117. Blood and Black Lace

Okay, seriously—what is going on with *The Rotten Horror Picture Show* lately? First, Clay and Amanda talk about *House of Wax*. Then they dive into *Tourist Trap*, which is basically *House of Wax* but somehow weirder. THEN they spend their Patreon episode talking about the remake of House of Wax, which is also kind of a remake of Tourist Trap. And now? Now, when they SHOULD be discussing The Others, they’re going off script to discuss Blood and Black Lace, Mario Bava’s Giallo classic… and wouldn’t you know it, this one’s packed with mannequins too! Why? Why do we keep doing this?!  Look, I get it—mannequins, wax figures, lifeless-yet-human-shaped things add to the eerie atmosphere. And *Blood and Black Lace* is a stylish, brutal murder mystery full of shadowy figures, high-fashion horror, and, yes, mannequins posed in unsettling ways. It’s one of the defining films of the Giallo genre, setting the stage for all the masked killers and elaborate murder sequences that would come after. Clay and Amanda are about to break it all down—the stunning cinematography, the iconic score, and how Bava turned a glamorous fashion house into a place of pure terror.  But I have to ask… why do horror movies love mannequins so much? They’re not alive, but they *almost* look like they could be. Their empty eyes follow you. They stand there, silent, waiting. And somehow, *somehow*, this podcast keeps circling back to them like it’s some kind of cruel joke.  So, if you’re brave enough to stare into the cold, plastic void, join Clay and Amanda for their deep dive into *Blood and Black Lace*. As for me, I’ll be listening with my back against the wall, just to make sure nothing *moves* behind me. And, for the love of all that is holy, can we please pick a movie next time that doesn’t involve mannequins?!