“Delirium: Photo of Gioia” (1987)
Studio: Dania Film
Starring: Serena Grandi, Daria Nicolodi, Vanni Corbellini, David Brandon, George Eastman
Directed by: Lamberto Bava
Rated: Unrated
Running Time: 96 min.
Synopsis: Someone starts killing models from a magazine called Pussycat and the killer’s ultimate target is the magazines owner, Gloria.
REVIEW
Chris Woods
Not to be confused with Renato Polselli 1972 classic, this movie by Lamberto Bava, of Demons fame and son of the late great Mario Bava, is a decent giallo-lite film about a killer murdering models. It basically has the same plot as Mario’s classic Blood and Black Lace, but is not as stylish as that one but still stands on its own.
The film has a great opening with a series of photos of nude models flashing across the screen to some cool music. It turns out to be a photo shoot for the magazine Pussycat. Three beautiful women pose for numerous pictures while they romp around in a pool. They’re at a very nice mansion owned by a former model of Pussycat and now owner of the mag, Gloria played by actress Serena Grandi. Once the shoot is over, one of the models that was leaving is murdered by pitchfork by pool side. A neighbor who is wheelchair bound witnesses the murder, but when he calls Gloria about it, she thinks he’s playing a prank on her and when she goes to investigate the body is no longer there.
The murder at the pool is a very interesting scene. First, it is lit like a 80’s music video with even a hint of fog on the ground. Also some cool music that sounds kind of new waveish, plays. Also, the killer sees their victims in a very strange light. When looking at the model, through their eyes they see the woman with just an eyeball for a head. Very weird and very cool at the same time. Later on they see another victim with a head of a bug, very bizarre.
The next day at Pussycat headquarters, a picture is dropped off of the dead woman positioned on a couch with a huge picture of Gloria on the wall. Soon after that, her body is found in a dumpster near a newsstand. Now, police are on the case and Gloria is frightened for her life. The rest of the film is pretty much Gloria trying to cope with the murders, run a magazine, getting laid, and showing her big breasts. While the killer keeps targeting other models and friends of Gloria and leaving the same M.O. In one scene a woman is killed by being stung by a number of bees. (That’s bug-head girl)
The movie has its moments with a few elaborate death scenes and some great set design that give the film its own kind of style. Most the acting is pretty bad and the story is okay. Daria Nicolodi, ex-wife of Dario Argento, shows up in the film in a supporting role and does all right. They’re also a few twists during the climax, but I won’t give it away. The film is worth a look but is no way a classic Italian horror film.