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Four Flies On Grey Velvet
[Mya Communications]
1971; color
Directed by Dario Argento
Starring: Michael Brandon, Mimsy Farmer, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Bud Spencer, Aldo Bufi Landi & Calisto Calisti
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As mentioned at least a few times on this site, I was late to the works of many of the more well known Italian horror directors like Mario Bava, Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, etc. - and to the Giallo genre in general - mostly because I was under the impression all of the filmmakers listed above made icky disgusting zombie movies I wouldn't be able to sit through for five minutes. As it turns out, technically this is only true of Fulci (although I have probably covered my eyes at some point in films made by all of them) and only partially; judging by the DVDs we've received over the past few years he's also made some sex comedies I didn't want to sit through (The Eroticist), as well as a number of movies I enjoyed watching (A Lizard In A Woman's Skin & The Psychic.) So far I don't think I've met a Bava or Argento movie I didn't enjoy on some level and Four Flies On Grey Velvet is no exception. According to some stuff I read on the internet (read: stuff which may or may not be accurate) this particular entry in Argento's filmography, his third directorial effort was, for reason unknown, amongst the rarest seen in the ensuing VHS & DVD age. According to something else I read online, this film is also the third and final entry in his "animal trilogy" following Bird With The Crystal Plumage and Cat O'Nine Tails. Having seen all three films I'm not sure what, aside from the director and his obvious quirks, make these films a series but, hey, if the three most famous Soledad Miranda / Jess Franco collaborations qualify, I suppose these do too. Anywhoo, the story revolves around a jazz drummer (nice touch; and a perfect way to further work in the excellent Ennio Morricone soundtrack) who, of course, accidentally finds himself involved in the death of a man he thinks has been stalking him - only to find himself further stalked and menaced by an unseen, except when clad in a creepy doll mask, witness with an eye towards... well, we're not really sure what the person wants but trust me, the dude is sufficiently menaced. Not to mention haunted by a recurring dream where someone in another country loses their head, literally, in the town square. And if you think that doesn't make much sense, wait until you find out who owns the mask and the motive behind the whole thing. I know some people (again, the webby contingent) consider this to be one of his weaker efforts but movies of this ilk from this era always work for me.
—Bunny
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