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Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things

  • 1971
  • R
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.1/10
710
YOUR RATING
Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things (1971)
Dark ComedySlasher HorrorComedyCrimeHorrorThriller

Two over-the-top eccentric fugitives become roommates in Miami to avoid the law, while one dresses as the other's aunt in drag, leading to deception and murder.Two over-the-top eccentric fugitives become roommates in Miami to avoid the law, while one dresses as the other's aunt in drag, leading to deception and murder.Two over-the-top eccentric fugitives become roommates in Miami to avoid the law, while one dresses as the other's aunt in drag, leading to deception and murder.

  • Director
    • Thomas Casey
  • Writer
    • Thomas Casey
  • Stars
    • Abe Zwick
    • Wayne Crawford
    • Don Craig
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.1/10
    710
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Thomas Casey
    • Writer
      • Thomas Casey
    • Stars
      • Abe Zwick
      • Wayne Crawford
      • Don Craig
    • 21User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos40

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    Top cast27

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    Abe Zwick
    • Paul
    Wayne Crawford
    Wayne Crawford
    • Stanley
    • (as Scott Lawrence)
    Don Craig
    • Hubert
    Robin Hughes
    • Vicki
    Yanka Mann
    Yanka Mann
    • Mrs. Adams
    Marty Cordova
    • Alma
    Maggie Wood
    • Dolores
    Mike Mingoia
    • Joe
    Jessie Eastland
    • Jerry
    • (as Robert De Meo)
    Sandra Lurie
    • Mary Lou
    Brad F. Grinter
    • Lt. Farrell
    Charles Guanci
    • Sgt. Baker
    Francelia Waterbury
    • Mrs. Johnson
    Victor Anchipolovsky
    • Mr. Johnson
    Joseph Bracci
    • Policeman
    Terry Craig
    • Policeman
    Rita Dagovitz
    • Police Secretary
    Pat Finn-Lee
    Pat Finn-Lee
    • Neighbor
    • (as Pat Erle)
    • Director
      • Thomas Casey
    • Writer
      • Thomas Casey
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    5.1710
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    Featured reviews

    EyeAskance

    Characteristically undefinable thing from the running-naked freedom of 70s cinema.

    Don't be deceived by the misleading title, because the truth is that Aunt Martha CONSTANTLY does dreadful things. In fact, "Aunt Martha" is one badass brick of a Bea Arthur lookin' transvestite who's on the lam after robbing a bank, and living incognito with Stanley, "her" virile, but dope-addled lover/accomplice. And while she may seem like a charm-schooled and self composed hostess, Aunt Martha's infernal hostilities are easily roused by the winsome young girls who follow Stanley home from time to time. Quick to exterminate these potential threats in a variety of gruesome ways, Aunt Martha proves herself a most formidable adversary when it comes to competing for Stanley's affections.

    Delightfully off-hand weirdness, AUNT MARTHA is archetypal of the anything-goes craziness of low-budget 70s cinema...a film so abstractly imagined and impulsively realized, it alights with a desultory otherness so reverently sincere that it steals a place in your heart usually reserved for awkwardly cross-bred puppies. Forgivable of its general inelegance, this is a fine specimen of a most exiguous film species.

    7/10.
    Unknownian

    Cult 70's Classic... almost

    The working title was: "Don't Spank Baby".

    Wayne Crawford went on to become a successful producer, films like Valley Girl, Night of the Comet and others, even though he wasn't too terrific in this little Gem. And little known Abe Zwick should have gotten tons of work from this film but didn't. Filmed at Moberly Studios in Hollywood Florida, on the same lot the early Tarzan movies were filmed. This film is definitely for those who appreciate the abstract. The movie was originally shot with much more bloody graphic slasher scenes. For reasons only known to Tom Casey the Director, the bloody slasher scenes were given a tab of LSD, and replaced by Flash Editing. Even though this version is worthy of a look for those so inclined, in my opinion the original version would have packed the punch needed to make this a full on Slasher 70's Cult Classic.
    3S1rr34l

    A Dreadful Piece Of Filmmaking By Aunt Martha... Give Aunt Martha A Wide Berth...

    The most dreadful thing Aunt Martha does is bring you this film.

    There is only one redeeming object in the entire show. Nestled within the story is a modest seed of a story concept - one I may use for a story I have in mind. Crooks on the run from the law take to lying low in a Motel. While there, one of them dresses as a woman, Aunt Martha, so he can move about freely to assess the situation and keep tabs on the cops.

    The concept offers lots of possibilities. Using a few of the options would enhance both story and film a hundredfold. Unfortunately, what writer and director Thomas Casey gives us is pure tedium. The story is lazily written and underdeveloped. It's a hodgepodge of a tale about a psychopath and his partner in crime and... sex. The progression and motives for the murders are clear, although most are unrealistic. And Casey presents them to us in a mundane matter-of-fact manner.

    The lack of substance doesn't end with Paul or Martha's characterisations. It bleeds through to the story. There's not enough in this film to keep your attention on the screen. I found myself constantly looking away, and I even turned on the dreaded laptop - the killer of all focus.

    Casey is worse at directing than writing; there was little hope for this flick. He takes a point-and-shoot stance to the filming and has little to no consideration for the pace of the film. The end product is little more than a straight-forward and often uninteresting rendition of an awful story.

    At least the actor who played Paul's partner, Stanley, appears to have had a joyous time. Wayne Crawford isn't a marvellous actor, but he instils Stanley with an impish temperament. It lifts the direness of the movie, but not enough.

    I would suggest steering well clear of this turkey - even at Thanksgiving. Though if a copy creeps up on you, then do the world a favour and bury it in a deep hole under the patio in your garden. Or slip it quietly through a horrid neighbours letterbox.

    Ratings: Story 0.75 : Direction 0.5 : Pace 0.5 : Acting 1 : Enjoyment 0.5 Total 3.25 out of 10.

    Now click on through to my Chiller Thriller Killers list to see where the turkey and Aunt Martha charted... but better yet, to find something better for your viewing pleasure.

    Take Care and Stay Well.
    dwaltz6969

    Wacked Out Psycho Crime Drama

    Ordering movies by odd titles has always been a thing with me. Imagine my surprise when I got this one in the mail! You're never really sure at the beginning if Abe Zwick is supposed to be a man or woman. Then when he answers the phone at his house he says in a soft, feminine voice, "hello?" He repeats it once more. Then his face contorts into a frown and in a deep, bass voice says, "STANLEY!" (Stanley being his boyfriend who always ends up hooking up with women, even though he's gay). That scene sets the tone for the film and it's the two leads, Paul and Stanley who set the energetic tone of the film. This is a must see for any lover of bad films. On an interesting side note, Paul (played by Abe Zwick) looks a lot like a young Andy Kaufman.
    4planktonrules

    The title alone is why I saw this one!

    "Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things" is a guilty pleasure, pure and simple. While in some ways a terrible film, it is nevertheless fun to watch and enjoyable...provided you are a bit twisted!

    Paul and Stanley are lovers and to the outside world they are Aunt Martha and her nephew, Stanley. What?! Well, it seems Paul is a homicidal maniac and is wanted by the police for his many atrocitites. Yes, Paul is an angry guy who has the bad habit of murdering any lady who pays attention to Stanley...because Stanley is his. As for Stanley, he's not homicidal but he is a bit of an idiot. Together, you know that sooner or later the law will catch up to them.

    The acting is often cheesy and the production looks like it was made for next to nothing. Yet, inexplicably, it is funny in a strange way...almost like a John Waters film. Worth seeing IF you are an oddball...like me. Otherwise, you'll probably find it all pretty sick and stupid.

    By the way, if you want to see it, understand that there is a fair amount of nudity in addition to all the killing...so it's NOT a film I'd recommend to kids or your mother.

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    Related interests

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
    Roger Jackson in Scream (1996)
    Slasher Horror
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The poster of a naked woman in a cowboy hat and marked as cuts of meat Paul throws darts at in the kitchen was used by protesters at the 1968 Miss America pageant. It was produced by the short-lived (1967-69) feminist group New York Radical Women.
    • Goofs
      When Dolores, the waitress at Tino's cafe, is talking to "Aunt Martha" on the phone, the shadow of the microphone can be seen on the wall next to the phone.
    • Quotes

      Stanley: Hey, what's this big lump?

      Paul: [pulls out a kitchen knife] I thought it would be dangerous to leave it lying around the house. Especially with Williams up there.

      Stanley: Why? It's just a kitchen knife.

      Paul: This is the knife... that you used to kill Mrs. Johnson.

      Stanley: Let me see it.

      [takes the knife]

      Stanley: Oh, Jesus! I must've been out of my mind.

      Paul: That's what I've been telling you. You get crazy when you take drugs. And then you don't even remember what happens.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Best of the Worst: Our VHS Collection (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Pussy Cola
      Performed by Deep Throat

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    FAQ12

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    Details

    Edit
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Damn You, Aunt Martha
    • Filming locations
      • Moberly Studios, Griffin Road, Hollywood, Florida, USA(All interiors, Studio now defunct)
    • Production company
      • Paragon Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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