A Bucket of Blood (1959) Movie Review

Dick Miller, Barboura Morris, Antony Carbone, Julian Burton

Jun 4, 2009

A Bucket of Blood stars Dick Miller as an insecure busboy who becomes a crazed sculptor, in this 1959 horror comedy.

Have you ever seen a dead cat covered in clay? How about dead people covered in clay? Directed by Roger Corman and written by Charles B. Griffith, A Bucket of Blood is a true dark comedy with all the right elements.

Plot Overview

Walter Paisley (Dick Miller) is a shy and inadequate busboy who works in a cafe called The Yellow Door. While working his routine shift he hears the words of poet Maxwell H. Brock who is reciting his work on stage in the cafe. Paisley, inspired by his words, returns home and attempts to create a sculpture. Walter uses a picture of his female infatuation, Carla (Barboura Morris) as his inspiration. However, he is unable to create anything with his clay. Walter then goes into a blind rage until he hears Frankie, the cat which belongs to his landlady, trapped in the wall of his apartment. As Walter uses a knife to cut a hole in the wall, Frankie is stabbed and killed. Walter retrieves the dead cat and places him on the table near his supply of clay. During the night Walter hears the great poetry of Maxwell H. Brock running over and over in his mind. Walter wakes up with new inspiration...and covers the cat in clay. Walter Paisley the artist is born! Paisley slowly begins to earn the recognition of everyone, but at what links will he go to in order to keep his reputation and popularity alive?

Final Thoughts

A Bucket of Blood is certainly an hour well spent. The film has a great mix of horror and humor which caters to various genres. Dick Miller did a fantastic job and the supporting cast was brilliant. The film didn't take itself too seriously, yet it supplied just the right amount of suspense at crucial times. A Bucket of Blood plays on the simple theme of acceptance and belonging. Walter Paisley wants to have something to show for himself and will stop at nothing to be embraced and validated. The concept is simple, yet something most everyone can relate too. The film was shot in just five days on a budget of $50,000. Many fans of true horror comedy would agree it was time and money well spent.

The copyright of the article A Bucket of Blood (1959) Movie Review in Horror Films is owned by Bryan Parker. Permission to republish A Bucket of Blood (1959) Movie Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.