The Italian Machine

This isn't really horror, but it does feature Cronenberg's trademark fetishistic attitudes towards machines – in this case, a wild-looking motor enthusiast who becomes obsessed with acquiring a rare classic model currently in possession of a rich man. In fact, he fumes at the prospect of it being used as mere decoration in the latter's house – the film, then, is also a commentary on what constitutes true art (among the rich man's gallery of possessions is even a stud!).

Anyway, the motor enthusiast insinuates himself (along with a couple of associates) into the rich man's house with the excuse that they're interviewing him for some magazine; however, his uncontrollable excitement – both at the sight of the machine and its owner's neglect of it – almost gives the game away! Eventually, they turn to the stud – who happens to be a coke addict – for help: he's to persuade his 'master' to give the bike to him, which he will then trade with our protagonist for a supply of drugs!

Incidentally, the rich man's attractive young wife – who, unsurprisingly, has her own use for the stud – also turns her attention to their guests…but it soon becomes apparent to her that all they're interested in is the titular object! The film is marked by a fair amount of humor, which isn't the most obvious element to be found in a Cronenberg film – as evidenced even by THE LIE CHAIR (1975), another made-for-TV short and which followed this in quick succession