The cast members of "Curse of the Black Widow" bring the story to life with their exceptional performances. The film, released in 1977, is a thrilling horror movie that revolves around a group of individuals who find themselves tangled in the web of a vengeful black widow. **Anthony Franciosa** plays the role of Ben, a skeptical detective who becomes entangled in the mysterious disappearances surrounding the black widow. Franciosa's portrayal of the character adds depth and complexity to the film, as he grapples with his own doubts and fears. **Donna Mills** commands the screen as Jenny, a young and unsuspecting woman who becomes the target of the black widow's wrath. Mills brings a sense of vulnerability and strength to her character, making the audience empathize with her plight.
Franciosa is especially energetic as Higbie, Duke shows off a few new flavors I never noticed before, and if Morrow is in, so am I. My favorite bit part is awarded to that legendary Native American actor *checks notes* Jeff Corey (Battle Beyond the Stars), who offers up an exposition dump near the end, caterpillar eyebrows and all.
Curse often plays like a stretched out Kolchak episode without Darren McGavin; and while that may seem disappointing, it still offers as much charm as Curtis can cram onto the screen. My favorite bit part is awarded to that legendary Native American actor checks notes Jeff Corey Battle Beyond the Stars , who offers up an exposition dump near the end, caterpillar eyebrows and all.
Mills brings a sense of vulnerability and strength to her character, making the audience empathize with her plight. **June Allyson** shines as Aunt Sophia, a wise and enigmatic figure who holds the key to unraveling the secrets of the black widow. Allyson's performance adds a touch of elegance and intrigue to the film, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Ha ha, it's Burl!
Hi, Burl here with a review of a TV movie! I haven’t reviewed too many of these old boys so far – This House Possessed and The Horror at 37,000 Feet are probably about it – but I usually enjoy watching them! Like This House Possessed, this is one I watched on or near its original broadcast, and it scared the terwilligers out of me! I’ve mentioned my gut-churning terror of giant spiders before, in the review of The Strange World of Planet X, I think, and it’s my belief that my viewing of Curse of the Black Widow as an impressionable young chap was the inspiration for this life-long phobia! (I’m not scared of spiders in general though, just enormous ones that might try to eat me! Ha ha!)
As in any TV movie of the era that had to stretch itself out to 104 minutes, there’s an awful lot of padding filling out this Naugahyde package, but the basic story of Curse of the Black Widow runs as follows: a glamorous mystery lady is stalking Los Angeles bars, picking up men in sport coats and then terrifying them in some unspecified manner and leaving them drained husks, often swathed in mysterious webbing! Ha ha, turns out she’s a were-spider, and hot on her trail is smooth-operating consulting detective Tony Fransciosa, well known from Death Wish II, and a gruff police investigator played by Vic Morrow from Humanoids From the Deep! Ha ha, Vic Morrow’s character is named Conti, but for some reason Fransciosa always calls him “Gully!”
Anyway, as per many TV movies and most Dan Curtis productions, there’s a lot of family drama woven into this situation, along with several strange time-wasting digressions and an often-inappropriate musical score, as well as many hideous sport coats! This is why I’m a big fan of so many Dan Curtis productions, in particular Trilogy of Terror, which was the first horror movie I ever saw, and Burnt Offerings, one of Dan’s rare theatrical efforts! (I never was a Dark Shadows fan, however – it just seemed like any other soap opera to me, with a few extra drifts of fog here and there!)
I became pretty confused about two thirds of the way through Curse of the Black Widow when a number of older ladies started showing up and the family drama bit really kicked in! I must not have been paying enough attention, because I really had no idea who was who, what their relationships to one another were and what the conflicts were all about! But being totally at sea didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the picture one bit, ha ha!
And what a cast! Vic Morrow always plays a good grouch, and Max Gail plays, yes, a disheveled cop, this time named “Rags” instead of Wojo! The mysterious old ladies are played by the likes of June Allyson and June Lockhart! Sid Caesar and Jeff Corey play two of the padding-providing ancillary characters, Pinky Tuscadero plays “Flaps,” the secretary, and there’s a great cameo from none other than Hard Boiled Haggerty, playing a man who once saw the giant spider but no one believed him!
The actual giant spider, when we finally see it at the end, is a little bit fake looking, I have to say! It’s still plenty scary though, especially when you’ve got a phobia like mine! I give Curse of the Black Widow two and a half bargain-basement arachnoid transformations!
As for that ending: Curtis lets it all hang out in a fiery climax, and if you were just sticking around to see a less than convincing monstrous arachnid, you’re in luck. Curtis makes no apologies for that either, nor does he hide it. Curse of the Black Widow has no time to wallow in its shortcomings; when you’re this busy being entertaining, why bother?
**Sidney Wells**, portrayed by **Vic Morrow**, is a determined journalist who teams up with Ben to uncover the truth behind the black widow's curse. Morrow's portrayal of Sidney showcases his tenacity and bravery, making him a standout character in the film. **Suzanne Somers** takes on the role of Linda, a seductive and mysterious woman with a hidden agenda. Somers' performance adds an element of allure and danger to the film, as Linda weaves her way into the lives of the other characters. Overall, the cast members of "Curse of the Black Widow" deliver captivating performances that enhance the suspense and intrigue of the film. Their portrayal of diverse and multi-dimensional characters keeps the audience engaged and invested in the story, making it a memorable horror movie experience..
Reviews for "Profiles of the Cast Members: Who They Really Are"
1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - While I had high hopes for "Cast Members of Curse of the Black Widow," I was ultimately disappointed with the production. The storyline felt disjointed, and the characters lacked depth. The acting was subpar, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the cast members. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time watching this play.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Cast Members of Curse of the Black Widow" was an absolute disaster. The dialogue was painfully cheesy, and the plot was predictable. The set design and costumes were lackluster, and it was clear that the production didn't have a high budget. I found myself checking my watch multiple times throughout the show, eager for it to be over. I definitely would not recommend it.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had heard great things about "Cast Members of Curse of the Black Widow," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The acting was mediocre, and the characters lacked depth. The plot was confusing, and I found it difficult to follow along. While there were some moments of humor, overall, the play didn't leave a lasting impression. It was a letdown, considering the hype surrounding it.
4. Jacob - 2/5 stars - "Cast Members of Curse of the Black Widow" was a disappointment. The plot meandered aimlessly, and the characters were forgettable. The production tried to be funny, but most of the jokes fell flat. The climax of the play was anticlimactic, and it felt like a letdown. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this play to others. There are much better options out there.