Cinema Suicide

Who’d have thought that Ed Gein’s wacky antics of the 1950s would become one of the biggest influences on the horror genre since Bela Lagosi donned the cape? Gein’s bizarre foray in cannibalism would go on to be the basis of some of horror’s most terrifying films, such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Silence of the Lambs. Though Hannibal Lecter and Leatherface may have put the sub-genre on the map, the success of these films may not have been possible without Alan Ormsby’s often overlooked classic “Deranged.” The film tells the story of Ezra Cobb, a somewhat slow man with a rather unhealthy relationship with his mother. When Ezra’s bedridden mother dies unexpectedly he does what any self respecting wacko would do; he leaves her body where it is and continues to care for her as though she were alive. As the film progresses we watch Ezra unravel as he tries to maintain a relationship with his neighbors and go to great lengths to keep his mother from decomposing. I chose to start with “Deranged” not only because it is my favorite of the series, but because it’s a complete departure from over the top regulars in the Midnite Movies line. This low budget flick delivers a shocking story short on gore but big on eerie. Where most shock films from the 70s injected a little humor to soften the blow, “Deranged” goes right for the throat. There are no “ha ha” moments, no fat pathetic friends to dispatch with, it is straight up psychotic homicide the likes of which Rob Zombie films only wish they could be. On a personal note, this movie has a moment that actually made me cringe a little.

The flipside of the disc offers the much more amusing, and much less unsettling “Motel Hell.” This is the offbeat tale of Farmer Vincent (Rory Calhoun!) and his chunky sister, the duo famous for their homemade smoked meats… made with a very special ingredient. Vincent and his sister will do anything to keep the family secret, and as you can imagine that includes murder. “Motel Hell” is a pretty straight forward horror/black comedy that doesn’t entertain nearly as well as “Deranged” but is never the less fun movie that has some very strange moments (if anyone can explain the pig head scene to me I would love to hear it).

Of the now over 100 titles in my favorite line of films, these two are without a doubt the finest. The disc doesn’t offer much in the special features department, but for $10 you’re getting more than your money’s worth.