The Walls Have Eyes (1969)

A Disappointing Continuation

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This 28-minute "skin noir" masterwork features legendary muscle-head Steve Hawkes in his triumphant feature debut full of chills, thrills, spills, canned music, trend-setting landing strip hair-dos, bad post sync dialogue and continuity errors. Before playing Herschel the pot-addicted turkey monster or 'Zan of the Jungle, Steve played brutish boxer Jack Owens. First seen laying into a punching bag and beating up four punks in an alleyway, Jack is so brutish that even our friendly narrator predicts he'll be the hero about thirty seconds into the film. He's just that kind of guy. Professional stripper Jody Baby also puts in an Oscar-worthy performance as Connie Martin, a wealthy nympho who becomes so distracted shooting up dope and massaging her breasts in front of a two-way mirror she doesn't even notice the pervert motel manager (Bill Henry) standing behind it photographing her! Through a magical technique never before seen on screen, the manager is able to stand in just one location yet get footage both in front of and behind Connie, as well as close-ups and high camera angles looking down upon her as she thrashes around on bed licking her lips. During the heart-stopping climax the ruthless manager lures nubile young Connie back to the hotel to show her his footage of her motel romp. She's aghast when she discovers she was photographed without her knowledge. I mean, the lighting conditions are totally unflattering and it was so dark she had no idea she just screwed the love child of Sylvester Stallone and Elvis Presley. And now the guy wants five thousand dollars? The horror! Can Jack get there in time to beat some sense into the blackmailing creep? I guess you'll just have to watch to find out.

What the heck was going on in the Miami film world in the 1960s. During this decade some of the worst movies in film history were produced in Miami-Dade County. Of course Frank Sinatra made some outstanding local movies-Tony Rome, Lady in Cement, and A Hole in the Head. But, for the most part they were turkey's like this one. The only reason I can think of to see this really foul-smelling "Z" film, is to see the beautiful and sexy Jody Baby. If my memory serves me correctly, Jody Baby was a local Miami star attraction at the strip-clubs, and Go-Go bars in Miami; the Castaways, Club Pigalle, and Jilly's. I think Jody Baby made a few other movies, but can't recall their names or cast. I may be mistaken, but I believe she knew or was friendly with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.

I'm a fan of cult-actor Steve Hawkes. Felt bad for him when he was burned-up in a film and his movie career ended. And even felt worse when his prize-tiger was shot and killed. However, this movie rates as his worst! It is the major pits. A stinker among stinkers. Not as classically bad as Plan 9 from Outer Space, but it gives Ed Wood's film a run for its money.Veteran bit-actor William "Wild Bill" Henry, who acted in minor parts in over 100 or more films, looks embarrassed to be seen in this mess. At least the-majority of his other roles were in first rate movies with top flight stars. But, Henry is most remembered being associated with this complete bomb.Sexy Jody Baby, famous for her role in Hot Pearl Snatch, looks sexy and beautiful, but the poor girl can't act a lick. She seems to be a stripper or something, and quickly vanished from the "B" movie scene in the mid-1960s; most likely married a millionaire and is living in Palm Beach.I think that viewers should be paid to see this mess. Better yet, let them keep their money and rent a decent film.

THE WALLS HAVE EYES is a self-described "Skin Noir" flick brought to us by Steve Hawkes. It's a bizarre, droning tale of a woman doing naughty things in a motel and videotaped against her will in a strange blackmail scam. Having given that brief summary, let me say that there is nothing worth watching in this short film! Even the nude scenes complete with "masturbation" are dull and pointless. The music is somewhere between underwater organ and fever dream, and succeeds only in making the viewer feel disoriented and somewhat ill. My advice to the viewer is: if you have the opportunity to watch this trainwreck, run! Run as fast and as far as you can!