John Phillip Law -- Gone!

On my facebook page I have a list of my favorite movies. I completely understand that some of the movies that I enjoy are not films that a film student would call "great films". I like them for many reasons beyond sheer technical brilliance, incisive dialog or inscrutable plots.

One such movie is Danger:Diabolik, directed by Mario Bava and starring John Philip Law. Mario Bava made his name directing a series of lurid (and at times excellent) italian horror movies. Danger:Diabolik was a change-up for him, a comic book based master criminal -- kind of an anti-hero Batman.

I love the movie for many reasons. It is flawed to be sure, and the hyperzoom camera work that Mario Bava uses really dates itself now. But I also believe it is one of the most successful translations of a comic book to the big screen that we have ever seen. It is wonderfully over the top. Scene design (Diabolik's lair) is fantastic -- it looks much more expensive than it's tiny budget (Mario Bava was famous for coming in under budget with his movies). The story meets that important criteria of being just on the edge of plausibility (unlike the new Indy Jones movie, which blows it in a few places). Ennio Morricone's soundtrack is sixtie-licious and varied (the theme music is wonderfully memorable).

But the thing I like the best is John Phillip Law's underacting, his stoic expressions with hyperactive eye movements -- shifty, always looking, clever. I am sure some will call it "wooden" but I think it is inscrutable. It doesn't hurt that he was a remarkably good looking guy as well.

He made a bunch of other films (some good, such as Barbarella) but this is the film that I appreciate him most for. I am so sorry to see him go.