DOOR-TO-DOOR MANIAC: Crazy Cash

DOOR-TO-DOOR MANIAC and RIGHT HAND OF THE DEVIL

(Blu-ray)

1961 & 1962 / 142 min (2 movies)

FROM FILM MASTERS

Review by Mr. Paws😼

Film Masters serves up another double feature of low-budget obscurities. This time, two culty crime flicks are on the menu. Neither of them are forgotten gems, but one is definitely a must-see because of its star.

In 1961’s Door-to-Door Maniac (aka Five Minutes to Live), Fred Dorella (Vic Tayback) plans a robbery by walking into a bank and demanding manager Ken Wilson (Donald Woods) to cash a $70,000 check or else his partner will kill the man’s wife. That partner is Johnny Cabot, who has already broken into the Wilson home and is holding Nancy (Cay Forrester) at gunpoint, ready to kill her if Ken doesn’t comply. In the interim, Cabot taunts, threatens and eventually rapes her. 

Here’s the kicker…this cruel, sadistic psycho is played by none other than Johnny Cash! While the rest of the film is merely watchable, Cash’s performance is memorably disturbing, as is one of the menacing tunes he sings to Nancy. Given that there was always a sinister air to Cash’s persona anyway, is it really a surprise that he nails the role?

"If your husband doesn't pay up, I'm gonna play every song Billy Ray Cyrus ever recorded."

1963’s Right Hand of the Devil, is a grassroots heist film directed, co-written and starring Aram Katcher. Name not ring a bell? Well, Katcher was a Turkish hair salon owner and budding actor whose career  never amounted to much, but not for a lack of trying. He casts himself in the lead as Pepe Lusara, who masterminds a sports arena robbery with the help of four hired goons. To get into on the arena itself, he seduces lonely middle-aged Miss Sutherland (Lisa McDonald), who works there as a cashier. Those love scenes, and many others, are unintentionally amusing, adding a little campy charm to the proceedings. The film is also surprisingly gruesome at times, particularly a scene where one poor sap is dissolved alive in a tub full of acid.

Door-to-Door Maniac is definitely an interesting curio, especially since Cash only did one other feature film (A Gunfight, an excellent western, if you can find it). Right Hand of the Devil might be good for a few shit & giggles, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to sit through it a second time. Though this set is pretty light on bonus material, both films have been nicely restored.

EXTRA KIBBLES

THEATRICAL & TV VERSIONS - For both films.

SUPPLEMENTARY BOOKLET - Featuring an essay for each film.

DOOR-TO-DOOR MANIAC

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By Daniel Budnik & Rob Kelly

RIGHT HAND OF THE DEVIL

FEATURETTE - Player Piano: The Passion of Aram Katcher is a visual essay shedding a light on this forgotten film’s equal forgotten director/writer/star. Quite enjoyable.