A Bucket of Blood (1959)

Director:

Roger Corman

Writer:

Charles B. Griffith (writer)

Release Date:

21 October 1959 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

A Comedy of Errors! A Comedy of Terrors!

Plot:

Walter Paisley, nerdy busboy at a Bohemian café, is jealous of the talent (and popularity) of its various artistic regulars...

Plot Keywords:

Saw | Waiter | Saxophone | Jealousy | Musician

Cast

Dick Miller	...	Walter Paisley
Barboura Morris	...	Carla
Antony Carbone	...	Leonard de Santis
Julian Burton	...	Maxwell H. Brock
Ed Nelson	...	Art Lacroix
John Brinkley	...	Will
John Herman Shaner	...	Oscar (as John Shaner)
Judy Bamber	...	Alice
Myrtle Vail	...	Mrs. Surchart (as Myrtle Damerel)
Bert Convy	...	Lou Raby (as Burt Convy)
Jhean Burton	...	Naolia
Bruno VeSota	...	Art Collector (as Bruno Ve Soto)
Lynn Storey	...	Sylvia (as Lynne Storey)

Runtime:

66 min | Argentina:75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | USA:Unrated | Australia:M | UK:15 (video rating) (1996) (uncut) | UK:X (original rating) (cut)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Alta Vista Productions

Trivia:

The line about how "artist" Walter Paisley "knows his anatomy" is apparently a nod to the similar themed House of Wax (1953) which used the same line about Vincent Price's character. Of course, a year later, Vincent Price became Roger Corman's favourite star.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the club owner knocks over the cat statue he notices the fur sticking out on the side. When he picks up the cat again the fur is gone.

Quotes:

Maxwell H. Brock: Life is an obscure hobo, bumming a ride on the omnibus of art.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Gorgon Video Magazine, Vol. 1 (1989) (V)

The ultimate art-house spoof

If anyone is fed up with the pretentious nitwits that dictate what is good art, chances are you'll enjoy this classic campy tale. The protagonist is a weakling who works as a waiter at a beatnik coffee shop and hangs around psuedo artist snobs, sucking up their every last syllable as if it is a mocha frapuccino. He wants very much to carve a niche for himself in this group of losers and manages to do so when he makes a sculpture out of his landlady's dead cat! True to herd mentality, everyone is soon basking in this guy's coolness, singing his praises, and generally kissing his talentless behind. Only problem is, he keeps making sculptures from bodies! By the time these Bohemians catch on to the fact that this guy may not be so hip after all, the death toll has risen and laughter is abound. Also make sure to look out for the fat bearded character Maxwell, this guy is a total riot. The sad thing is every time I go to an open mike I meet some "poet" who is just like him. Great sardonic humor from the master of the macabre Roger Corman. 8/10