moonspinner55
Susan Strasberg plays a 28-year-old (!) with a big problem: she has a tumor on the back of her neck that has tripled in size in three days; even worse, she feels something moving around in it, as if it were a fetus (she's very relaxed about the whole thing...of course, the specialists at the hospital won't dare tell her they've never seen anything like it). Turns out the spirit of a 400-year-old Indian medicine man is using Strasberg as his conduit for a splashy reemergence--to seek vengeance for the slaughter of his people at the hands of the white man--leading phony psychic boyfriend Tony Curtis to enlist the aid of Native American shaman Michael Ansara to "fight fire with fire." Director William Girdler also co-wrote the script with Jon Cedar and Thomas Pope, an adaptation of Graham Masterton's novel (the type of book nobody would dare admit to reading); he approaches the ridiculous material with commendable seriousness--at least until the finale, which is pure camp. Good supporting performances from Stella Stevens as a medium and Burgess Meredith as a specialist in such matters, but Curtis and Ansara have to work hard to hide their embarrassment. *1/2 from ****
tles7-676-109633
I saw this for the first time in 2015 on TCM of all places, but I remember when it came out. What makes this so laughable are the effects which look like an old SCTV skit. The movie loses me totally with the guy in the alligator suit. This feels more like a TV movie than a theatrical movie. It's a 1970s "B" movie but with a considerable cast of Tony Curtis, Michael Ansara and Susan Strasberg of all people. It's probably typical for its time. I also would like to make a suggestion to Amazon that they change the minimum of a review from 10 lines to 5 lines. The reviews can still be good without having to make so many points about the movie.
wes-connors
San Francisco psychic Tony Curtis (as Harry Erskine) receives startling news from his girlfriend Susan Strasberg (as Karen Tandy). She has a strange, fast-growing lump on her back. Comparing the bump to a fetus, doctor, writer and associate producer Jon Cedar (as Jack Hughes) is unable to operate. We suspect, from the opening credits, it's "The Manitou" (something to do with ancient Native Americans). Ms. Strasberg says strange things in her sleep and Mr. Curtis' wealthy tarot card clients start to freak out. Curtis goes to beautifully tanned Stella Stevens (as Amelia "Amy" Crusoe) for help. She taught him how to use his psychic powers and read the tarot cards (although he seems to be a phony, for the most part). The cast gets good help from hospitable anthropologist Burgess Meredith (as Ernest Snow). He leads them to modern-day "Indian" medicine man Michael Ansara (as John Singing Rock)...This is presented like a Native American Indian version of "The Exorcist" (1973), with some interesting differences. In a few ways, it's better. Producer-director William Girdler and his crew do a fine job coordinating the effects and characters, and the threat seems like it's going to be more realistic. However, the story is weak in that the "villain" results from some confusing hocus-pocus that really doesn't add up. It certainly must have made more sense in the original novel, by Graham Masterson. Here, the evil forces are impressive, but not frightening. And, the ending just looks like everyone decided to do "Star Wars" instead of "The Exorcist". With eyelash enhancement and extra-tight clothing, Curtis often appears befuddled. That's understandable. "The Manitou" was the last film from Mr. Girdler, who died in a helicopter crash at age 30, sadly. He undoubtedly had not reached his peak in filmmaking.***** The Manitou (4/15/78) William Girdler ~ Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Michael Ansara, Burgess Meredith
tx898
I saw this movie thirty years ago and recently it was on again and it's just a bad as I remember. Not only is the premise ridiculous so is the script, direction, and acting. What were Tony and Susan thinking? If you like really bad flicks watch this one he-he! A woman has an Indian spirit thing growing in her back and when it comes out of here in the hospital the lack of shock or horror on the faces of the people watching is truly just bad acting and bad direction. A guard is sitting against and open door trying to sleep while this blood covered Indian midget thing is feet away from him and he casually looks at it and yawns and it's just stupid.
AD
