“Idiots. That’s what they are. Stupid idiots. Just low-class idiots.” Low-class, maybe, but idiots? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they take in The Killing Kind (1973), a little-known film directed by Curtis Harrington and starring Ann Sothern, Cindy Williams, and John Savage.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 193 – The Killing Kind (1973)
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A young man is released from prison after serving time for a sexual assault he did not commit, and submits to his impulsive urge to seek revenge against those who wronged him.
- Director: Curtis Harrington
- Writers: Tony Crechales, George Edwards
- Cinematography by: Mario Tosi
- Selected Cast:
- Ann Sothern as Thelma Lambert
- John Savage as Terry Lambert
- Ruth Roman as Rhea Benson
- Luana Anders as Louise Elmore
- Cindy Williams as Lori Davis
- Sue Bernard as Tina Moore
- Marjorie Eaton as Mrs. Orland
- Peter Brocco as Louise’s Father
- Helene Winston as Flo
Have you ever seen, or even heard of, The Killing Kind (1973)? Featuring Ann Sothern, John Savage, and Cindy Williams, this bizarre, overlooked nugget is from director Curtis Harrington. Yup, the mastermind behind films such as Night Tide (1961), Queen of Blood (1966), How Awful About Allan (1970), What’s the Matter with Helen? (1971), Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972), and Ruby (1977), as well as the TV horror “classic” Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978). Oh, boy, this should be interesting. Jeff, Bill, Chad, and Doc share their thoughts on this genuinely strange little film.
At the time of this writing, The Killing Kind is available to stream from Tubi. The film is also available as a Blu-ray disc from Vinegar Syndrome.
Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Jeff, will be Shriek of the Mutilated (1974), The Black Saint’s 1974 pick for Top 10 Horror Films of the 1970′s, Part 1. According to The Black Saint, “Everything about Shriek of the Mutilated screams what-the-f***.” He also called it “worse than bad,” so you have been warned. This one should be . . . interesting.
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.
Jeff has written for Horrornews.net and SQ Horror Magazine. He currently writes for Gruesome Magazine and is a co-host of the Decades of Horror podcasts - The Classic Era, 1970s, and 1980s - and the Gruesome Magazine Podcast.
