I’d always been curious about Trog (1970), infamous as Joan Crawford’s last film before she died; rather than a loving tribute at the end of a long career, Trog’s usually an example of the opposite side of the coin, denoting a fall from grace or an unfortunate note to go out on. Yet, even though the material is beneath Crawford, you can’t fault her performance, giving it classic Hollywood professionalism as the scientist who finds an ancient Troglodyte – half man, half primate – the missing link in human evolution that has been preserved in a hidden cave. Yet any suspense or tension is immediately blown in the reveal of Trog, a poor actor with a fake monkey mask stuck on his head, apparently a cast off from the monkey costumes used in 2001. Many scenes were completely ludicrous (Trog being soothed by a classical music record but getting angered at the sound of a rock song, for example) and it can’t help but be viewed as a camp trash classic. Michael Gough is also in the mix as a businessman obsessed with destroying Trog as he says it’ll be bad for the community’s businesses (what a bitch!). Directed by Freddie Francis, and clocking in at a 90 minute length that drags. The highlight was the section where Trog gets free and goes on a rampage through a small town, upending cars and sticking butchers onto meat hooks. Otherwise, you just feel bad for Joan. That and poor, misunderstood Trog. Streamed on Criterion Channel as part of the 70s Horror section.
VHS Tracking 