Two on a Guillotine (1965) in the PNW

Details: Written by: Mortado; Category: The 1960s in Northwest Cinemas

This is a collection of media from the initial runs of "Two on a Guillotine" (1965) in the Pacific Northwest. Portland got "The Black Zoo" (1963) for a second feature while Seattle got the classic "CO-HIT!"

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Two on a Guillotine (1965)
“Two on a Guillotine” is a 1965 American horror film that weaves a tale of mystery, inheritance, and the supernatural. The story centers around Cassie Duquesne, the daughter of the renowned and eccentric magician Duke Duquesne. After her father’s death, Cassie returns to Los Angeles to attend his funeral and discovers that she is the sole beneficiary of his estate. However, there’s a catch: Cassie must spend seven nights in her father’s isolated and eerie mansion to claim her inheritance.

As Cassie embarks on this chilling vigil, she encounters a series of bizarre and unexplainable events that seem connected to her father’s legacy as a master illusionist. With the help of Val Henderson, a man she meets under curious circumstances, Cassie attempts to unravel the mysteries of the mansion and the true nature of her father’s past.

The film takes the audience on a suspenseful journey through the dark corridors of the Duquesne mansion, where reality blurs with illusion, and nothing is as it seems. “Two on a Guillotine” is a classic blend of horror and suspense, inviting viewers to question the line between the living and the spectral, and the possibility of life beyond the grave.

Director: William Conrad
Writers: Henry Slesar, John Kneubuhl
Stars: Connie Stevens, Dean Jones, Cesar Romero
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Buy "Two on a Guillotine" (1965) DVD on Amazon (SPONSORED)

The Black Zoo (1963)
“The Black Zoo” is a 1963 horror film that delves into the dark and twisted world of Michael Conrad, a private zookeeper with a peculiar devotion to his animals. Conrad’s Animal Kingdom is not your typical zoo; it is a place where the line between caretaker and cult leader blurs, as Conrad leads a group that worships the animals, particularly the big cats and a gorilla.

The film unfolds as Conrad’s obsession turns sinister, using his beloved creatures as instruments of vengeance against those he perceives as enemies. The zoo becomes a stage for a macabre dance of death, orchestrated by Conrad’s command over his animal kingdom.

With a cast led by Michael Gough, “The Black Zoo” offers a chilling portrayal of a man whose love for animals crosses into the realm of the grotesque. It’s a story that explores themes of power, control, and the primal instincts within man and beast. The film invites viewers to witness the horror that ensues when the natural order is subverted by a mind unhinged by fanaticism and fury.

Director: Robert Gordon
Writers: Herman Cohen, Aben Kandel
Stars: Michael Gough, Jeanne Cooper, Rod Lauren
Buy "The Black Zoo" (1963) DVD on Amazon (SPONSORED)

February 3, 1965 ad (Portland)