I will say one thing for this film; the screenplay works very hard to package and properly deliver its big "twist" 20 minutes from the end, and it actually plays fair with the audience in the process. The nature of the twist is actually thematically consistent and springs out of the the setup in the first five minutes. I saw the twist coming almost immediately, but I still have to give credit to the director and the screenwriter - they took an old, stale premise and gave it a good (if somewhat contrived) setup, and then they milked the story for all it was worth. Two extra stars for the plotting and the story arc.
As for the rest, well...the cinematography is strictly from poverty, but it sort of works in the context of this claustrophobic setup. Similarly, the acting is barely community theater level, but it might have been a little better if the director had the budget for a few more takes. The actors at least seem to know their lines and deliver them with conviction and energy; and whoever dubbed the various screams and shrieks on the soundtrack knew how to get the most out of their vocal cords. The actress who plays the nurse is a fox, but her character doesn't seem to have a whole lot of wattage running through her blockhouse, if you know what I mean...if someone cames out my bedroom closet with a knife, I would be OUT of there no matter WHAT anyone said.
The plot does supply the occasional jolt of energy, (especially when one actress - NOT the Playboy playmate - pops her breasts out for various male onlookers - )but the whole thing generally just drags after the first 10 minutes and can't really sustain the mood. Fortunately, the big twist and the Grand Guignol finish are a fair amount of fun, and are almost worth the extended scenes where the patients get on each other's nerves and harass the nurse.
The title "Don't Look In the Basement", while intriguing, is misleading, and costs the movie at least one of the stars the screenplay earned it. When the nurse finally goes into the basement, it turns out to be the nicest place in the house. Yes, there IS an unpleasant surprise down there, but it is hardly the gut-wrenching shock implied by the title. (This might be why the movie was also released under several other titles).
In summary: nice little plot, nice tits on the nymphomaniac, decent moments here and there, but nothing to go out of your way to see. I had this on a "Drive In Movies Classics" 50 pack, and it ranks firmly in the middle of all the "classics" I've seen so far.
As for the rest, well...the cinematography is strictly from poverty, but it sort of works in the context of this claustrophobic setup. Similarly, the acting is barely community theater level, but it might have been a little better if the director had the budget for a few more takes. The actors at least seem to know their lines and deliver them with conviction and energy; and whoever dubbed the various screams and shrieks on the soundtrack knew how to get the most out of their vocal cords. The actress who plays the nurse is a fox, but her character doesn't seem to have a whole lot of wattage running through her blockhouse, if you know what I mean...if someone cames out my bedroom closet with a knife, I would be OUT of there no matter WHAT anyone said.
The plot does supply the occasional jolt of energy, (especially when one actress - NOT the Playboy playmate - pops her breasts out for various male onlookers - )but the whole thing generally just drags after the first 10 minutes and can't really sustain the mood. Fortunately, the big twist and the Grand Guignol finish are a fair amount of fun, and are almost worth the extended scenes where the patients get on each other's nerves and harass the nurse.
The title "Don't Look In the Basement", while intriguing, is misleading, and costs the movie at least one of the stars the screenplay earned it. When the nurse finally goes into the basement, it turns out to be the nicest place in the house. Yes, there IS an unpleasant surprise down there, but it is hardly the gut-wrenching shock implied by the title. (This might be why the movie was also released under several other titles).
In summary: nice little plot, nice tits on the nymphomaniac, decent moments here and there, but nothing to go out of your way to see. I had this on a "Drive In Movies Classics" 50 pack, and it ranks firmly in the middle of all the "classics" I've seen so far.