Il tuo vizio è una stanza chiusa e solo io ne ho la chiave (1972)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Sergio Martino

Writers:

Adriano Bolzoni (screenplay)
Ernesto Gastaldi (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 August 1972 (Italy)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Oliviero is a burned-out writer, living at his estate near Venice, his dead mother dominating his imagination...

Plot Keywords:

Cat | Murder | Motorcycle | Sexual Attraction | Voyeurism

Cast

Edwige Fenech	...	Floriana
Anita Strindberg	...	Irina Rouvigny
Luigi Pistilli	...	Oliviero Rouvigny
Ivan Rassimov	...	Walter
Franco Nebbia	...	Inspector
Riccardo Salvino	...	Dario
Angela La Vorgna	...	Brenda
Enrica Bonaccorti	...	Hooker
Daniela Giordano	...	Fausta
Ermelinda De Felice	...	Bordello Owner
Marco Mariani	...	Libraio
Nerina Montagnani	...	Mrs. Molinar
Carla Mancini
Bruno Boschetti
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dalila Di Lazzaro	...	Girl who strips on a table in party's

Also Known As:

Excite Me
Eye of the Black Cat
Gently Before She Dies
Your Vice Is a Closed Room and Only I Have the Key
Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (USA) (DVD title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Italy:VM14 (DVD) (original rating) | Italy:VM18 (DVD) (new rating) | Italy:VM18

Filming Locations:

Elios Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Lea Film

Trivia:

The title is a reference to Sergio Martino's earlier giallo Lo strano vizio della Signora Wardh (1971) ("The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh"), in which the same phrase appears in a mysterious note apparently sent by a killer.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Morte sospetta di una minorenne (1975)

The Italian Giallo is a Privileged Room but Sergio Martino has a Skeleton Key!

Uniquely bizarre and experimental giallo from the masterful hand of Sergio Martino, who delivered 4 other giallo-classics in only 3 years time ("The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh", "Case of the Scorpion's Tail", "All the Colors of the Dark" and "Torso"). This gem is perhaps the least overwhelming one of the bunch, but it definitely is the most dared film and probably also the most intelligent one, since Martino mixed the passionate-murder plot with Edgar Allen Poe's legendary story "The Black Cat". The result is a stylish, old-fashioned giallo with clever twists and genuine suspense. Oliviero Rouvigny is a hateful, unsuccessful writer who enjoys humiliating his wife Irena in public and to openly cheat on her with multiple mistresses. When one of these girls is found brutally murdered, Oliviery becomes the prime suspect. When another girl turns up dead, even inside Oliviery's mansion, it gets really difficult to believe in his innocence. The fragile relationship between Oliviery and Irene is brought down even further when attractive niece Floriana comes to visit. She plays the married couple off against each other by seducing them both. Despite a couple of graphically illustrated murders, "Your Vice is a Locked Room etc..." mostly depends on the uncanny atmosphere and the disturbing sub themes. Oliviery suffers from a mild Oedipus complex whereas Irena has a severe phobia for her hubbie's black cat. The acting performances are fantastic, notably because this type of cinema isn't exactly known for its splendid acting. Edwige Fenech stars in an unusual role as shrew, but she's terrific and looks ultimately sexy. Fenech is somewhat a giallo-regular and worked with some of the most eminent directors in the field, like Mario Bava ("5 Dolls for an August Moon"), Andrea Bianchi ("Strip Nude for your Killer") and twice more with Sergio Martino ("All the Colors of the Dark", "The Strange Case of Mrs. Wardh"). Luigi Pistilli ("Bay of Blood", "Iguana with the Tongue of Fire") is particularly impressive in the ungrateful role of sadistic macho Oliviery and Anita Strindberg ("Who Saw Her Die?", "Lizard in Woman's Skin") is equally convincing as his tormented wife. The camera-work is enchanting, with a some truly imaginative angles, and the musical guidance (by Bruno Nicolai) sends extra chills down your spine. Highly recommended!