The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales (1960)

Skin Deep

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales on DVD

Readers of horror fiction know the name Arthur Machen well, especially his 1948 collection "Tales of Horror and the Supernatural." Oddly this black comedy from Mexico is the only one of his stories to be adapted to the screen. Based on "The Islington Mystery," it tells the story of a happy taxidermist (Arturo de Cordova) with a horrible, highly religious wife (Amparo Rivelles). I guess it's fairly obvious from the title what happens, but it's a terrific, twisty story. Director Rogelio A. González uses all kinds odd, cavernous black-and-white camera angles to capture the story's spirit. It's available on DVD from Facets.

Starring: Arturo de Córdova, Amparo Rivelles, Elda Peralta, Guillermo Orea, Rosenda Monteros, Luis Aragón, Mercedes Pascual, Antonio Bravo, Angelines Fernández, Armando Arriola, Paz Villegas, Pepita González, Roberto Meyer, León Barroso
Written by: Luis Alcoriza, based on a story by Arthur Machen
Directed by: Rogelio A. González
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Language: Spanish, with English subtitles
Running Time: 92 minutes
Date: March 30, 2008