Even for a drive-in flick from the 1970s, "Lisa, Lisa" is a dirt cheap production. It was shot over the course of eight days, with most crew members working for just ten dollars a day. They filmed the movie on short ends, which basically meant everything had to be done in one take. That seems like a hellish task for a (mostly) amateur cast and crew, so it's a miracle the movie even got released in the first place.
Thankfully, all these technical limitations somehow work to the benefit of the movie. It has this weird other-worldly atmosphere, almost like you're watching a fever dream. I feel the same way about "Criminally Insane", which is one of my all-time favorites. "Lisa, Lisa" does not overstay it's welcome either and clocks it at a paltry 64 minutes, which makes me think we're dealing with an unfinished movie here. I mean, I know drive-in movies aren't known for their intricate plots, but this story has no meat to it at all. Writer/Director Frederick R. Friedel filmed the most rudimentary elements of a movie and called it a day. I love it. In a grindhouse flick, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Leslie Lee carries the movie with a strangely unsettling performance. She has about five lines total, but this adds a certain mystique to the character as well as the actress. This was her only role and it was rumored she had committed suicide shortly after the movie's release. This turned out to be false, but she still turned down an invitation to be interviewed for the DVD. I'm actually kind of glad she did. Apparently she now lives in Mexico with her husband and operates a diving boat. That's all I need to know, really.
"Lisa, Lisa" was on the Video Nasties list for years, but as per usual, I don't think anyone on that board even saw the movie. They probably just noticed the alternate titles, which are "Axe" and "California Axe Massacre". Especially the last one is pretty baffling, given that the movie is set in North Carolina. Anyway, there's hardly any on-screen violence in this movie, unless you can feel bad for a bottle of Heinz ketchup. The blood and gore is mostly implied. The bare-bones cinematography certainly gives this movie a sense of dread, but it's not exactly "Cannibal Holocaust". Then again, I'm sure the free advertising helped them out a lot.
"Lisa, Lisa" is an interesting curiosity. Obviously it's not a great movie, but I'm glad it's still around.
Thankfully, all these technical limitations somehow work to the benefit of the movie. It has this weird other-worldly atmosphere, almost like you're watching a fever dream. I feel the same way about "Criminally Insane", which is one of my all-time favorites. "Lisa, Lisa" does not overstay it's welcome either and clocks it at a paltry 64 minutes, which makes me think we're dealing with an unfinished movie here. I mean, I know drive-in movies aren't known for their intricate plots, but this story has no meat to it at all. Writer/Director Frederick R. Friedel filmed the most rudimentary elements of a movie and called it a day. I love it. In a grindhouse flick, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Leslie Lee carries the movie with a strangely unsettling performance. She has about five lines total, but this adds a certain mystique to the character as well as the actress. This was her only role and it was rumored she had committed suicide shortly after the movie's release. This turned out to be false, but she still turned down an invitation to be interviewed for the DVD. I'm actually kind of glad she did. Apparently she now lives in Mexico with her husband and operates a diving boat. That's all I need to know, really.
"Lisa, Lisa" was on the Video Nasties list for years, but as per usual, I don't think anyone on that board even saw the movie. They probably just noticed the alternate titles, which are "Axe" and "California Axe Massacre". Especially the last one is pretty baffling, given that the movie is set in North Carolina. Anyway, there's hardly any on-screen violence in this movie, unless you can feel bad for a bottle of Heinz ketchup. The blood and gore is mostly implied. The bare-bones cinematography certainly gives this movie a sense of dread, but it's not exactly "Cannibal Holocaust". Then again, I'm sure the free advertising helped them out a lot.
"Lisa, Lisa" is an interesting curiosity. Obviously it's not a great movie, but I'm glad it's still around.