The topic of the occult and its secrets has intrigued and captivated individuals for centuries. The occult refers to hidden or mysterious knowledge and practices that are beyond the realm of normal human understanding. Throughout history, various secret societies and esoteric traditions have emerged, claiming to possess this exclusive knowledge. These groups often guarded their teachings and rituals, causing a veil of secrecy to surround the occult. One prominent aspect of the occult is its association with the supernatural and magic. Many occult practices involve rituals, spells, and divination techniques aimed at tapping into hidden powers and forces in the universe.
Cast of curse of the black widow
After creating hit gothic soap opera Dark Shadows writer-producer Dan Curtis went on to rule the scary TV movie scene throughout the Seventies. Beginning with The Night Stalker (1971) and continuing with the likes of Trilogy of Terror (1975) and occasional big screen outings like Burnt Offerings (1976) and House of Dark Shadows (1970), Curtis crafted some of the eeriest moments in television. On the other hand, Curse of the Black Widow is most definitely a lesser effort. The film supposedly started out as a Harlan Ellison project though no trace of the New Wave science fiction author's original story remains in the finished product. If monsters are our fears made flesh it is hard to discern exactly what the lumbering were-spider is meant to represent. The opening scenes come across almost like a satire of the swinging Seventies bar scene, sort of a gender reversed Looking for Mister Goodbar (1977) with a monster. Interestingly all the male victims are instantly intimidated or outright repulsed by Valerie's brazen sexuality even before she transforms into a giant spider. However, Curtis chooses not to pursue this intriguing angle.
Instead, Curse of the Black Widow opts for a familiar combination of melodrama and gothic horror lifted from the tried and true formula of Dark Shadows mixed with the hard-boiled sleuthing of Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Alas, the drama is daytime soap opera silly while Franciosa's smarmy detective is not as compelling a character as Carl Kolchak. As a result the core concept comes across as just plain ridiculous. A stumbling narrative drags out what is actually a fairly slight story with far too many time-outs for pointless walks on the beach, drinks over disco or in one instance a scene designed solely for Curtis to show-off his cute little daughter Tracy Curtis' prowess as a child gymnast. Despite Curtis' customary solid production values this is less atmospheric than many scary Seventies TV films.
What this does have going for it is an amazing once in a lifetime cast. Along with soap opera stalwart Donna Mills and the ever-watchable Patty Duke, you have got June Allyson as devoted housekeeper Olga (providing the film's most indelible image), Vic Morrow, Jeff Corey as an unconvincing Native American mystic-cum-arachnid expert, Lost in Space star June Lockhart as the Lockwood sister's catatonic mother (very obviously doubled by a man in one showstopping stunt) and, in a very strange role, comedy legend Sid Caesar. In fact Curse of the Black Widow is full of weird supporting characters, from Caesar's landlord who cranks the indoor heating up to eleven for no obvious reason than to annoy Higbie's annoying secretary (Roz Kelly) to the zookeeper who hates animals (?) and the camp forensic scientist who flirts with our hero. To their credit the cast approach this nonsense with a commendable set of straight faces. Award-winning actress Patty Duke is especially good in an atypical role, particularly in her scenes with June Allyson. Given Duke's own well-known struggles with manic depression it is possible she responded to the script as some kind of allegory but the psychological twist is not as clever as the filmmakers seem to think, leaving viewers with just a dumb-looking rubber spider. Lord knows what fans of The Patty Duke Show made of this.
This review has been viewed 6772 time(s).
Movie of the Week: Curse of the Black Widow
A private investigator looks into the mysterious deaths of several men possibly committed by a woman who can turn into a giant spider.
Spoiler Level: Mild
Many occult practices involve rituals, spells, and divination techniques aimed at tapping into hidden powers and forces in the universe. From ancient civilizations to modern-day practitioners, individuals have sought to harness these mystical energies for a variety of purposes, such as healing, predictions, or personal transformation. Another significant element of the occult is its connection with knowledge beyond the physical realm.
Review
Mark Higbie (Tony Franciosa), a private investigator, is visiting a few friends at a local bar, when a dark-haired lady asks one of the friends for an escort out to her car. When the friend is brutally murdered in the parking lot, Mark gets pulled into the investigation after being hired by his friend’s fiancée, Leigh Lockwood (Donna Mills Knots Landing). Leigh and her sister Laura (Patty Duke) become suspects as more men are brutally murdered all of them having two large holes in their chest and being completely drained of blood. As Mark investigates, he discovers an old legend existing in several cultures about cursed women who become giant spiders during the cycle of the full moon. He is incredulous at first, but as the bodies pile up, he begins to believe and suspects one of the sisters is the creature. Racing against time, as it is the last day of the full moon cycle, Mark attempts to save the women of the Lockwood family. Can Mark arrive in time to save the day or will he succumb to the Curse of the Black Widow? Watch and find out!
Curse of the Black Widow premiered on ABC on September 16, 1977, and was rereleased in 1979 under the name Love Trap. The film was directed by the legendary Dan Curtis, who brought us such great classics as Dark Shadow, The Night Stalker, and Trilogy of Terror. The music was composed by longtime Curtis collaborator, Bob Cobert, and had his signature 70s action vibe. The movie was met with mixed reviews with the negatives commenting on the less than realistic special effects and a meandering script and the positive reviews saying it was “a Wonderfully cheesy TV movie-of-the-week”.
I have to say, I really enjoyed the film, but I do understand the critics’ complaints. The special effects were horrible, which they tried to hide with POV shots and weird camera angles working to a certain extent, but anytime we see the spider movie, it is quite obvious that they did not invest a lot of the budget into animatronics. Tony Franciosa was wonderful as Mark. His facial expressions and vocal inflections added a type of quirky light heatedness to the story with a rye sarcastic sense of humor. Many movies of the week are pilots to potential series, and I wouldn’t have minded a series with Mark Higbie investigating supernatural mysteries, but this was not even a consideration. Although I thought the dialogue was mostly believable, the story did wander a bit and could have used some tightening up, but over all I felt it was engaging and fun to watch film. And as a fan of giant insect monster movies, even the really corny ones, this was right up my alley.
Occultists believe in the existence of spiritual dimensions or unseen realms that can be accessed through specific methods or altered states of consciousness. These realms are said to be inhabited by spirits, deities, or other supernatural entities, which can be communicated with or influenced through rituals and meditative practices. Symbols and sigils are also crucial components of the occult. Many secret societies and magical traditions employ visual representations to convey hidden meanings and invoke spiritual or supernatural energies. These symbols can range from ancient mystic signs to more contemporary creations, all carrying deep esoteric significance that is not immediately apparent to the uninitiated. Additionally, the concept of personal transformation plays a significant role in occult practices. Many seekers of the occult are drawn to it as a means of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and achieving a higher state of being. Through rituals, meditation, and the study of esoteric knowledge, practitioners aim to expand their consciousness, awaken their inner potential, and ultimately attain enlightenment or union with a higher power. It is important to note, however, that the occult is often met with skepticism and controversy. Due to its secretive nature, association with the supernatural, and historical portrayal in popular culture, many view the occult with suspicion or fear. In some cases, this fear has led to persecution and demonization of those who engage in occult practices. Nonetheless, the fascination with the occult persists, with individuals continuing to explore its mysteries and seek hidden truths beyond the realm of the ordinary..
Reviews for "Demonology and Exorcism: Battling the Forces of Evil in the Occult"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Secrets of the Occult." I found the content to be full of misinformation and exaggerated claims. It seemed more like a conspiracy theory than an informative documentary. The production quality was also lacking, with poor editing and amateur narration. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone who is looking for accurate and well-researched information about the occult.
2. John - 1 star - I regret renting "Secrets of the Occult." The title was intriguing, but the actual content was a letdown. The documentary seemed to jump from one topic to another without providing any substantial evidence or analysis. It felt more like a collection of random clips and interviews rather than a coherent exploration of the occult. The lack of depth and structure made it difficult to follow or take anything away from the film.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - As someone who is genuinely interested in the occult, I was excited to watch "Secrets of the Occult." However, I found the documentary to be highly sensationalized and lacking in substance. The film relied too heavily on reenactments and dramatic music, rather than presenting reliable information or expert opinions. I was hoping for a more objective and balanced approach to the subject matter, but instead, the documentary felt more like a cheap, made-for-TV production. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone seeking a serious exploration of the occult.