I’ve answered this question before on another forum but I thought I’d repeat it here as it’s always good to get another Giallo fan on board here’s my selection of must sees:
“Blood and Black Lace” Mario Bava – Bava , responsibble for what is known as the first film Giallo “The Girl who knew too much” (something to follow up with after your first marathon) set the genre blazing with this richly coloured (Hammer inspired) eerie thriller, red telephones and redder lipstick deliver breathy secrets…w ho is that raincoated leather gloved killer?
‘The Bird with the Crystal Plumage’ – Dario Argento, it is credited with being either the 3nrd Giallo film, taking the Bava killer’s uniform and running with it, giving it a kinkier edge. Certainly it set the tone for Gialli to come, it’s got the obligatory jarring Ennio Morricone score, convoluted plot, (yes and some not very nice murder scenes – these are somewhat obligatory I’m afraid) Argento nastiness and general stylishness all round.
‘The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh’ – Sergio Martino, who I think brings the right amount of irony to Giallo (this is helped by one of the best screenwriters of the genre Ernesto Gastaldi) and will introduce to the most adored Giallo heroine Edwige Fenech, sultry Giallo hero George Hilton (and the saturnine features of Ivan Rassimov – phwoar!)
‘Lizard in a Woman’s Skin’ – Lucio Fulci, febrile dream sequences and a very twisty plot featuring murder, hippies and Alexandra Palace (I have a soft spot because I once lived right just down the road from it) and more Morricone. Oh and Florinda Balkan and Jean Sorel look gorgeous and you can admire Ms Bolkan’s array of hats. Don’t miss the DOGS!!! (you won’t). If you watch the US widescreen version you will get blurred out breasts and slightly less gore I’m afraid.
“Perversion Story” – Lucio Fulci. Lucio’s nod to Hitchcock’s Vertigo may be a red herring in itself! I say no more. Achingly stylish, hugely charismatic cast, loads of beautiful 70’s clothes… and a very satisfying denouement!
“All the Colours of the Dark” aka “They’re Coming to get You”. Another Sergio Martino flick. This mixes in a bit of devil worship and kooky dream sequences, and has the triumvirate of Edwige, George and Ivan.
“The case of the Bloody Iris” Giuliano Carnimeo – Giallo Lite? This one is a bit of a romp, with some similar themes to the above but without the edginess of all of the above. very enjoyable still and if people think Brian de Palma went all the way back to Hitchock for the first killing in “Dressed to Kill” then see this film.
“The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail” Sergio Martino – twisty and twistier, gorgeous leather pants, who’s the heroine and a panting Anita Strindberg partners with George Hilton.
“The Fifth Cord” Luigi Bazzoni – A more measured approach with a moody cop hero searching for clues amongst some awesome architectural shots (and hairdos) with quite a chilling kid meets the nasty man scene.
“Five Dolls for an August Moon” Mario Bava – apparently the maestro was dissatisfied with this film, but I consider it enormous fun and who cares about the plot, satin shirts, tight pants and yes I spot a medallion (I think), feline Fenech does rich bitch and the house is to die for (hahaha), it also has touches of “10th Victim”
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