There once was a witch named Cassie who was known for her charitable acts. Unlike most witches who were feared and misunderstood, Cassie used her magic powers for the greater good. Cassie was a kind-hearted and compassionate witch who saw the pain and suffering around her and felt compelled to help. She would use her magic to heal the sick, bring comfort to the broken-hearted, and provide assistance to those in need. One of Cassie's most notable acts of charity was her creation of a magical garden. This garden was a place of solace and healing for those who visited.
Tony Franciosa plays a detective who's on the trail of a murderer whose mutilated and predominantly male victims are found encased in silken cocoons.
Wise-ass private detective Mark Higbie is fighting an uphill battle after a drinking buddy of his ends up another victim of a mysterious killer with a penchant for puncturing the chest of her victims and draining them of blood. Tony Franciosa plays a detective who s on the trail of a murderer whose mutilated and predominantly male victims are found encased in silken cocoons.
This garden was a place of solace and healing for those who visited. Cassie used her powers to grow the most beautiful and vibrant flowers, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. People from all walks of life would come to the garden seeking peace and comfort.
It Came From The Tube: CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW (1977)
Look, anyone who knows me is aware of my severe lack of fondness for spiders, as well as my love for movies about them. (I am riddled with inconsistency.) 1977 was a vintage year for arachnids; in addition to one of my all time favorite movies, Kingdom of the Spiders, the small screen offered up the telefilm Curse of the Black Widow, a Dan Curtis effort that never fails to entertain. Just keep the buggers away from me, okay?
Originally broadcast September 16 th as part of The ABC Friday Night Movie, Curse went up against Logan’s Run/Switch! on CBS, and the much tougher competition, NBC’s The Rockford Files/Quincy, M.E. For those not inclined to have Jack Klugman yell in their face for an hour, Curtis’ Curse offered a fun, goofy alternative.
Let’s crack open our cobwebbed faux TV GUIDE and have a look see:
CURSE OF THE BLACK WIDOW (Friday, 9pm, ABC)
A private eye investigates a series of murders in which the victims are mysteriously wrapped in spider webbing. Anthony Franciosa, Patty Duke, Donna Mills star.
We open in a seedy California bar as the regulars, including P.I. Mark Higbie (Franciosa – Tenebrae), encounter a European woman named Valerie who needs a ride home. One of the gents obliges, and meets his demise at the hands (and glowing eyes) of Valerie right in the parking lot. Enter Lt. Gully Conti (Vic Morrow – Humanoids from the Deep) and medical examiner Ragsdale (Max Gail – Barney Miller), none too keen to let Higbie in on the investigation.
But he does his own digging, and finds out that there have been several murders through the years in the same area; men wrapped in a silken cocoon with two huge puncture marks in their chest – and all their blood drained. Oh, and replaced with black widow venom. Into his life comes Leigh (Mills – Knots Landing), who wants Higbie to find out why the cops are questioning her about the bar death. Well, as it turns out Leigh was either married to, or dated, every one of the punctured spider beaus. Our intrepid sleuth presses further, and finds out that Leigh and her twin sister Laura (Duke – The Swarm) were in an airplane crash as babies, and one of them was bitten several times by a horde (cache? Gaggle? Pod?) of black widow spiders. Perhaps there’s something to the Native American folklore of the Spider Woman who preys during the full moon…
You simply have to be on board with Dan Curtis to enjoy Curse of the Black Widow; ubiquitous throughout the ‘70s, if you watched the daytime soap Dark Shadows, the Carl Kolchak TV movies The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler, the theatrical (and personal favorite) Burnt Offerings, and Karen Black’s TV tour de force Trilogy of Terror, you were weaned on a whole lot of Curtis, be it as a producer and/or director. While he always put together top notch talent, he was underrated as a director; not the most visually stylish perhaps, but he always drew solid work from his casts and could tell a hell of a story.
Much like this one. One part ‘50s giant monster movie, two parts Raymond Chandler, Curse has enough plot for three horror films yet somehow Curtis makes it all work. Is it silly? Of course it is. How could the tale of a femme fatale cum giant spider be anything but? His work is firmly focused on character, even if they’re thinly drawn; Curtis knows he’s giving us outlines here, but so do a lot of noirs that deal in types, not people. Look at the character names: Higbie. Gully. Leigh and Laura Lockwood. Ragsdale. Higbie’s assistant, played wonderfully by Roz Kelly (New Year’s Evil) is called Flaps. The teleplay by Robert Blees (Frogs) and Earl W. Wallace (Witness) knows exactly what it is, unapologetically so; they lean into the ridiculous even while the actors play it straight, making it even funnier. Curse often plays like a stretched out Kolchak episode without Darren McGavin; and while that may seem disappointing, it still offers as much charm as Curtis can cram onto the screen.
Franciosa is especially energetic as Higbie, Duke shows off a few new flavors I never noticed before, and if Morrow is in, so am I. My favorite bit part is awarded to that legendary Native American actor *checks notes* Jeff Corey (Battle Beyond the Stars), who offers up an exposition dump near the end, caterpillar eyebrows and all.
As for that ending: Curtis lets it all hang out in a fiery climax, and if you were just sticking around to see a less than convincing monstrous arachnid, you’re in luck. Curtis makes no apologies for that either, nor does he hide it. Curse of the Black Widow has no time to wallow in its shortcomings; when you’re this busy being entertaining, why bother?
About the Author - Scott DrebitScott Drebit lives and works in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is happily married (back off ladies) with 2 grown kids. He has had a life-long, torrid, love affair with Horror films. He grew up watching Horror on VHS, and still tries to rewind his Blu-rays. Some of his favourite horror films include Phantasm, Alien, Burnt Offerings, Phantasm, Zombie, Halloween, and Black Christmas. Oh, and Phantasm.
Wise-ass private detective Mark Higbie is fighting an uphill battle after a drinking buddy of his ends up another victim of a mysterious killer with a penchant for puncturing the chest of her victims and draining them of blood. He’s hired on by Leigh Lockwood, the fiancé of the dead dink, and the Vic Morrow led police force are trying to keep everything quiet. A witness points to a man-sized spider and Mark’s friend on the force is is tracking a lead rooted in folklore about a woman who can transform into a giant spider. Interesting that a mysterious seductress was escorted by Mark’s buddy to her car before vanishing into the night. It ties back to Mark’s client, who…
Cassie would spend hours talking to each person, offering advice and guidance while using her magic to calm their hearts and ease their burdens. It was said that the garden had a magical effect on those who entered, leaving them feeling rejuvenated and renewed. In addition to her magical garden, Cassie also used her powers to help those in immediate need. She would assist families who were struggling financially by conjuring up food and shelter. Cassie would also use her healing powers to cure diseases and ailments that seemed incurable. Cassie's charitable acts did not go unnoticed. The people of the town began to see her as a symbol of hope and kindness. They no longer saw her as a witch to be feared, but as a friend and ally. Many people would seek her out for her magical assistance, knowing that Cassie would always be there to help. Despite her fame and popularity, Cassie remained humble and grounded. She never sought recognition or praise for her charitable acts but simply continued to do what she felt was right. Cassie believed that everyone had the power to make a difference, and she encouraged others to use their abilities for the greater good. In the end, Cassie's charitable acts touched the lives of countless individuals. Her kindness and compassion left an everlasting impact on the community, forever changing the way witches were viewed. Cassie served as a beacon of hope, showing that no matter one's background or abilities, anyone can make a difference and bring about positive change in the world..
Reviews for "The Generosity of Witchcraft: Exploring Charitable Witch Cassie's Mission"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Charitable Witch Cassie". The story felt disjointed and the characters were underdeveloped. Cassie, in particular, came across as flat and uninteresting. The plot also seemed to drag on without any clear direction. I was hoping for a captivating and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Charitable Witch Cassie" was a letdown. The writing style was inconsistent and the dialogue felt forced. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself losing interest quickly. The concept of a charitable witch had potential, but it was poorly executed. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Charitable Witch Cassie", but I was left unsatisfied. The pacing was slow and the story lacked depth. The conflicts and challenges faced by the characters felt contrived and didn't evoke any emotional response. It's a shame because the premise sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
4. Michael - 3 stars - "Charitable Witch Cassie" had some interesting aspects, but it ultimately fell short for me. The writing style was average, and the story lacked originality. The characters were forgettable, and the plot felt predictable. While it wasn't terrible, it didn't leave a lasting impression either. I would recommend exploring other fantasy books before picking up this one.