The Toolbox Murders *** (1978, Cameron Mitchell, Pamelyn Ferdin, Nicolas Beauvy, Wesley Eure) – Classic Movie Review 6000

Pamelyn Ferdin and Nicholas Beauvy star as a couple, Laurie and Joey Ballard, who move into an LA hotel apartment complex. And that is unfortunate because there the young women are being terrorised by a maniac killer wearing a balaclava-type ski-mask.

Director Dennis Donnelly’s 1978 movie may seem clumsy and clunky, with nasty violence punctuating scenes that do not always have the required suspense and tension.

But, still, it is a full-on and seminal Seventies slasher horror chiller, that starts well and finally does eventually pace up for a nailbitingly scary climax.

Cameron Mitchell plays the hotel block manager. Also in the cast are Wesley Eure, Tim Donnelly, Aneta Corsaut, Faith McSwain, Marciee Drake and Evelyn Guerrero.

It is written by Neva Friedenn, Robert Easter and Ann Kindberg, shot by Gary Graver, produced by Tony DiDio and scored by George Deaton.

The movie was long on the video nasties list but was finally re-released by Vipco on VHS and later on DVD. It is cut by the BBFC in two scenes for the British 18 rated version.

It was remade in 2004 by Tobe Hooper as Toolbox Murders.

Toolbox Murders 2 appeared in 2013.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6000

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