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A Night To Dismember
[Elite Entertainment]
1983; color
Directed by Doris Wishman
Starring: Samantha Fox, Diane Cummins, Saul Meth, Miriam Meth, Bill Szarka & Chris Smith
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From the innocent, kitschy nudie cuties of her early career to the stark black & white grindhouse roughies she's become most known for and, later, the introduction of her own outrageously endowed Russ Meyer-esque heroine, Chesty Morgan, Doris Wishman—like all successful B-movie makers—knew how to roll with the times. By the end of the 1970s things seemed to have slowed down for her a bit though, at least as far as her film output. This is Doris' lone film from the turbulent decade known as the '80s and certainly one of her more, um, remarkable films. (And, of course, I use the term remarkable to avoid using a more accurate but less flattering term out of respect.) A Night To Dismember is also, I believe, the only one of her movies that could best be described as a slasher flick. Quite apropos of the era; in terms of her cinematic oeuvre though, not so much. The film is still rife with trademark "Wishman-isms" like kooky camera angles and long lingering shots of seemingly inconspicuous items such as a plate of deli meat or a doorknob so you needn't worry there, but overall there is much, much less teased hair, black lace lingerie and sex than one might imagine and—conversely—much, much more decapitation, nightgowns drenched in blood and death. The box cover forewarns/promises "extreme violence and gore" and the content delivers, to a point. I would say violence was always somewhat present in Doris' work but the gore part is far more unexpected and, on the realism tip, not all that well executed. On the other hand, it's easier to digest a poorly done scene of someone having all their fingers chopped off than one where it looks like someone's fingers are actually being chopped off so I guess that's more of an observation than a complaint. Plus, you know, when your plot revolves around a series of ax murders, you gotta chop off something. Speaking of the plot, I don't think I'm gonna speak on that too much. Partly because I don't want to spoil it, but mostly because I'm not sure I followed it that well myself. Suffice it to say it's not one of her more linear screenplays, but after learning that half of the original footage was destroyed and the film was cobbled together using the remaining reels and outtakes, this small detail can easily be forgiven. (For further explanation on what happened to the missing footage, as well as further explanation of the film itself, check out the highly entertaining bonus commentary featuring Ms. Wishman and long time camera-man/co-conspirator C. Davis Smith, discussing the film's subtle nuances as well as arguing and insulting each other and such. Brilliant!) However I will speak on the fact that, although this film does star an actress named Samantha Fox, the role of Vicki is not played by that British topless model chick (I think in merry old England they're known as a "page six girl") who went on to record a horribly bad dance pop album sometime around the making of this film. This Samantha Fox, according to the internet, also has a more scandalous side to her career; although she apparently skipped the cheeky English nature of the page six girl and opted for good ol' American hardcore pornography for her other film roles. Just thought I'd clear that up.
—Bunny
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