The Mephisto Waltz (1971)

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writers:

Ben Maddow (writer)
Fred Mustard Stewart (novel)

Release Date:

21 January 1972 (Denmark)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

The Devil Calls The Tune

Plot:

Alan Alda's character is a music journalist whose career as a piano player came to an end when his debut concert received undeservedly scathing reviews.

Plot Keywords:

Incantation | Beautiful Woman | Devil Dog | Mask | Incest

Cast

Alan Alda	...	Myles Clarkson
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Paula Clarkson
Barbara Parkins	...	Roxanne Delancey
Bradford Dillman	...	Bill Delancey (as Brad Dillman)
William Windom	...	Dr. Roger West
Kathleen Widdoes	...	Maggie West
Pamelyn Ferdin	...	Abby Clarkson
Curd Jürgens	...	Duncan Mowbray Ely (as Curt Jurgens)
Curt Lowens	...	Agency Chief
Gregory Morton	...	Conductor
Janee Michelle	...	Agency Chief's Girlfriend
Lilyan Chauvin	...	Woman Writer
Khigh Dhiegh	...	Zanc Theun
Alberto Morin	...	Bennett
Berry Kroeger	...	Raymont

Runtime:

115 min | USA:109 min (FMC Library Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:R

Company:

Quinn Martin Productions (QM)

Trivia:

Has the singular distinction of being the only theatrical film produced by Twentieth Century-Fox during the entire calendar year of 1970, this due to financial reversals incurred by the studio when several of its recent films failed at the box office.

Quotes:

Myles Clarkson: We could use a new brand of Scotch. This tastes like a poor man's kilt.

Movie Connections:

References Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Soundtrack:

The Mephisto Waltz

A spooky and sinister story.

Music journalist Myles Clarkson (ever likable Alan Alda) meets renowned concert pianist Duncan Ely (Curt Jurgens), who happens to be dying. After he passes on, Myles's personality undergoes a drastic change. Myles's wife (ever gorgeous Jacqueline Bisset) suspects something awfully creepy is going on, especially since it involves Elys' provocative, sexy daughter Roxanne (Barbara Parkins), whom she distrusts immediately.

Complex but not unduly so, this obviously not too well known chiller could use a little more exposure. It moves a little slowly, but then again, it has a pretty good plot, and there are no interludes which waste time; every scene has a purpose. For my tastes, it's not particularly scary, although it does exude some menace and atmosphere; most effective are the various dream sequences, designed and photographed to create a truly surreal effect.

Most useful are an unusual Jerry Goldsmith score, far removed from the Latin choruses that he provided for the more widely known Satanic horror flick "The Omen", as well as a fine cast. Alda, the imposing Jurgens, Bisset, and Parkins are ably supported by Bradford Dillman, William Windom, and Kathleen Widdoes; seen in a small role is Lilyan Chauvin, whom slasher fans will recognize as The Mother Superior in the tasteless seasonal favorite "Silent Night, Deadly Night".

It's an interesting rare excursion into feature films for Quinn Martin, better known for the many TV series that he produced.

Nothing really great but not at all bad, it's an entertaining film with some good moments and an enjoyable resolution.

7/10