Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things
Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things is a 1971 cult film written, produced, and directed by Thomas Casey.
Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things | |
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Directed by | Thomas Casey |
Written by | Thomas Casey |
Produced by | Thomas Casey |
Starring | Abe Zwick Wayne Crawford Don Craig Robin Hughes |
Edited by | Jerry Siegel |
Production company | Paragon Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Set in Miami, and shot at the now closed Moberly Studios in Hollywood, Florida, the story centers around two criminals, Stanley (Wayne Crawford under the name Scott Lawrence) and Paul, played by Abe Zwick, who, because of their criminal history in Baltimore, have decided to lie low in a Miami suburb. They hatch a plan that involves Paul in drag. He wears wigs, women's blouses, skirts, and sensible shoes to pose as Stanley's "Aunt Martha."[1]
An implicit homosexual relationship ostensibly exists between Paul and Stanley. Stanley is shown in the company of several girls. Aunt Martha is not heartened by them and forbids Stanley to see them. Stanley and Aunt Martha argue constantly with Martha expressing a great deal of dissatisfaction with Stanley's lifestyle. Stanley seems to have no real direction in his life beyond hallucinogenic drugs and becoming terrified and hysterical when "far out chicks" start unbuckling his pants. When he gets absurdly high, usually by his drugged out friend Jerry, played by Jessie Eastland,[2] he tends to become violently agitated.
Cast
- Abe Zwick as Paul
- Wayne Crawford as Stanley (as Scott Lawrence)
- Don Craig as Hubert
- Robin Hughes as Vicki
- Yanka Mann as Mrs. Adams
- Marty Cordova as Alma
- Maggie Wood as Dolores
- Mike Mingoia as Joe
- Jessie Eastland as Jerry (as Robert De Meo)
- Sandra Lurie as Mary Lou
- Pat Finn-Lee as Neighbor (as Pat Erle)
Reception
The TLA Video and DVD guide gave the film one star, stating that it is full of stereotypes, but is "good for a laugh."[3] Raymond Murry stated that "Gay relationships don't come any sicker than in this enjoyably bizarre drive-in slasher-cum-camp pic."[4]