Evil and manipulative long in the tooth stripper and fortune teller Bobbi (aged blonde June Colbourne) uses a magical Haitian amulet to put men in a hypnotic trance. However, Bobbi must resort to such drastic measures as murder when several other people try to steal the amulet from her.
While director Anthony Farrar and writer/co-director Joe Sarno offer an engrossing enough story, a suitably sordid milieu, and a handful of seedy and desperate characters, this film nonetheless suffers from sluggish pacing and the crucial miscasting of the homely and haggard Colbourne, who just isn't convincing as a bewitching black widow type. Fortunately, the rest of the cast are much better in their roles: Fetching brunette Dian Lloyd brings a touching vulnerability to her part as Bobbi's forlorn and insecure browbeaten daughter Julie, Derek Murcott lends sturdy support as handsome kept boy Dave, and Beverly Nazarow snarks it up nicely as the bitchy Gloria. Moreover, the meaty themes of lust, greed, and betrayal give this movie some sting. Urs Furrer's stark black and white cinematography makes the most out of the clearly limited budget. The groovy jazz score hits the swinging spot. An okay diversion.
While director Anthony Farrar and writer/co-director Joe Sarno offer an engrossing enough story, a suitably sordid milieu, and a handful of seedy and desperate characters, this film nonetheless suffers from sluggish pacing and the crucial miscasting of the homely and haggard Colbourne, who just isn't convincing as a bewitching black widow type. Fortunately, the rest of the cast are much better in their roles: Fetching brunette Dian Lloyd brings a touching vulnerability to her part as Bobbi's forlorn and insecure browbeaten daughter Julie, Derek Murcott lends sturdy support as handsome kept boy Dave, and Beverly Nazarow snarks it up nicely as the bitchy Gloria. Moreover, the meaty themes of lust, greed, and betrayal give this movie some sting. Urs Furrer's stark black and white cinematography makes the most out of the clearly limited budget. The groovy jazz score hits the swinging spot. An okay diversion.