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What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)

Director: Curtis Harrington

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From Time Out Film Guide

With a script by Henry Farrell (author of the source novel on which What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? was based), Baby Jane in effect slays again...except that this time she's directed by Curtis Harrington, erstwhile buddy of Kenneth Anger (he acts in Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome), who knows what's camp and what's not, and the difference between melodrama and expressionism. He films this as Sternberg might have, with a great emphasis on masks and facades, underpinned with gorgeous fairytale motifs. Plus he stages the best tango since The Conformist.

Author: TR

Time Out Film Guide


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