American International Pictures released A Bucket of Blood on 21 October 1959.
I’m not a huge fan of Roger Corman. And I think he was predatory as a businessman. But there is no doubt that he was a good director. And no one was better at making one-room films interesting. Outside of the Poe Cycle, I think A Bucket of Blood was his best film. As I’ve noted before, “It’s funny and gruesome and kind of sweet.”
Dick Miller plays Walter Paisley. He is a waiter at a beatnik club. He’s a simple-minded guy. But he wants the hipcats who surround him to appreciate him. Luckily for him, his accidental killing of a cat and subsequent effort to hide this fact leads to everyone thinking he is a brilliant sculptor.
Unfortunately, when you luck into creating sculpture, there is no clear path forward. But his luck holds. Until it doesn’t. You know Walter ain’t getting out of this film alive!
There isn’t a lot to A Bucket of Blood. But it is irresistible. There is a very dark basis for the film. But the film itself is breezy and fun. And Miller is great in the role — especially if you are familiar with his whole career where he didn’t play characters like this.
The film is a great starter for anyone who thinks they might like psychotronic film. It’s extremely low budget, features only two real locations, and treats death as kind of a joke. Plus, it’s funny! It’s the kind of film you want to watch in your pick-up truck with your sweetheart at the drive-in!
So let’s celebrate the 66th birthday of this classic film by watching it in a way it was never meant to be watched: streaming at home on a computer!
A Buck of Blood poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.
