Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia presents (courtesy of oldies.com/DVD) the first film version of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend: The Last Man on Earth, starring the priceless Vincent Price.
This 1964, low-budget submission was directed by Ubaldo Ragona (and for certain segments, Sidney Salkow) in Italy from a script by Matheson (under the name, Logan Swanson), which was revised by several writers throughout the progressing production. The results generate an unmistakable, pre-Night of the Living Dead vibe, but then that's no surprise, since the novel influenced George Romero/John Russo's flesh-feasting classic.
Last Man's locale also gives the outing an uncanny-valley feel, in that Italy stands in lieu of the U.S., but it all works to the story's surreal, black-and-white benefit. To boot, Price's nuanced performance as the anguished Robert Morgan enhances the nightmarish atmosphere. (There's nothing that pulls quite at the heartstrings than an erudite, family man who's forced to become a woeful vampire slayer.)
To balance the unfolding tragedy, Mr. Lobo visits with the smitten Miss Mittens, as well as a brigade of lust-ridden ladies led by Sara Dunn's Queen of Trash, who intersect the dark venture with Valentine's Day amore, not to mention silly (and on occasion, scary) segments and endearing (if not demented) trailers: a satisfying, juxtaposing blend from beginning to end.
Add this essential Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia installment to your collection at
https://www.oldies.com/product-view/1170D.html
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