Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971)

The corpse of reporter Gregory Moore (Jean Sorel of LIZARD IN A WOMAN S SKIN) is found in a Prague plaza and brought to the local morgue. But Moore is actually alive trapped inside his dead body and desperately recalling how the mysterious disappearance of his beautiful girlfriend (Barbara Bach of THE SPY WHO LOVED ME) led to a terrifying conspiracy of depravity. Can a reporter with no visible signs of life solve this perverse puzzle before he meets his ultimate deadline?Ingrid Thulin (SALON KITTY THE DAMNED) and Mario Adorf (THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE) co-star in this unusual and startling giallo (also known as PARALYZED and MALASTRANA) that marked the debut of writer/director Aldo Lado (NIGHT TRAIN MURDERS WHO SAW HER DIE?) and features a superb score by the legendary Ennio Morricone (THE STENDHAL SYNDROME).Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MISCELLANEOUS/SPECIAL INTEREST UPC: 827058113595 Manufacturer No: 1135 Product Description

A minor masterpiece.

Call it what you will -- occult thriller or giallo -- this film is a minor masterpiece. In my own view, it's a combination of those two genres: while it utilizes the occult conspiracy plot made popular by films like Rosemary's Baby, the film progressively dissolves into a chilling illogic typifying the giallos of that era. Aldo Lado was a talented professional, and his other films are worthwile, especially Night Train Murders and Who Saw Her Die? This one tops them all. March 20, 2008

"Short Night of Glass Dolls" Is An Occult Thriller Rather Than A Giallo

"Short Night of Glass Dolls" is a strange, perverse film that is more of a supernatural, occult thriller than a true giallo. Jean Sorel of Lucio Fulci`s "Lizard in a Woman's Skin" is an American reporter living in Prague. His beautiful girlfriend (Barbara Bach of "The Black Belly of the Tarantula" and "The Spy Who Loved Me") mysteriously disappears without a trace. While investigating her disappearance, he learns that other beautiful young women have disappeared and later been found dead without their clothes. Meanwhile, a hitman begins assassinating anyone who helps the reporter. In a giallo, the killer usually wears a disguise and is unknown. In "Short Night of the Glass Dolls," the killer's face is seen two-thirds of the way into the movie.

"Short Night of Glass Dolls" has the conspiratorial and Satanic elements of "Rosemary's Baby," which was released in 1969, just a few years prior. In "Rosemary's Baby," Rosemary Woodhouse (played by Mia Farrow) learns that everyone around her is a witch. Director Aldo Lado seems to mimic the more popular works of others when creating his own. His second movie, which was "Who Saw Her Die?" had a strong resemblance to "Psycho" in that the cross dressing killer has a split personality. Overall, Lado's work appears less original than that of Lucio Fulci, Dario Argento, and Mario Bava.

The most unique part of "Short Night of Glass Dolls" is that Jean Sorel finds himself in a morgue, unable to move his limbs. Through hypnosis, he has been immersed into a deep catatonic state. However, he slowly remembers the events that led up to his "death."

The movie is slow and hard to understand at times. One must be patient until the end, which is rather dark and depressing. Even the title is confusing. From the DVD's interview with Aldo Lado, we learn that it was hastily changed from "Short Night of Butterflies" to the nonsensical "Short Night of Glass Dolls" because "The Bloodstained Butterfly," another giallo, had just been released.

I would've given this movie two stars but the gorgeous Barbara Bach compels me to give it three. I can understand why Jean Sorel was desperate to find her. Bach and Sorel make a very attractive couple.
March 14, 2008

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