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For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
The Toolbox Murders (1978) - (Blu-ray)
Over the years I’ve spent watching horror and exploitation films there are a few films out there that are simply awesome because of the factor that they don’t “give a shit”. By that I mean there are movies out there that bring their subject matter and present it in a manner in which the director/producer doesn’t “give a shit” about how offensive or depraved it may be. Actually in the exploitation genre the more the better is probably your best bet. Movies like “Cannibal Holocaust” and “Last House on the Left” have managed to shock and awe for years because the fact that they weren’t worried about boundaries when it comes to the subject matter on display. That’s another reason why I’ve always been a fan of 1978's slashtastic flick “The Toolbox Murders”.
“The Toolbox Murders” is basically about a man hacking up women in an apartment building with an assortment of tools. Of course there is some mystery about when Joey decides to find out what happened to his 15 year old kidnapped sister, Laurie. Does Vance Kingsley (played wonderfully by the legendary Cameron Mitchell) have something to do with it? Is it another tenant in the apartment building? Either way, you end up with a nice and sleazy version of the slasher film that actually predates the glut of those films that made up the slasher trend in the early 80s.
Although I’ve always enjoyed this movie I have to say that it’s one that is enjoyable but because it’s rather unconventional. Basically the movie doesn’t fall into all of the traps that your typical slasher film does because it was made before all of the slasher cliches became apparent. The movie starts out with the first half an hour being devoted to nothing less than women getting killed one after one. Then it starts to further the story along and even further into sleazy territory and for someone like me, that’s certainly not a bad thing. Of course the first half hour would get any self respecting horror/exploitation fans attention, it’s what happens after that actually holds your attention as the viewer. The movie is part thriller/mystery until the killer is given up about halfway through the movie and manages to shift gears again! This might make it sound completely disjointed and aimless but that is definitely NOT the case here. It actually adds another dimension to the film that really takes it in a interesting path with a wonderful climax as well.
One of the best kill scenes in slasher film history in my opinion has to be the on screen death of Marianne Walter (known to adult film audiences better as starlet Kelly Nichols). The scene is sleazy as all hell with the killer chasing her around her apartment with a nailgun as she runs and screams naked from head to toe. It also helps that she looks outstanding in the scene that gets started after a quick masterbation scenario in her bath tub. It certainly takes the sleaze up another level but the scene is acted well and played out great making it extremely memorable.
The video quality of the new Blue Underground Blu-ray is absolutely stunning making it officially the “prettiest” version of the film that I’ve ever seen. They did a wonderful job restoring this one as the color looks great, the colors aren’t washed out at all and I would have to say it’s definitely an improvement over the previous DVD release by far.
The audio quality here is lacking a bit even with the 7.1 audio that this Blu-ray comes with. It’s just not that sound intensive to really worry about it in the first place but if you’re expecting this film to push the limits of your home theater’s audio then think again. But I’m sure most people understand that’s not what a title like this is going to do in the first place, which didn’t really bother me in the least. I just figured I would mention it because sound has become instrumental for a lot of people will these high grade home theaters.
The special features mirror the ones that appeared on the Blue Underground DVD minus the Poster & Stills gallery or the Cameron Mitchell bio that appeared. You still have audio commentary from producer Tony DiDio, DP Gary Graver and actress Pamelyn Ferdie. There’s also a quick featurette titled “I got nailed in THE TOOLBOX MURDERS” complete with an interview with Marianne Walker (aka Kelly Nichols). It also has a theatrical trailer, tv spots and radio spots alike.
Overall I would say that as a film, “The Toolbox Murders” is a pretty solid one, especially if you look at the time frame it was made. It delivers full tilt on the sleaze and is a movie I actually do go back and revisit once ever couple of years. I do have to admit though that it was extremely nice to see the effort that went into this Blu-ray from the folks at Blue Underground and I dare to say that now I have even a nicer way to go back and check it out when I do so again!
Rating - ***
Blu-ray Rating - ***
-Ed Demko
