Death Carries A Cane
(aka:Passi di danza su una lama di rasoio)
 (NTCS VHS)(1972)
review by Monkeyman

"Get me the files of all the deviants and sex offenders with leg disabilities"-is one of the many priceless lines in Pradeauxs amusing giallo-(by the way,dont take something from me as a recommendation just because I find it amusing!)Susan Scott is looking through a tourist telescope when she spys a young woman being stabbed to death with a large knife.She cant identify the killer because he is wearing this seasons Giallo Killers Uniform-black coat, gloves, hat etc.

Soon after his escape,the killer murders a chestnut vendor who makes the fatal mistake of looking out of his window just as the killer is walking past.Scott goes to the police,and reports her story to George Martin,the police Inspector.The killer sports a limp,and soon a plethora of suspects are introduced all of whom have limps or carry canes,including Scotts boyfriend Alberto(Robert Hoffman),the Police Chief etc,as well as other sundry related characters known to Scott.
The police soon deduce that the crime is linked to the murders of two ballet dancers,and Alberto is soon the prime suspect in the case,and he and his girlfriend set out to clear his name and catch the killer.
This is another guilty pleasure for me,as this film gets no respect at all in genre circles.Its certainly not a well made or acted film,but as the film introduces more and more characters with canes and leg defects,you find yourself grinning at the directors audacity.The murder of the chestnut vendor alone is worth the price of admission,and the look on his face always makes me laugh!

As an added bonus,even when the killer reveals his/herself at the end,the actual reason for the murders remains rather unclear-this is probably down to a rather odd choice of words in the dubbing process
In closing-plenty of nudity,violence,stupid plot twists and an incomprehensible motive add up to a very entertaining package.

SOURCE MATERIAL-US VIDEO TAPE "THE TORMENTOR" ON THE WIZARD LABEL