Tuesday, 29 December 2009

The Comeback (1978)

One of Pete Walker’s last films (only Home Before midnight and House of Long Shadows were to follow) The Comeback follows the tale of a singer (Jack Jones) attempting to record his comebcak album after a period of retirement when he got married. Newly divorced, he rents a large house and sets to work. Someone, however, doesn’t seem to want him to make his comebcak, or is he going insane?
While easily not up to the standard of his best work (which includes Frightmare and The House of Mortal Sin) there is much to be enjoyed in what is basicaly a fairly ludicrous story. The ludicrousness is highlighted to the nth degree by an absolutely farcical twist ending that is, however, delivered in such a convincing way that you are prepared to forgive.
What is notably absent from the film is Walker’s usual demaniacally twisted authority figure that give his earlier films that bit of metaphorical bite and the film is more of a straightforward flick than his usual offerings as a result. If it sounds like I’m giving a bad impression, then I don’t mean to; as I said earlier there is much to enjoy in the film, not least yet another performance of gold from Walker regular, Sheila Keith. No actress has ever chewed the scenery quite like Ms Keith and she remains one of the most under-rated horror icons in Britain in my humble opinion. Another stand out moment is the first murder, which may be the most effective Walker-flmed shock moments ever. Had the rest of the film been as top notch as this then we would be discussing an all-time classic here. It’s not, but it’s still a fun flick and a definite for any Walker fan.

No comments:

Post a Comment