Movies / Dementia (1955)

7/10

Runtime: 56 min

Genres: Horror Mystery

Languages: English

Countries: USA


John J. Parker's wonderfully unsettling first film has been unavailable in its original form since its release. Until the release of this video, it had been seen only in a heavily edited version titled DAUGHTER OF HORROR, which is also included in this release, with narration by Ed McMahon. The original version of the film is completely silent, excepting the eerie George Antheil score, and follows a dreamlike twisted logic as it details the existence of a tormented young woman, Gamin, who is clearly insane. Waking from a night in a cheap hotel, Gamin goes on a hellish journey through skid row, where she experiences many nightmarish encounters with pimps, winos, molesters, and other unsavory characters. Increasingly haunted by remembrances of her tormented childhood, Gamin moves deeper into her dementia as the night wears on, transforming into a knife wielding bohemian who despises men.


Directors (1) Credit
John Parker ...
Writers (1) Credit
John Parker (original screenplay)
Composers (1) Credit
George Antheil ...
Editors (1) Credit
Joseph Gluck ...
Cinematographers (1) Credit
William C. Thompson ...
Actors (14) Credit
Adrienne Barrett The Gamine
Angelo Rossitto Newsboy (uncredited)
Ben Roseman Gamine's Father / Plainclothes Cop
Bruno VeSota Rich Man
Ed Hinkle Butler
Ed McMahon Narrator (voice)
Faith Parker Nightclub Dancer
Gayne Sullivan Wino
Jebbie VeSota Flower Girl
Jonathan Haze Character (uncredited)
Lucille Rowland Gamine's Mother
Richard Barron Evil One
Shelley Berman Stoned Beatnik (uncredited)
Shorty Rogers Jazz Musician