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(1949) Keiju Kobayashi, Teruko Akatsuki, Katsuko Wakasugi, Den Obinata. A forgotten horror/sci-fi classic! Considered by some historians as the first Japanese sci-fi film, though the sci-fi elements are, admittedly, somewhat slight. A young woman becomes the prime suspect in a murder mystery. Her gal pal and boyfriend set out to prove her innocence. They soon end up in a forlorn, out of the way house filled with mystery and dread. The house is home to a strange family that includes a wacked out artist, a spectral researcher, and a cat lady. Before long folks start kicking the bucket, screaming the word “rainbow” over and over while dying. The mystery then takes an unexpected turn into seemingly supernatural corners—but not all is as it seems. Lots of thunder and lightning and atmospheric moments; there’s even a weird scientist with strange laboratory gizmos. A great sinister music score highlights the horrific goings-on. There are some really cool scenes. Wow… Some sources erroneously list this as a Samurai film, but it’s set in present day (1949) Japan. Subtitled in English. 16mm.
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