A Lizard in a Woman's Skin (1971)

The potentially unhinged daughter of a British politician is accused of killing her hedonistic neighbor after she witnesses the murder in a dream.

Director:

Lucio Fulci

Writers:

Lucio Fulci (story), Roberto Gianviti (story)

Stars:

Florinda Bolkan, Jean Sorel, Stanley Baker

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Florinda Bolkan	...	Carol Hammond
Jean Sorel	...	Frank Hammond
Stanley Baker	...	Inspector Corvin
Silvia Monti	...	Deborah
Alberto de Mendoza	...	Sergeant Brandon
Penny Brown	...	Jenny
Mike Kennedy	...	Hubert
Ely Galleani	...	Joan Hammond (as Edy Gall)
George Rigaud	...	Dr. Kerr
Ezio Marano	...	Lowell - Scientific Squad
Franco Balducci	...	McKenna
Erzsi Paál	...	Mrs. Gordon (as Ersi Pond)
Luigi Antonio Guerra	...	Policeman
Gaetano Imbró	...	Policeman
Leo Genn	...	Edmond Brighton

Storyline

In London, Carol Hammond lives in a fancy building with her husband Frank Hammond and her stepdaughter Joan Hammond. Carol is the beloved daughter of the wealthy and prominent lawyer and politician Edmond Brighton and Frank is his partner in his office and has a love affair with Deborah. Carol's next door neighbor Julia Durer is a depraved woman that promotes parties with drugs and orgies. Carol has psychoanalyze sessions with Dr. Kerr and is intrigued with a nightmare where she stabs Julia to death three times with a couple watching the murder. When Julia is found dead in her apartment, the efficient Inspector Corvin and his partner Sgt. Brandon are assigned to investigate. All the evidences point out to Carol, but was a dream or reality?

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Plot Keywords:

orgy | lesbian lover | topless female nudity | giallo | nipples | 

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Taglines:

WARNING! Not Recommended Viewing for Persons with Schizophrenic Tendencies!

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Leo Genn plays a lawyer in the film. Before becoming an actor, Genn was a practicing barrister, and was a prosecutor in the Belsen war crimes trial.

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Goofs

Despite being credited in advertising, Anita Strindberg doesn't receive an onscreen credit in the film itself.

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Quotes

Hubert: What do you expect us to do with all that acid inside us, huh?
Jenny: We were filled with acid from our heads to our toes. And you know something? Under the effect of acid, I look at you here and all I see is a red blob. Or a galloping horse.
Inspector Corvin: You don't remember anything at all about that night?
Hubert: Yeah, I remember. Yes, I remember, seeing that night, a lizard - in a woman's skin.
Inspector Corvin: Shit!
Hubert: No, beautiful. Just beautiful.

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Alternate Versions

The American version released in 1973 (as Schizoid) was actually seven minutes longer than the current Italian print of that time. AIP restored some self-censored erotic footage (mostly in the orgy and dream sequences) and marketed the film to the swinging Euro/trash/nudity enthusiasts of the era.

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Connections

References The Birds (1963)

User Reviews

Among Fulci's best

Carol Hammond is having bizarre recurring dreams which she is going to a psychiatrist to find the meaning of. In her subsequent later dreams she finds herself killing her promiscuous nubile neighbor.when the aforementioned neighbor is then found murdered in real life with Carol's penknife found at the scene she becomes a prime suspect. Shriek Show dropped the ball with this one somewhat. With the shorter American "Schizord" version getting a better transfer, while the original Italian version is relegated to the second disc. It doesn't look as good and is in full-screen. It's great to own this at all, but I was somewhat disheartened. That being said, this is one of Fulci's best, if somewhat dated, Giallos It keeps you guessing, and is never boring.

My Grade: B

Anchor Bay 2-DVD set Extras: Disc 1) USA "Schizoid" version; Radio spots; US Trailer; Trailers for "Zombi 2", "City of the Living Dead", "Touch of Death", "House of Clocks", "Sweet House of Horrors", "Demonia", and "Death Trance" Disc 2) 98 minute Italian version, 33 minute "Shedding the Skin" documentary, and Photo Gallery 1 Easter Egg: go to the 'Scene access', Go to chapter 4, then press right, in the lower-left of the screen you'll see a highlighted bat.Press play for 2 deleted scenes.

Eye Candy: Florida Bolken, Anita Strindberg; various extras show boobs and butts

Details

Country:

Italy France Spain UK

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

20 March 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lizard in a Woman's Skin

Filming Locations:

Temple Church, Temple, Holborn, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Apollo Films, Les Films Corona, Atlántida Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1