A BUCKET OF BLOOD (1959)

As Hollywood’s most benevolent B-pic producer, dozens of famous & forgotten directors in his debt for their start, Roger Corman tends to get something of a critical pass on his own directing efforts.  Sure, he was always up against low-budgets (casts, scripts & sets often dire), but what does it cost to put the camera in the right spot & control pace?  Happily, this modest riff on the old 2-strip TechniColor MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM/’33) is good dirty fun; small enough to work within his limited abilities.  Dick Miller, raised from supporting heel to lead, is a ‘mad’ busboy (with artistic leanings) at a Beatnik Coffeehouse.  He’s this film’s Lionel Atwill, the ‘Mad’ Sculptor turning dead bodies into accurate statuary.  Waxed figures in the first film; here, covered in clay by Miller.  (Actually, his dead animals & people look more like they’re been coated in fondant icing.  A much funnier idea than anything Corman comes up with.)  Not a scare in its 1'7", but harmless.  With one really good comedy bit from future Limeliters folksinger Alex Hassilev.  He’s the real deal and what a difference it makes!  (Too bad they didn't have the club crowd snap their fingers rather than applaud after each poem or song.)  Elsewise, generally stick with Producer rather than Director Corman.

DOUBLE-BILL/LINK:  As mentioned, THE MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM/'33.  OR:  For 3D fanciers, the inferior remake HOUSE OF WAX/’‘53.  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2021/09/mystery-of-wax-museum-1933.html