Dementia (1955)

This film, with no dialogue at all, follows a psychotic young woman's nightmarish experiences through one skid-row night.

Director:

John Parker (uncredited)

Stars:

Adrienne Barrett, Bruno VeSota, Ben Roseman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Adrienne Barrett	...	The Gamin
Bruno VeSota	...	Rich Man (as Bruno Ve Sota)
Ben Roseman	...	Law Enforcer / Father
Richard Barron	...	Evil One
Ed Hinkle	...	Butler (as Edward Hinkle)
Lucille Howland	...	Mother
Jebbie VeSota	...	Flower Girl (as Jebbie Ve Sota)
Faith Parker	...	Nightclub Dancer
Gayne Sullivan	...	Wino
Shorty Rogers	...	Shorty Rogers (as Shorty Rogers and His Giants)

Storyline

As the narrator invites us to explore the horrors of an insane mind, a young woman wakes from a nightmare in a cheap hotel room. We follow her through the skid-row night and encounters with an abusive husband; a wino; a pimp and the rich man he panders for; a flashback to her traumatic childhood; violence; pursuit through dark streets; dementia. Filmed in film-noir style throughout; only the narrator speaks.

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Plot Keywords:

no dialogue | experimental film | cult film | surrealism | hallucination | 

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Taglines:

Not a word is spoken. Not one terror left untold.

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Genres:

Film-Noir | Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dwarf actor Angelo Rossitto appears as the newsboy. Rossitto operated a newsstand when he wasn't performing. He made similar cameo appearances as a newsboy in other films.

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Quotes

Narrator: Now all the images of horror, the demons of your mind, crowd in on you to destroy you!

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Alternate Versions

The 2000 DVD release by Kino Video features both versions of the film.

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Connections

Featured in The Blob (1958)

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Soundtracks

Wig Alley
Music by Shorty Rogers

User Reviews

ultimate noir

On the great Kino DVD, the print of "Dementia" is strikingly good; and you get some good information on the film's strange life.>

Other than that, this is a one of a kind gem, to say there is nothing else like it is only to get the ball rolling. Ten out of ten.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Daughter of Horror

Filming Locations:

Windward Avenue, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

H.K.F. Productions, J.J. Parker Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

56 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1