SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS (1971)

4 Stars

88 Films. Deluxe Limited edition 4K UHD & Blu ray. Also available as Blu ray only and also a DVD. 31st March

La corta notte delle bambola divetro

There can’t be many films that are narrated by an apparently dead person, who isn’t actually dead. Such is the case in Italian giallo SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS. In a Prague park, one of the attendants finds the body of American journalist Gregory Moore (Jean Sorel). Declared dead at the hospital, we, as viewers, hear his voiceover saying he is still alive. He can’t move despite trying, as his corpse is taken off to the morgue. One of the workers does mention it is a bit odd the body is still warm as it is slid into one of the cabinets.

As the story unfolds, and the narration continues, we see him working as a reporter. As he is laying in state, he remembers more and more and we learn the central mystery – the disappearance of his girlfriend. Her stuff is still in his flat, including her passport. He, often with the help of his colleagues, tries to find her, much to the displeasure of the local Kommisar Kierkoff (Piero Vida), who doesn’t want them interfering. Will he find her alive?

It’s all a bit of puzzle, as all good Italian thrillers are, which runs with its somewhat left field central concept. Will he solve the mystery? Will anybody realise he is still alive, especially as rigor mortis hasn’t set in… The film was well directed by Aldo Lado, in his directorial debut, from his own script – he went on to helm several notable films including WHO SAW HER DIE? (1972) and the notorious NIGHT TRAIN MURDERS (1975). This 4K release showcases the lush cinematography of Guiseppe Rozzolini. Sorel makes for a good looking lead and his absent girlfriend is played by the gorgeous Barbara Bach. The cherry on top is a scores by Ennio Morricone.

English audio and Italian audio with English subtitles

EXTRAS

4 stars – another comprehensive bunch of extras from 88

Audio Commentary with Italian Cinema Experts Troy Howarth, Nathaniel Thompson and Eugenio Ercolani 

When Butterflies Turned to Glass – Interview with Director Aldo Lado (26 mins)

Glass Doll Theories – A Video Essay by Pier Maria Bocchi (9 mins)

Lado’s Trilogy of Terror – A Video Essay by Mike Foster (17 mins)

Paralysed by Fear – Interview with Expert Stephen Thrower (23 mins)

The Need to Sing – Interview with Singer Edda Dell’Orso (21 mins)

Cutting Glass Dolls – Interview with Editor Mario Morra (23 mins)

Czech Mate – Feature Length Retrospective Documentary with Aldo Lado and Jean Sorel  (1hr 41 mins)

Einmal Italien und Zurück [Once to Italy and Back] – Interview with Co-Producer Dieter Geissler (36 mins)

English Trailer and Italian Trailer

Plus rigid slipcase with new Graham Humphreys artwork, an 80 page perfect bound booklet and double sided poster