Search - Pretty Poison on DVD

"PSYCHO" MEETS HIS MATCH

Robin Simmons | Palm Springs area, CA United States | 09/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"

1968's PRETTY POISON starring Anthony "Psycho" Perkins and former teen tease Tuesday Weld is a much-wanted cult fave not on DVD in Region 1 (USA). With no fanfare, it's now available as a Region 1 but without director Noel Black's better than average commentary on the Region 2 import (Amazon UK).

Adapted by Lorenzo Semple, Jr., from Stephen Geller's twisted love story "She Let Him Continue," opens with Perkins' Dennis Pitt being released from a psychiatric institution or prison for committing arson. The probation officer warns: "You're going into a real, tough world. It's no place for fantasies." First thing Dennis sees when he settles in a small town is seductive, pouty Sue Ann Stepanek (Weld), a girl with serious attitude problems, in her majorette outfit. Uh oh.

This deliciously demented black comedy focuses on what happens when two pathologies collide. It's a forerunner to movies like Bonnie and Clyde, Badlands and Blue Velvet.

Perkins and Weld have great chemistry as the two dodgy lovebirds. She merrily lets him pretend he's a CIA agent but deviously manipulates his fantasies to her own ends.

Beverly Garland is Weld's sexually charged, domineering mom. But it's Perkins and Weld at their best that make this rare gem from the 60s worth finding. I liked director Noel Black's forthright commentary on the Region 2 version (Amazon UK). Wonder why it's missing on the US version?

Rated: R (Originally X in the UK). Genre: Crime Thriller/Romance. 1 Hour, 29 Minutes. Starring: Tuesday Weld, Anthony Perkins, Beverly Garland. Director: Noel Black"

Tuesday Weld is incredible...!!!

Hitman777 | 09/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two talented actors, Anthony Perkins and Tuesday Weld really make this movie shine. It's a long-overdue release, and if you've never seen this under-rated and lesser-known gem, do yourself a favor and check it out!
Tuesday Weld smokes in this, playing a young girl whose initial, apparent innocence proves too much for Anthony Perkins who is perfect as a troubled young man who is caught in his own fantasy-world.
I'm so happy this has finally been released! I've enjoyed it in late-night airings for years on television.
Now if only "The Shuttered Room" will get released, I can die a happy man!"

Tuesday weld is great in this.........

Emer Foley | California | 09/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"you're in for a real treat with this long hard to find lost treasure. perkins and weld are in top form in this offbeat thriller/black comedy."

Delicious Poison

David Baldwin | Philadelphia,PA USA | 10/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This top-notch thriller is one where the least you say about it the better. You just have to experience first hand the ingenious story twists and complex characterizations for yourself. I would describe it as neo-Hitchcock and that's not because of the presence of Anthony Perkins in the cast. With the erosion of the Production Code this is quite daring stuff and pretty provocative for 1968. Anthony Perkins may have given the performance of his career as Dennis Pitt, recently released(unleashed?) from a mental institution for arson. The underappreciated Tuesday Weld gives an Oscar-worthy(not nominated, of course) turn as Sue Anne Stepanek, high school majorette and the object of Dennis' affections. Good supporting turns by John Randolph as Dennis' caseworker and Beverly Garland as Sue Anne's strict mom. The term indispensible is bandied about for a lot of films but not in this case. On a trivial note, in the eighties there was a band from Philly who took their name from this film's title and had a minor hit, "Nightime"."