It's been quite a while since we've inducted someone from Euro-horror into this site's Horror Crush section. But, we're about to correct as we do just that with the gorgeous Almanta Suska!
There is very little to no info on Suska online, other than Google also has under the name Almanta Keller. And, according to her IMDb, she has a total of nine acting credits. But, only one of them is a horror movie. Ahh, but what a movie it is! As it's Lucio Fulci's The New York Ripper!
The New York Ripper deals with police Lieutenant Fred Williamson (Jack Hedley) who is after a sadistic killer who likes to slice up beautiful women with various sharp instruments. Oh and he quacks like a duck.
Having a gritty and sleazy feel and adding the very graphic violence inflicted upon women, earned it much controversy. In someways, it might be the most infamous of Fulci's movies. It was even labeled as being misogynistic by some.
And, yes it is a nasty and brutal mix of sex, slasher, and giallo. But, is also a damn good movie. The odd choice of the quacking killer brings it down a notch or two. So while it ain't S or A tier Fulci, it's damn fucking good and probably in his top five or six best works.
Suska plays Fay, a woman who survives an attack from the razor blade wielding killer. She's a witness now, so the killer definitely wants her dead. Suska is good in her role making for a likable girl. She's also incredibly beautiful, with one of the prettiest faces you're likely to see anywhere. Kind of a shame she didn't do more horror, and honestly more acting in general, cause the camera really likes her. And, she does a good job with what she's given. Honestly, I could totally have seen her do way more Euro-horror flicks and have done great in them.
And, that's it as far as the genre goes. Suska left the movie industry by the 90s. But, her beauty (those gorgeous eyes and long, blonde hair!) and likable performance in one of the master's most infamous movies, more than qualify her for induction into Horror Crushes!t v
It has been a long time since I have picked a Horror Crush induction or, to be honest, written much of anything. A big part of that is that I have and am going through a very rough time. The passing of my six year old terrier mix, Zoey, who was my absolute everything, has devastated me. I am finding it very hard to cope, but have been feeling the inkling to slowly start writing again has been itching me. A recent revisit of one of my favorite movies, Lucio Fulci's Zombie further cemented this in mind. Or more so, this piece that you are about to read. And, so I wanted to show some love and induct one of that masterpiece's beautiful stars, the stunning Olga Karlatos and make her the next official Horror Crush inductee!
Olga Karlatos was born in Athens, Greece on April 20, 1945. Between the 60s and 70s, she had a short lived music career, in which she sang in both French and Italian. Her acting career began in 1975 in the movie My Friends.
Her first horror flick came in 1978's Italian movie, Damned in Venice. Like most of her movies, I haven't seen or really heard about this one before. It's about a kid getting warned about the birth of the Antichrist. In it, she plays a character named Madeline Winters. If you have seen it let me know your thoughts on it and her performance in it, in the comments section below.
Later that same year came Mexican horror movie, Cyclone. This one, I have heard in name but, regardless, never saw it. It is apparently about a crashed plane, and its survivors resorting to cannibalism. Karlatos plays a character named Monica. Again, if you've seen it tell me your thoughts on it in the comments section.
Then in 1979, came her most famous role, Lucio Fulci's classic Zombie (AKA Zombi 2, Zombie Flesh Eaters). After a zombie appears on a boat in New York City and cops shoot into the water, a daughter (Tisa Farrow) and reporter (Ian MacCulloch) go to a island to look for her missing father. There they discover the dead are rising.
One of Fulci's finest movies, this atmospheric and ultra- gory splatter film fucking rocks. While, essentially a Dawn of the Dead rip-off, it sets itself apart, as it embraces a more supernatural element and feel. It also features explicit gore with excellent make-up FX by Giannetto De Rossi. The flick is drenched in atmosphere with an exciting and rousing climax, thanks to Fulci's excellent directing.
Karlatos plays the wife, Paola, of a Dr. David Menard (Richard Johnson) who was friends with the missing father. Karlatos does a fine job here, as a beautiful wife who knows the horrors that are going and doesn't wanna be there anymore. She also takes a shower, to allow for some nudity, which I assure was absolutely necessary to the plot! This leads to her famous demise, which is the movie's most infamous splatter moment. As a zombie chases her, he grabs her by the hair, and drives her beautiful eye into a large splinter. The scene is audacious, harrowing, and never loses its power, not even in the many repeated viewings that I have given this classic! She is later devoured, showing us that zombies don't let food go to waste!
In 1984, Karlatos did her final horror film, Murder Rock, which suitably enough was also for Fulci. I have not seen this Giallo, but as a fan of Fulci, and hers, I do want. It deals with the owner of a prestigious New York ballet school teaming up with a male model, as they try solve who is killing students. Karlatos plays a character named Candice and gets top billing in this. That alone make me want to see it even more! Are any of you fans of this Fulci flick?
Also, that year she appeared in what might be her most famous role for mainstream audiences, Purple Rain, in which she played Prince's mom. Her last acting role was in 1986 for an episode of Miami Vice. In 2007, she graduated from Kent University with a law degree, and in 2010 was allowed in the Bermuda Bar Association. Karlatos may long have left the acting world, but she will always be remembered and loved by horror fans. Her role alone in Zombie will forever hold as a part of genre history. And, so with that having been said, it is my honor to official induct the absolutely gorgeous Olga Karlatos into this site's Horror Crushes!
Johnny (Stefano Madia) is a saxophone player on his way up. He has an obsessively kinky relationship with his gorgeous girlfriend Jessica (Blanca Marsillach). Early on the film we see him using his sax as a sexual stimulant, when he put up to her snatch while playing it. Very innovative, if I do say so myself! During one romp he fingers her on his motorcycle while he is driving. Unfortunately, they end up crashing, and he hits his head on a rock. He swears he is fine, though, even though that clearly hurt like a fucking bitch.
Johnny, in the meantime, passes out from the injury caused by the accident and is rushed to a hospital. The doctor that is set to operate on him is, low and behold, Dr. Simpson(!), who is distraught from his wife dumping his cheating ass. He fails to make any decisions during Johnny's emergency surgery, resulting in his death. Jessica rightfully blames the not so good doc, for her man croaking. She kidnaps the doctor and keeps him chained up. Between sexual gratification and humiliation and bodily violence on him, she sets out to have her revenge. Even though Johnny himself was far, far from the ideal boyfriend...
The Devil's Honey is a rarely seen movie directed and co-written by horror and gore master Lucio Fulci. Although, it is very far from his usual movies filled with splatter and zombies, his entry into the erotic thriller ranks among his finer works. It may lack the graphic violence that he is known for, but it is righteously raunchy in its own matter. Long unavailable in the US, especially uncut, The Devil's Honey was bought to us stateside, thanks to the fine folks at Severin Films in a solid Blu-ray release this year.
Unlike many supposedly erotic movies, especially those made state-side, this one delivers the bonerific goods. Aside from aforementioned sax and motorcycle fun, there is a hooker who paints her see-through stalkings with nail polish, right on her bush, as well as rampant nudity, including lots of glorious bush, bondage and domination with a heavy emphasis on sexual humiliation, and of course, lots of softcore sex. Of course, the women are all breathtakingly beautiful, as they tend to be in Italian genre cinema.
Not the typical Fulci movie, by any stretch of the phrase, but he goes for it with with full sleaze force. As, I said, the film is unquestionably sexy. I can say as this as a jaded viewer where it takes a lot for me too actually be turned on. Some stuff even managed to shock, especially in reference to the flashbacks to Johnny and Jessica's relationship.
The acting ranges from good to decent, and honestly any time it may not be up to snuff ,it's probably more of a result of the dubbing. Be sure to keep a look out for Fulci, himself, in a cameo, as a dude who sells our main couple some charmed bracelets.
The movie's pacing falters a little in the film's second act, only come back full force with the kinky torture filled third. A good ending that will leave you deciding what actually happens next, seals the deal on this torrid, naughty little movie.
The Devil's Honey is a sexy, raunchy, and, at times, shocking erotic thriller. As anything from the master Lucio Fulci, it pushes boundaries and is best not seen by prudes. The film remains a captivating and erotic feast, throughout, even if the middle part slows down a bit. With pretty good acting and strong directing from Fulci, it is impossible to not recommend this one, especially with the Severin Blu-ray, finally letting us see it, uncut, no less! Sleaze and Fulci lovers (some of which are probably one and the same!), take heed and see it now!
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