The Killing Kind (1973 film)
Encyclopedia
The Killing Kind is a 1973 film by Curtis Harrington
. It is based on a screenplay by Tony Crechales, whose screenplay was revised by producer George Edwards, an associate producer on Harrington's previous film, What's the Matter with Helen?
(1971). Harrington was able to cast his first choice, John Savage
in the leading role of Terry, a man whose mind is destroyed after being physically forced to participate in a gang rape and serving two years in prison when the victim, Tina Moore (Sue Bernard), lies about the nature of the incident. Ann Sothern
plays Terry's mother, Thelma, who runs a boarding house primarily for elderly ladies and with whom he has a relationship of unusual intimacy. Cindy Williams
, who had previously done only one other film, plays a new tenant named Lori, while Luana Anders
, a Harrington regular, plays Louise, a suspicious librarian next door. Harrington extensively researched studies of serial murderers and says he has been complimented on the film's accuracy. The film features music by Andrew Belling and cinematography by Italian cameraman Mario Tosi
.
). He is heavily influenced by the power of suggestion in his vengeance. After he kills Lori, his mother decides to poison him. Louise saw Thelma and Terry put Lori's body in a trash can and drive it to the dump and calls the police. As the film ends, Thelma holds Terry in her lap as the sirens are heard outside.
in 1987. It was released as the second half a a double bill with James Landis
's The Sadist
on a DVD from Diamond Entertainment Corporation in 2003. This DVD was a heavily-pixellated transfer directly from a VHS tape, with VHS artifacts such as streaking.
The film was shown in a retrospective on Harrington at Film Forum
in 2003. Dark Sky Films, apparently unaware of the Diamond release, called their 2007 disc the film's "DVD debut." This DVD, a new, letterboxed 1.85 anamorphic transfer, features an interview with Harrington made shortly before his death.
Curtis Harrington
Curtis Harrington was an American film and television director whose work included experimental films, horror films, and episodic television.-Biography:...
. It is based on a screenplay by Tony Crechales, whose screenplay was revised by producer George Edwards, an associate producer on Harrington's previous film, What's the Matter with Helen?
What's the Matter with Helen?
What's the Matter With Helen? is a 1971 thriller film starring Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters.-Plot:The movie starts with a Hearst Metrotone newsreel from the 1930s that tells of the Iowa murder of Ellie Banner by Leonard Hill and Wesley Bruckner...
(1971). Harrington was able to cast his first choice, John Savage
John Savage (actor)
John Savage is an American film actor, producer, production manager, and composer.- Acting career :...
in the leading role of Terry, a man whose mind is destroyed after being physically forced to participate in a gang rape and serving two years in prison when the victim, Tina Moore (Sue Bernard), lies about the nature of the incident. Ann Sothern
Ann Sothern
Ann Sothern was an American film and television actress whose career spanned six decades.-Early life and career:...
plays Terry's mother, Thelma, who runs a boarding house primarily for elderly ladies and with whom he has a relationship of unusual intimacy. Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams
Cynthia Jane "Cindy" Williams is an American actress best known for starring in the television situation-comedy series Laverne & Shirley, in the role of "Shirley Feeney", and for her role as Laurie Henderson in the classic film American Graffiti.-Early life:Williams was born in Van Nuys,...
, who had previously done only one other film, plays a new tenant named Lori, while Luana Anders
Luana Anders
Luana Anders was an American film and television actress.-Career:Anders, born Luana Margo Anderson, began her career appearing in several supporting roles in low budget B-movies for American International Pictures, quite a few of them directed by Roger Corman. She was part of a group of well known...
, a Harrington regular, plays Louise, a suspicious librarian next door. Harrington extensively researched studies of serial murderers and says he has been complimented on the film's accuracy. The film features music by Andrew Belling and cinematography by Italian cameraman Mario Tosi
Mario Tosi
Mario Tosi is an Italian-American cinematographer and cameraman. Tosi's works include Report to the Commissioner, Carrie, and Sybil, for which he was nominated for an Emmy. Tosi was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.-External...
.
Plot
When Terry Lambert returns home after a two year prison stay, he moves back into his mother's boarding house. When his mother wishes that Tina were dead, he borrows the car and runs her off the road. He then kills the attorney who failed to get him a reduced sentence, Rhea Benson (Ruth RomanRuth Roman
Ruth Roman was an American actress. One of her most memorable roles was in the Alfred Hitchcock 1951 thriller Strangers on a Train....
). He is heavily influenced by the power of suggestion in his vengeance. After he kills Lori, his mother decides to poison him. Louise saw Thelma and Terry put Lori's body in a trash can and drive it to the dump and calls the police. As the film ends, Thelma holds Terry in her lap as the sirens are heard outside.
Distribution
The film was handled by Media Trend Productions, a distributor which Harrington said in interview knew about as much about distribution as his grandmother. The film was released on the states' rights circuit and because it was not known where the film had played, it prohibited the film from getting a wide release. The film went largely unseen until Paragon Video released it on VHSVHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
in 1987. It was released as the second half a a double bill with James Landis
James Landis
James Landis is the name of:* James P. Landis , American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient* James M. Landis , American academic, government official and legal adviser...
's The Sadist
The Sadist (film)
The Sadist is a 1963 black-and-white exploitation film written and directed by James Landis, and stars Arch Hall, Jr...
on a DVD from Diamond Entertainment Corporation in 2003. This DVD was a heavily-pixellated transfer directly from a VHS tape, with VHS artifacts such as streaking.
The film was shown in a retrospective on Harrington at Film Forum
Film Forum
Film Forum is a nonprofit movie theater located at 209 West Houston Street in New York City. It began in 1970 as an alternative screening space for independent films, with 50 folding chairs, one projector and a US$19,000 annual budget. Karen Cooper became director in 1972 and under her leadership,...
in 2003. Dark Sky Films, apparently unaware of the Diamond release, called their 2007 disc the film's "DVD debut." This DVD, a new, letterboxed 1.85 anamorphic transfer, features an interview with Harrington made shortly before his death.