Orgy of the Dead is a 1965 American horror feature film directed by Stephen C. Apostolof under the alias A. C. Stephen. The screenplay was adapted by cult film director Edward D. Wood Jr. (Night of the Ghouls; Plan 9 from Outer Space; Necromania) from his own novel.
Cinematographer Robert Caramico later worked on Octaman; Blackenstein; Eaten Alive; Spawn of the Slithis and directed shockumentary Sex Rituals of the Occult (1971).
The film’s graveyard prologue is a recreation of the opening scene from Ed Wood’s then-unreleased 1958 film Night of the Ghouls. Criswell reprises his role from the earlier film. Barrington doubles as the blonde Gold Girl (inspired by Shirley Eaton’s role in Goldfinger) while her red-headed “Shirley” character watches her perform. Criswell’s undead consort, the sexy Ghoulita, was written for Maila Nurmi, aka Vampira but was instead played by Fawn Silver, who wore a black bouffant wig.
A young couple, Bob (William Bates) and Shirley (Pat Barrington, billed as Pat Barringer) survive a car crash only to find themselves tied to posts in a misty cemetery where they are forced to watch dead spirits dance for the Emperor of the Night played by Criswell.
Ten striptease performances by dancers from beyond the grave outfitted in various motifs comprise most of this movie. The Wolf Man (wearing a very obvious mask) and The Mummy make an appearance…
Click here to read the full script
Reviews [click links to read more]:
“Orgy of the Dead is simply one of the worst, and therefore essential viewing. It’s hard to figure out how Wood could have written a comprehensive script, as the screen time is mostly taken up by the ample amount of dancers who come out to strut their stuff — this film runs over 90 minutes, and Ed even manages to throw in some light whipping and flogging for the fetish crowd.” DVD Drive-In
” …Ed still retains his mastery of otherworldly characters, silly situations, and idiotic dialogue, all of which are on naked display (literally!) in 1965’s Orgy of the Dead.” The Official Razzie Movie Guide
“There are ten —count ’em — ten striptease numbers in this flick, and while most of the gals are attractive enough, their gyrations, set to lame lounge-style music, are anything but erotic […] These topless routines just go on and on and on…” Eccentric Cinema
Trivia:
The production title was Orgies of the Dead.
The post Orgy of the Dead – USA, 1965 – reviews appeared first on MOVIES & MANIA.