Episode 56: Les Diaboliques (1955) & The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh (1971)

Welcome to episode 56 of *The Horror Double Bill*, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are in Europe, where we return to the psychological thriller and the Italian giallo, with two films drenched in murder and paranoia. First up, we have *Les Diaboliques* from 1955, directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot. This stars Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse and Charles Vanel. Then we follow this with *The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh* from 1971 and director Sergio Martino. This stars Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Ivan Rassimov and Cristina Airoldi. Along the way, we will be discussing the early careers of directors Henri George Clouzot and Sergio Martino, the incredibly tense production of Les Diaboliques, Mondo movies, a real-world Italian murder case that inspired several giallo, actress Edwige Fenech, and much much more ***Recommendations*** *Le Corbeau* (1943) *The Wages of Fear* (1953) *Sorcerer* (1977) ***References*** *Les Diaboliques* by Susan Hayward - Ciné-Files French Film Guides series https://www.cinematheque.fr/article/1112.html *Italian Giallo in Film and Television: A Critical History* by Roberto Curti *Darkening the Italian Screen: Volume One* by Eugenio Ercolani *So Deadly, So Perverse: Volume One* by Troy Howarth *International Horror Film Directors*, edited by Danny Shipka and Ralph Beliveau *All the Colours of Sergio Martino* by Kat Ellinger *The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh* blu ray (Severin Films) – interviews and extras https://www.nanarland.com/interviews/entretiens/fr/sergio-martino.html https://www.flashbackfiles.com/ernesto-gastaldi-interview https://dailygrindhouse.com/thewire/the-daily-grindhouse-chats-to-ernesto-gastaldi/ https://westernsallitaliana.blogspot.com/2019/08/interview-with-ernesto-gastldi.html?m=1 https://pochestorie.corriere.it/2017/09/11/treni-aerei-un-killer-e-una-vittima-il-delitto-fenaroli/ Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr\_illustration.com)