I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

The set up was good and the opening double murder with the hammer, did really set things in motion and made me think that I was gonna be in for something exciting, but sadly I wasn't. For starters I was actually bored most of the way through and while there were some decent performances (mainly the villains), it just failed to ignite a spark, for starters it seems to drag in places to get to the good stuff, and when it do finally happens, it's just not enough bloodshed and when it gets to the end, everything just seems rushed and unsatisfying.When the main character gets sent to the children's home, it does glimmer interest from time to time, especially when the owner is totally wacko who she and her right hand man murders any children who try to escape. Also the mysterious melted man who stalks the young girl was quite an interesting aspect, but the outcome was rather poorly done. The performances of the cast are rather a mixed bag, namely the lead Melody Paterson just seemed uneven and bored, especially in the scenes where she was supposed to be scared and terrified, she just came across unconvincing. But Gloria Grahme totally steals the show, with her wonderfully unhinged performance and chews the scenes perfectly as well as Len Lesser whose equally sadistic and totally over the top fun.All in all, well after hearing good things about this, I was sadly disappointed, it just didn't do it for me, despite some interesting trappings, on the whole it was just a mess and unconinving.

Blood and Lace (1971)Even for a horror movie depending on camp to survive this one is bad. I really wanted to see what Gloria Grahame was up to late in her career, and I suppose in a way she's one of the best part of the movie, but even she was a disappointment--in her case not campy enough. Give Bette Davis a bow for knowing how to let it rip. The plot circles around a barely sketched out orphanage where funny stuff with dead bodies is going on in the meat cooler.Are we surprised that this is the director's only movie? No, we're more surprised that Grahame got roped into it. She's only 48 here, and yet she seems to have become prematurely stiff and timid. This is well past her prime as an actress (it didn't help that she had botched plastic surgery in the 1950s that left her upper lip paralyzed), but she did later act in in another ten movies, and in lots of television, and if none of it is terrific, this is downright awful. Let's just call it a fluke, a forgettable movie with a thin plot and bad filming and mediocre acting. I wouldn't waste any time with it. Said and done.

I am a huge fan of this movie. I loved it as a kid when I first watched it with my older sister and I just wanted to let other fans who want to buy this movie know that I was able to find this at www.j4HI.com which specializes in rare, obscure movies. High quality DVD and great price. I haven't seen this movie in over 20 years and it is even better than I remember, sick story, low budget and all. This movie has everything I love in a B budget horror flick, including twisted content, interesting actors (who doesn't love Mel from Alice and Uncle Leo?), surprise ending and nostalgia. Love it!! Buy this DVD and you will not be disappointed. I am passing this one to all my friends because such a great movie needs to stay around.

Rated GP, that's right. What we now call PG. But you knew that.A sick little PG as well.Boarding house for wayward girls and of course the Madam has a dirty little secret or three.Gloria Grahame was the best actor here. When I found out later she was a previous Oscar winner (for The Bad And The Beautiful) I wasn't surprised. She played the role Joan Collins tried to play for years.Vic Tayback (Mel from 'Alice') showed he's got some dramatic range. He played the one likable male.I can't mention the twists at the end. See it for yourself. It's slow going in places, but worth it.