina
Sabrina (actress)
Norma Ann Sykes , better known as Sabrina, was a 1950s English glamour model who progressed to a minor movie career. Her main claim to fame was her hourglass figure of prodigious breasts coupled with a tiny 17" waist...
, who was thrilled at the chance to play the role, therefore, she accepted. A fully retored director's cut of the film was released on video in 2008 by Grindhouse
Grindhouse Releasing
Grindhouse Releasing is a Hollywood-based cult film distribution company owned by director/actor Sage Stallone and headed up by film editor Bob Murawski...
.
Release
The film had its original United States release in the United States on July 9, 1969 by Orbit Media Group. MardenMarden
The name Marden may referto one of the following places in England* Marden, Herefordshire* Marden, Kent** Marden Airfield* Marden, Tyne and Wear* Marden, West Sussex* Marden, Wiltshire** River Mardento the following place in Australia...
Films gave the film theatrical release in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1972. The film was released on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
in the USA by Something Weird Video
Something Weird Video
Something Weird Video is an American publisher of video tapes and DVDs, based in Seattle, Washington. They specialize in exploitation film, particularly the works of Harry Novak, Doris Wishman, David F. Friedman, and Herschell Gordon Lewis. SWV videos are available on demand to Comcast subscribers...
in 1996 as part of Frank Henenlotter's Sexy Shockers from the Vaults (Vol. 60), and a fully restored director's cut had worlwide release in 2008 by Grindhouse Releasing
Grindhouse Releasing
Grindhouse Releasing is a Hollywood-based cult film distribution company owned by director/actor Sage Stallone and headed up by film editor Bob Murawski...
. The film is also known as Cold Blood, Crimen on the Rocks (Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
), Love in Cold Blood, and The Passion Pits.
Critical response
John Charles, editor of Video Watchdog MagazineVideo Watchdog
Video Watchdog is a bimonthly, digest size film magazine started in 1990 by publisher/editor Tim Lucas and his wife, art director and co-publisher Donna Lucas....
, wrote "Character actors Scott Brady, Jim Davis and Tris Coffin, and a pair of musclebound, thespically challenged leading men are the main points of interest in this thriller/softcore hybrid, which delivers little more than copious nudity." He panned the film for the poor directing of Stuart E. McGowan, and notes that while the film set up the viewer for mysery and horror, it failed to deliver and menadered to a predicatable twist ending. He also panned the performances of real-life twins David and Robert Story as "incredibly stiff", and made note that "some amusingly unhip slang", and an undramatic "ridiculous" and "undercranked" motorcycle chase provided only "intermittent entertainment". While noting Grindhouse Releasing
Grindhouse Releasing
Grindhouse Releasing is a Hollywood-based cult film distribution company owned by director/actor Sage Stallone and headed up by film editor Bob Murawski...
's intent to remarket the film, they spoke toward Something Weird Video
Something Weird Video
Something Weird Video is an American publisher of video tapes and DVDs, based in Seattle, Washington. They specialize in exploitation film, particularly the works of Harry Novak, Doris Wishman, David F. Friedman, and Herschell Gordon Lewis. SWV videos are available on demand to Comcast subscribers...
's 1996 video release, and noted that although SWV's 35mm source material was "damaged in every way imaginable", its color and resolution were still decent.