More silly eighties horror. MAUSOLEUM (1983), a gory demonic possession potboiler, is plenty stupid, but makes for a reasonably entertaining time-passer (provided one is in a forgiving mood).
MAUSOLEUM (1983) Trailer
The film is notable primarily as an early credit for ace make-up/special effects artist John Carl Buechler. It’s also gained attention due to the presence of ex-child evangelist Marjoe Gortner in the cast, but the true star is the second-billed Bobbie Bresee. An ex-Playboy playmate, Bresee plays a woman possessed by a homicidal demon, and actually does a reasonably good job. She went on to a brief career as a scream queen in GHOULIES (1984), SURF NAZIS MUST DIE (1987) and EVIL SPAWN (1987), but now appears to have permanently retired from acting (with her last film credit in 1995).
Susan is a hot blond who periodically becomes a bloodthirsty demon because of a family curse. After visiting her family mausoleum Susan develops disquieting powers, as demonstrated later that night, when she causes the car of an unwanted suitor to catch fire. The next day she seduces her strapping Hispanic gardener (Maurice Sherbanee) before turning into a hideous monster and slicing him up.
Susan continues her spree by causing her Aunt Cora (Laura Hippe) to levitate and violently expel her innards. A delivery boy (Chu Chu Malave) comes next: Susan seduces him much like she did the gardener, and dispatches him in a similar manner. Susan’s shrink (Norman Burton) also gets a taste of her monstrous nature when she growls at him during a session.
The shrink decides she’s possessed, and turns to Dr. Roni Logan (Sheri Mann), a paranormal expert, to corroborate his thesis. Logan does so, and the shrink ponders how best to free Susan from her curse. He’ll have to be quick, as she’s set her sights on her husband (Gortner), who’s about to suffer a fate similar to those of Susan’s other victims.
This film is every bit as trashy and low budget as you might expect, with a highly derivative, easy-to-predict narrative, but director Michael Dugan has a way of sneaking in striking elements. He demonstrates a particular preference for extreme close-ups of water and dripping blood, and there’s a wicked shot of the heroine, in full monster mode, viewed in shadowy silhouette (a shot that makes very little dramatic sense, but it’s a striking sight).
Credit must go to Bobbie Bresee, who performs many outrageous sex and nudity packed scenes with gusto. She’s helped by the surprisingly elaborate make up effects of John Carl Buechler, with their combined efforts resulting in a semi-diverting 96 minutes.
Vital Statistics
MAUSOLEUM
Western International Pictures Inc.
Director: Michael Dugan
Producer: Robert Madero, Robert Barich
Screenplay: Robert Madero, Robert Barich
Cinematography: Robert Barich
Editing: Richard C. Bock
Cast: Marjoe Gortner, Bobbie Bresee, Norman Burton, La Wanda page, Maurice Sherbanee, Laura Hippe, Sheri Mann, Julie Christy Murray, Chu Chu Malave, Ron Cannon, Joel Kramer, Gene Edwards, Di Ann Monaco