Two Evil Eyes (1990) Due occhi diabolici (original title)

Directors:

Dario Argento
George A. Romero

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (stories)
Dario Argento (segment)
(more)

Release Date:

25 October 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

When I Wake You...You'll Be Dead.

Plot:

Two horror tales based on short stories by Edgar Allan Poe directed by two famous horror directors, George A. Romero and Dario Argento.

Plot Keywords:

Cat | Black Cat | Undead | Hypnosis | Photographer

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Adrienne Barbeau	...	Jessica Valdemar (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Ramy Zada	...	Dr. Robert Hoffman (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Bingo O'Malley	...	Ernest Valdemar (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Jeff Howell	...	Policeman (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
E.G. Marshall	...	Steven Pike (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Harvey Keitel	...	Roderick Usher (segment "The Black Cat")
Madeleine Potter	...	Annabel (segment "The Black Cat")
John Amos	...	Det. Legrand (segment "The Black Cat")
Sally Kirkland	...	Eleonora ("The Black Cat")
Kim Hunter	...	Mrs. Pym (segment "The Black Cat")
Holter Graham	...	Christian (segment "The Black Cat") (as Holter Ford Graham)
Martin Balsam	...	Mr. Pym (segment "The Black Cat")
Chuck Aber	...	Mr. Pratt (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Jonathan Adams	...	Hammer (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Tom Atkins	...	Det. Grogan (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Mitchell Baseman	...	Boy at Zoo (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Julie Benz	...	Betty (segment "The Black Cat")
Barbara Bryne	...	Martha (segment "The Black Cat")
Mario Caputo
Lanene Charters	...	Bonnie (segment "The Black Cat")
Bill Dalzell	...	Detective (as Bill Dalzell III)
Anthony Dileo Jr.	...	Taxi Driver (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Christine Forrest	...	Nurse (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar") (as Cristine Forrest)
J.R. Hall	...	2nd Policeman (segment "The Black Cat")
Scott House	...	3rd Policeman (segment "The Black Cat")
James MacDonald	...	Luke (segment "The Black Cat") (as James G. MacDonald)
Charles McPherson
Larry John Meyers	...	Old Man (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Jeff Monahan
Fred Moore
Christina Romero	...	Mother at Zoo (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")
Peggy McIntaggart	...	Young Policewoman (segment "The Black Cat") (as Peggy Sanders)
Ben Tatar
Lou Valenzi	...	Editor (segment "The Black Cat")
Jeffrey Wild	...	Delivery Man (segment "The Black Cat")
Ted Worsley	...	Desk Editor (segment "The Black Cat")
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jonathan Sachar	...	Officer Brian (segment "The Black Cat") (uncredited)
Tom Savini	...	The Monomaniac (segment "The Black Cat") (uncredited)

Directed by
Dario Argento		(segment "The Black Cat")
George A. Romero		(segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar") (as George Romero)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Dario Argento		segment "Black Cat, The"
Franco Ferrini		segment "Black Cat, The"
Peter Koper		uncredited
Edgar Allan Poe		stories
George A. Romero		segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar"

Produced by
Claudio Argento	....	executive producer
Dario Argento	....	executive producer
Achille Manzotti	....	producer

Original Music by
Pino Donaggio

Cinematography by
Peter Reniers		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Pasquale Buba		(segment "The Black Cat") (as Pat Buba)

Production Design by
Cletus Anderson		(segment "The Black Cat")

Set Decoration by
Diana Stoughton		(as Diana L. Stoughton)

Costume Design by
Barbara Anderson

Makeup Department
Everett Burrell	....	special makeup effects artist (as Everett Burrel)
Terrie Godfrey	....	assistant makeup artist
Will Huff	....	special makeup effects artist
Jeannee Josefczyk	....	hair stylist
Jeannee Josefczyk	....	makeup artist
Tom Savini	....	special makeup effects supervisor
John Vulich	....	special makeup effects artist

Production Management
Carol Cuddy	....	production manager
Fabrizio Diaz	....	production manager: Rome (as Fabrizio Cico Diaz)
Fernando Franchi	....	general manager
Andrea Tinnirello	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Luigi Cozzi	....	second unit director
Fred 'Fredo' Donatelli	....	second assistant director
Nicholas Mastandrea	....	first assistant director
Maria L. Melograne	....	second assistant director (as Maria Melograne)
Nicola Pecorini	....	second unit director

Art Department
Eloise Albrecht	....	set dresser
Lawrence Bailer	....	assistant set designer
Charles Ballew	....	scenic artist
Norman Beck	....	props
Francine Byrne	....	set dresser
Nora Cline	....	scenic artist
Eileen Garrigan	....	set painter
Marty Garrigan	....	property master (as Martin Garrigan)
Thomas J. Garrigan	....	property department (as Thomas Garrigan)
Frederika Gray	....	first scenic artist
Howard Jones	....	chief carpenter
Gary Kosko	....	art department coordinator
Paula Payne	....	scenic artist
Jim Schneider	....	lead man
Louis P. Taylor	....	construction coordinator
Mark Worthington	....	art production assistant

Sound Department
Nick Alexander	....	adr editor: Rome
Luciano Anzellotti	....	additional sound effects (as Luciano Anzelotti)
Luciano Anzellotti	....	foley artist (as Luciano Anzelotti)
Massimo Anzellotti	....	additional sound effects (as Massimo Anzelotti)
Massimo Anzellotti	....	foley artist (as Massimo Anzelotti)
Felipe Borrero	....	production sound mixer
Romano Checcacci	....	sound re-recording mixer
Cesare D'Amico	....	dialogue editor: Rome
Tommy Louie	....	boom operator
Federico Savina	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby Stereo

Special Effects by
J.C. Brotherhood	....	ram effects
Kevin McTurk	....	special effects makeup
Tom Savini	....	special effects

Stunts
Norman Douglass	....	stunts
Andy Duppin	....	stunts
David S. Lomax	....	stunts (as David Lomax)
Phil Neilson	....	stunts
Mick O'Rourke	....	stunts (as Mike O'Rourke)
Michael Russo	....	stunts (as Mike Russo)
Tom Savini	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Joe Abeln	....	electrician
Erik L. Brown	....	first assistant camera (as Erik Brown)
Bart Flaherty	....	grip
Marcello Gabriele	....	lighting director
Brian Haughin	....	electrician
John Janusek	....	best boy grip
Barry Kessler	....	electrician
Beth Kukucka	....	still photographer
Michael J. Latino	....	first assistant camera (as Michael Latino)
Ed Letteri	....	gaffer
Fernando Massaccesi	....	gaffer
Frank McGough	....	best boy electric
John S. Moyer	....	second assistant camera (as John Moyer)
Nicola Pecorini	....	Steadicam operator
Joseph 'Bruno' Pelle	....	grip
Frank Perl	....	camera operator
Fred Pope Jr.	....	generator operator (as Fred Pope)
Rich Sieg	....	grip
Nick Tallo	....	grip (as Nick 'Bomba' Tallo)
Ted Wiegand	....	electrician

Casting Department
Donna M. Belajac	....	local casting (as Donna Belajac)
Staci A. Blagovich	....	extras casting (as Staci Blagovich)
Christina Romero	....	local casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kathy Borland	....	wardrobe supervisor
Diane Collins	....	seamstress
Melinda Eshelman	....	wardrobe assistant (as Mindy Eshelman)
Debra Marks	....	seamstress
Nancy Palmentier	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
John S. Bich	....	second assistant editor
Ray Boniker	....	assistant editor
Pasquale Buba	....	executive editor
Lorenza Franco	....	first assistant editor: Rome

Music Department
Sergio Marcotulli	....	music mixer
Natale Massara	....	conductor
Paolo Steffan	....	musician: synthesizer

Transportation Department
Jon Bergholz	....	transportation coordinator
Edward J. France	....	driver
Anthony J. Yannone	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Bert Bell	....	interpreter
Lisa Bradley	....	production office coordinator
Kathy Carthers-Wayne	....	choreographer
Greg Day	....	public relations: international
Carlo Du Bois	....	production accountant: Rome
Allegra Elson	....	production secretary
Kenneth Gargaro	....	dialogue coach
Kevin Halloran	....	location consultant: PBS
Enrico Lucherini	....	unit publicist: Italy (as Lucherini-Fantoli)
Aldo Mafera	....	title designer
Judy Matthews	....	location manager
Matthew Myers	....	production assistant
Chris Peworckik-Call	....	cat wrangler
Grant Rhinehart	....	craft service
Andrew Sands	....	production assistant
J.S. Shoe	....	script supervisor
Luciano Tartaglia	....	production accountant
Burton White	....	dialogue coach

Production Companies

• ADC Films
• Gruppo Bema

Distributors

• Cinor (1992) (France) (theatrical)
• Taurus Entertainment Company (1991) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (UK) (2002) (UK) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Another World Entertainment (2008) (Denmark) (DVD)
• Arrow Video (199?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Beam Entertainment (Japan) (DVD producer)
• Blue Underground (2003) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)
• Blue Underground (2005) (worldwide) (DVD)
• Blue Underground (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-Ray)
• Cinefear (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (1990s) (Australia) (VHS)
• Creative Axa Co. Ltd. (Japan) (DVD)
• Finnkino (1998) (Finland) (VHS)
• Firebox (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
• Fox Video (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (1992) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Living Colour Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Mr. Horror Presents #11)
• Media Home Entertainment (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• Record Visión S.A. (1992) (Spain) (VHS)
• Stomp Visual (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Video Treasures (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Viking Video (2000) (Russia) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Perpetual Motion Pictures

Other Companies

• Cinesicurtà  insurance brokers
• Faso Edizioni Musicali  music production
• Fono Roma  post-production facilities
• Perpetual Motion Pictures  optical effects
• Studio A.M.  titles and opticals
• Zahiya & Associates Inc.  public relations

Also Known As:

"Due occhi diabolici" - Italy (original title)

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

Italy | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:R | France:-16 | Germany:18 | Norway:18 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R | Spain:18 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Argentina:18 | Germany:BPjM Restricted | Finland:K-16 | Italy:VM14 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | New Zealand:R18

Filming Locations:

Le Mardi Gras - 731 Copeland St, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

ADC Films

Trivia:

Director Dario Argento originally planned a cable show based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. George A. Romero had agreed to direct the pilot hour "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar", Michele Soavi was inked for "The Masque of the Red Death (which had been Romero's original choice) and Richard Stanley was up for "The Cask of Amontillado" (Michael Gambon had been cast as Fortunato and Jonathan Pryce as Montressor). Sadly Romero struck out and only one further episode ("The Black Cat") written and directed by Argento himself was produced. The other scripts ended up on the shelf.

Quotes:

Policeman:We found blood in the freezer down in the cellar.
Det. Grogan:Christ! Rich people... Sick stuff always turns out to be rich people.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Profondo Rosso: From Celluloid to Shop (2011)

Worth Seeing for Argento film than Romero film.

These two tales of horror are inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe. The Two Tales are titled "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar" and "The Black Cat". "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar" is written and directed by George A. Romero (Bruiser, The Dark Half). "The Black Cat" is directed by Dario Argento (The Stendhal Syndrome, Trauma).

"The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar". The story is about a conniving wife (Adrienne Barbeau) and her lover (Ramy Zada) use a hypnotic trance to embezzle a fortune from her dying husband (Bingo O'Malley). His wife and her lover are receiving surprises messages from the behind the grave, when her husband died unexpectedly.

"The Black Cat". The story is about a talented but unfocused photographer (Harvey Keitel) is driven into madness, when his girlfriend's (Madeleine Potter) new pet. This man is driven to brutal acts of crimes and murder.

Romero's take on "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar" is a mix of high camp, heavy handed and some real silliness but what it makes it watchable is the good performances by the three leads:Barbeau, Zada and O'Malley. E.G. Marshall has a small role. Romero's wife:Christine Forrest and Tom Atkins appears in Cameos.

Argento's take on "The Black Cat" is near perfect. Harvey Keitel gives a powerful performance and this one hour film is a study of obsession. The only fault is the shortcoming conclusion. This story has a good cast like Sally Kirkland, Martin Balsam, John Amos and Kim Hunter. This is One of Argento's best works as a director. Written by the director and Franco Ferrini (Demons).

Blue Underground did an excellent job of doing an newly transferred from an original vault negative on this two-disc set. Also the sound is been remastered to Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround Sound (Also in DTS 6.1 ES Surround Sound). The DVD has the original theatrical trailer, poster & still gallery and talent bios. The film features grisly terrific make-up effects by Tom Savini and great music score by Pino Donaggio (Carrie, Dressed to Kill, The Howling). Disc two has an entertaining featurette with interviews by Romero, Argento, Savini and vintage interview with an young 14 year-old Asia Argento. Second Disc also has 12 minute featurette with Savini about the F/X work, other Savini featurette showing parts of his house back in the late 1980's and an outtake from "Document of the Dead" with interview with actress Barbeau.

This independent production was briefly released into theaters in the U.S but become a wild horror hit in Europe. This is a Cult Film. I would really love to see Dario Argento's take on "The Black Cat" as a full length two hour film. Imagine what would Argento could have done with that. George A. Romero's "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar" rates (*** ½/*****). and Dario Argento's "The Black Cat" rates (**** ½/*****). Both films rates together (****/*****). Do not miss this forgotten horror stories done by Two Talented Directors.