Does anyone fancy a cross between The New York Ripper,Flashdance,and Fame?

Thought not!!

Fulci shot this film in New York a couple of years after shooting New York Ripper,but it is an emaciated affair indeed compared to that gore-fest.

During an audition for a dance show Susan,one of the favourites for a part is drugged and then stabbed through the heart with a long thin blade.Despite this setback the auditions continue,quickly leading to another stabbing,this time of a dancer called Janice.

The shows choreographer,Candice,has recurring nightmares about being murdered by an unknown man (in an obvious nod to similar scenes in New York Ripper)
George, a male model appears on the scene and he and Candice quickly begin an affair,even though he bears a resemblance to Candices dream-killer. More killings occur, including one of Georges ex-girlfriends, and George is soon under heavy suspicion from the police.....

This film has got an awful reputation which is not wholly deserved. The giallo elements of the film are actually very well orchestrated, and its only when the film slows down for another one of Keith Emersons absolutely atrocious Disco numbers that the pace begins to flag (although the fact the the songs are danced to by various scantily clad Euro-babes doesnt hurt too much).

The movie itself has a rather flat look to it,almost TV movie style in its appearance(which is a fault that could also be levelled at New York Ripper),but there is enough about it to belie its poor reputation.

Cosimo Cinieri is not an actor Im familiar with,but he is very amusing in the roll of Lieutenant Borges(when he is confronted with a suspect who is not the murderer,he comes up with the zinger "Hes not a murderer,hes an asshole!!"

Added to the fact that the film is full of recognisable horror film regulars,for instance Al Cliver and Christian Borromeo (from Tenebre), if you can just ignore the disco/ breakdancing interludes this actually isnt a bad little film.