Cheap A Bucket of Blood (Video) (Roger Corman) Price

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Customer Reviews of A Bucket of Blood

Razor-sharp DVD of Corman's sick humor classic
Although its 'companion' film, Little Shop of Horrors, gets lots more attention, this terrific "sick humor" gem has always been my favorite of the two. For me, it's funnier, scarier, and more plausible, and benefits tremendously from the beatnik/doper/coffeehouse milieu in which it's set. Dick Miller, in his mightiest role, perfectly personifies everynebbish busboy Walter Paisley, who finds a disturbing way to gain some cred with his hipster peers. Julian Burton as a grandiose beatnik, Antony Carbone (handling some great deadpan comedy as he begins to suspect the truth behind Walter's creations), and John Brinkley and John Shaner, as a couple of 'comedy-relief' junkies, stand out in a generally fine cast. I remember seeing this for the first time when I was about 12 on some late night horror show, and the bleak, icky feeling generated by the 'cat in the wall' scene was my first inkling that there was something uniquely twisted about American International pictures (vs. the old Universal classics I had cut my teeth on). Check out the set decoration in Walter's apartment: Yecch! There's also something strangely pleasing about Walter splitting Bert Convy's head open with a cast iron griddle. One of Corman's least farcical, most 'straight' (and satisfying) films. Highly recommended to fans of "beat noir," "sick" humor, cheap horror, Lenny Bruce, etc., etc.
MGM Home Video's DVD presentation is bare bones (the trailer promised on the box is nowhere in sight) but the source print used is simply spectacular. The shadow/highlight detail, brightness, contrast, sharpness, and tonal values are uniformly excellent, and there is only some extremely light, sporadic speckling/spotting. Comparing it to the VHS copy I had made me want to cry. Too bad they didn't line up Dick Miller for a commentary, that would've been a five-star disc, rather than the really-excellent-but-not-quite-ultimate edition we get here. And, unfortunately, MGM's making us pay a premium price for this title because of its cult status rather than the blowout list of their Midnite Movies series; but don't let a few bucks stop you from adding this demented classic to your library.

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A masterpiece of dark comedy!
This 1958 film was one of director Roger Corman's famous "quickies" that he produced and directed in a matter of days. It is far superior to his the more well-known "Little Shop of Horrors." This witty and darkly humorous tragi-comedy tells the tale of nebbish Walter Paisley and his desire to be loved and admired by the coffeehouse patrons he busses. A witty and sardonic look at the late 50's beatnik era, it views like an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents as directed by the Brothers Coen! Daydreaming, sexually frustrated Walter isn't about to let a lack of talent stand in his way of becoming a renowned artist and a series of horrible accidents points the way to success... Also notable for introducing veteran character actor Dick Miller in his first lead role. Highly recommended for fans of offbeat films! END

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Murder As Art...
Poor Walter Paisley (Dick Mlller). No one notices him in his dead-end job as busboy at The Yellow Door coffeehouse. Day after day he watches and listens as beat poets and musicians get all the attention and accolades. Then, one day, Walter accidentally kills his landlady's cat, covers it in clay, and -presto!- a new artistic master is born! Soon, the beatniks are at Walter's feet, begging for further expressions of his genius. Walter knocks a cop (Bert Convy) in the noggin with a skillet, turns him into a statue, and has another masterwork to show off! Unfortunately, this begins taking a toll on Walter's mind, turning him into just another pseudo-intellectual, elitist snob like the ones he'd once envied. Of course, Walter is also a serial killer, using his victims as the guts of his "art". BUCKET OF BLOOD is a hysterical look at the beat generation. It lampoons just about every type of beatnik pomposity. Roger Corman's sense of humor shines through every scene! This would be a perfect double bill with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS or THE BLOODY BROOD. Highly recommended...