A grim film to be sure. Anthony Perkins is a recently released mental patient who falls under the spell of murderous Tuesday Weld in Noel Black's bleak drama. Weld and Perkins have dynamite chemistry (explored further in "Play it as it Lays" a few years later) and both give terrific performances. In fact, Weld, who until this point in her career had only occasional chances to show what she was capable of as actress, has one of her best roles. Perkins, so adept at playing off-kilter characters, does just that here, plotting to blow up a factory until Weld gets her clutches on him. Black's direction is first rate and the excellent supporting cast includes John Randolph, Dick O'Neill and the always interesting Beverly Garland as Weld's mother. Lorenzo Semple Jr cid the script. Filmed in scenic Great Barrington, MA.
Review of Pretty Poison
