Sunday, December 18, 2022

Play Dead, Rottweiler and Black Magic

Every year, 40,000 Americans get their throats ripped out by psycho Rottweilers {EMBELLISHMENT}.  Most Americans are not aware of these deaths as the CDC classifies all of them as COVID deaths {NOT AN EMBELLISHMENT}.  Today we have one from Troma and starring Yvonne De Carlo.  Mangy mutts, useless men, nubile damsels, and fangs!  Today we look at 1983's "Play Dead," directed by Peter Wittman.

Grouchy and wealthy Hester (De Carlo) is happy her sister has died...mysteriously.  Hester loved a man and her sister stole him from Hester.  Still holding a grudge, Hester gets Greta, a Rottweiler.  With some black magic, Hester casts a spell which will have Greta murder surviving relatives that she doesn't like.  She'll give Greta to her niece, the nubile Audrey (Stephanie Dunnam).  She is clueless but has a hunk boyfriend named Jeff (David Cullinane).  Like most men, Jeff is useless.  However, Jeff and Audrey will have quite an elongated and awkward pre-marital sex scene.  Greta is not pleased.  Greta won't be pleased either as she watches Jeff and Audrey then do it in the shower.  Strangely, we are on Greta's side.

Doing black magic routines in her basement, Hester sets Greta on her nephew and a few others she thinks may get in her way.  The dog is smart...it pans her murders well.  No fangs...but clever planning.  Greta is great at making the deaths look like an accident.  Sadly, the beautiful Monique (Carolyn Greenwood) gets it as she takes a bath.  Of no consequence to the story, Monique did strip and climb into a bubble bath.  I know, essential plot devices, like this, always find their ways into these stories.  Hester's killing spree sees great success as the cops are baffled.  Will anything stop Greta?

What does Hester have planned for Audrey?  Now that Monique is gone, will there be anymore nubile babes stripping and jumping into baths or hot tubs?  Does the CDC still classify animal attacks as COVID deaths?  Pretty tamed for Troma, "Play Dead" will tick off dog lovers.  Still, it is good to see Yvonne De Carlo away from her "The Munsters" role.  For a light Friday night creature feature, see "Play Dead."  

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