One night, his landlord’s cat gets stuck behind his wall. When Walter attempts to free the cat by plunging a knife into the sheet rock he inadvertently kills the cat. Inspiration strikes, as he takes the shapeless mound of clay and covers the cat corpse with it. He then brings it to the coffeehouse where “Dead Cat” is instantly lauded as great art! Girls start paying attention to Walter. They even offer to go home with him. Soon, a prestigious art collector makes Walter an impressive offer for “Dead Cat.” With others clamoring to see other pieces of his work, Walter hits a narcotics officer (Bert Convy, The Cannonball Run) over the head with a frying fan, covering him with clay for his latest masterpiece, “Dead Man. “When his fans want more, is Walter willing to keep up the charade?
As much a dark comedy as a horror movie, screenwriter Charles B. Griffith had been inspired by the various coffeehouses he and director Roger Corman had visited on the Sunset Strip. Shot for just $50,000 in five days, the films dark humor mixes well with its murder set pieces and decidedly odd twists. Beautifully shot in black and white, A Bucket of Blood is one of the director’s finest works. Every scene is played straight so the horror is never lessened with a simple nod. Dick Miller is excellent in the central role. There’s something likable about Walter Paisley. Even as he becomes more depraved, you’re still rooting for the guy. The supporting cast does solid work as well. Anthony Carbone is memorable as the grouchy coffeehouse owner and Barbara Mouris looks gorgeous as the object of Walter’s desire
For most, A Bucket of Blood may not be among Roger Corman’s best known works, but it’s sharp, we’ll made and well worth the Olive Signature treatment it’s been given.
A new 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative, the film is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This is by far, the best the film has ever looked on home video. The black and white image looks stunning throughout, with good grayscale’s, perfect shadow detail and plenty of depth. Black levels are nice and inky and grain structure looks good. DNR doesn’t appear to be in evidence.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is a simple, but solid. Dialogue and effects are clean, clear and concise, with no apparent defects.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- Audio Commentary with Director Elijah Drenner: The director of That Guy Dick Miller offers up lots of information on Dick Miller’s career, his legacy and much more. Very informative commentary.
- Creation Is. All Else Is Not (HD, 7:51) A new interview with Roger Corman where he talks about financing the film, the fact that he had total control of it and his determination to mix horror and comedy.
- Call Me Paisley (HD, 11:55) A 2018 interview with actor Dick Miller and his Wife Lainie, shot a few months before he died.
- Interview with Charles B. Griffith (HD, 20:09) In this archival interview, Griffith discusses his professional relationship with Roger Corman and some of the films they did together.
- Bits of Bucket (HD, 7:14) Visual essay comparing the original script to the final version of the film. Narrated by Elijah Drenner.
- Essay: An essay on the film by Caelum Vatnsdal, author of “You Don’t Know Me, But You Love Me: The Lives of Dick Miller.” In text format. It’s also included in the enclosed booklet.
- Rare Prologue (HD, 9:48) From a German release of A Bucket of Blood, which was marketed as a sequel to House of Wax and retitled The Legacy of Professor Bondi. (In German, with subtitles.)
- Super-8 “Digest” Version (HD, 8:18) A silent 8mm version of A Bucket of Blood.
- Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:46)
- German Trailer (HD, 2:20)
- Booklet: 6-page booklet includes the Caelum Vatnsdal essay.
