The French call movies like this
films maudits, “damned films,” born under a black cloud with no more chance to be seen and appreciated than a Thalidomide baby. The irrepressible Edgar G. Ulmer made this 1960 feature back-to-back with
Beyond the Time Barrier in the space of three weeks, using standing “sets” provided by the Texas State Fairground. Neither represents Ulmer at his best (
Beyond has more of the Ulmer flavor), but both are moving testimonies to the indomitability of the creative spirit, even when faced with the most absurd limitations of budget and time. Ulmer, surely, was some sort of saint—no director ever humbled himself more thoroughly in pursuit of his art. 58 min.
By
Dave Kehr
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