We’ve got a classic movie review for you today as Who Killed Teddy Bear (1965) has been remastered and released on Blu-ray, we’re bringing you our thoughts on the movie that was refused certification for its original release due it being sleazy and taboo-breaking.
There’s a depraved sex maniac on the loose when nightclub dancer, Norah Dain (Juliet Prowse, Fantasy Island) receives a series of obscene phone calls, after the first phone call she heads to work, where we are treated with some “hip youngsters” doing their thing to some groovy 60’s tracks, this is where we see the life that Norah leads in the nightclub dealing with rather dubious punters.
After an incident outside the club with Carlo (Daniel J. Travanti, Hill Street Blues), we find Norah, Carlo and club owner Marian (Elaine Stritch, Cocoon) at the police station where we meet the police detective that show interest in the disturbing call that Norah has received. Upon getting home we see Norah being watched by the stranger through binoculars and then calling her again with his creepy conversation that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck!
It’s now down to the police detective to track down the caller, but as his investigation moves along he finds himself getting far too close to Norah, but he must catch the sick, twisted, pervert before he can carry out his sick threats to Norah.
Back in 1965, when Who Killed Teddy Bear, had its original theatrical release, it was classed as being too sleazy and taboo-breaking for audiences, it’s a film that in this day and age we have seen far worse, but back then it was a shocker, that features strong performances from Sal Mineo (Escape from the Planet of the Apes) as a bodybuilding, porn-addicted busboy and of course Juliet Prowse, it also has some great cinematography from Joseph C. Brun with the use of lighting and shades nicely done in the world of a black and white movie.
As I mentioned earlier, the music for Who Killed Teddy Bear is up-tempo when its needed and sinister for those moments with the sick caller making calls and scenes of him stalking Norah, a chilling soundtrack by Charles Calello.
Who Killed Teddy Bear is still an unnerving film that had me gripped from the start to find out who the mystery caller/stalker would be. The Blu-ray release of the film has been scanned from one of the few surviving 35mm prints in the original cinema format of 1.85:1, so it looks good on a modern-day widescreen TV, there are those occasional vertical scratch lines on the screen, but considering the film is over 53 years-old it looks good for its age, there has also been missing frames/sections re-instated from the 16mm print.
This new Blu-ray release is certainly one that classic movie fans will be interested in, Who Killed Teddy Bear is a great addition to a movie collector collection, it’s also great to see some good special features on these releases and this release is no exception with the inclusion of the original Trailer, Court Martial episode, LSD: Insight or Insanity?, Stills gallery and some PDF material.
Who Killed Teddy Bear is released on Blu-ray on 17th September 2018.
Enter the Sleazy world of Who Killed Teddy Bear
Movie title: Who Killed Teddy Bear (1965)
Movie description: In New York, a disco hostess is stalked by a sexual predator and she requests help from a vice squad detective who takes a personal interest in the case.
Date published: September 10, 2018
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 34min
Director(s): Joseph Cates
Actor(s): Sal Mineo, Juliet Prowse, Jan Murray
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
