In 1960, Anthony Perkins was a psycho killer in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." As Norman Bates he became the most famous psycho in film history. In 1968...Mr. Perkins plays a psycho killer again. This time there are some twists. Is he the protagonist or antagonist? Sure, that question is applicable to both films. Now you divorced guys will see where this film is going, but set and filmed in western Massachusetts, our feature today is "Pretty Poison," directed by Noel Black.
Mr. Azenauer (John Randolph) isn't totally sure of allowing his charge, Dennis Pitt (Perkins) out on parole. He has quite an imagination and does not seem sorry about being a 15-year old arsonist who murdered his aunt. Dennis still claims he was sane when he did it. Azenauer gets Dennis a job in Winslow, Massachusetts at a chemical plant. He immediately sees the Winslow High School High Steppers rehearse and focuses on the beautiful blonde flag girl Sue Ann (Tuesday Weld). He needs to impress her so acts as if he is a CIA operative in town on a secret mission. She's wide-eyed and gullible and believes him. Dennis recruits her to be a CIA operative in training, unpaid, and Sue Ann is thrilled. Sue Ann's strict mother (Beverly Garland) is strict and intends to keep her from dating strange men. Sue Ann is bent on being the best CIA operative any 17 year old high school student can be.
Dennis seems to have a good plan as he concocts a mission to stop the chemical company from dumping chemicals into the river. Sue Ann is thrilled she is being included. Uh oh...Dennis' perfect plan hits a few unexpected snags and now the fantasy changes. Dennis begins to realize living in a fantasy world is not sustainable. Sue Ann? She's just getting started. Uh oh...it turns out Dennis is not the real psycho here. Yep, the pretty Sue Ann may be a very pretty poison and Dennis is in too deep to avoid the train wreck that is coming fast. Death, destruction, and dismemberment follow. Now the mess is a big one. A mess that even Dennis' great imagination could never of foresaw. Now the world is falling apart. Not for Sue Ann! She's just starting to have fun.
Is Sue Ann, in reality, perfect for CIA employment? Could Dennis have gained wisdom from talking to a few divorced men about sultry dames that seem so perfect? Will Dennis and Sue Ann present themselves for a "Bonnie and Clyde" or "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" type ending? Shocking and deep, the ending will be a fantastic one that will haunt everyone in this film who remains alive at the end credits. See "Pretty Poison," and enjoy Anthony Perkins as a loon and Tuesday Weld as a psycho seductress.
