Watch Curse of the Black Widow

Curse of the Black Widow is a 1977 made-for-television horror film that centers around a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths that occur at a retirement home. The film stars Anthony Franciosa as Mark Higbie, a private investigator hired to investigate the bizarre deaths, Donna Mills as Cathy, a journalist who is also researching the story, and Patty Duke as Laura, a psychic who is helping the investigation.

The movie begins with the sudden death of a wealthy man at a retirement home. Shortly thereafter, other residents begin to die in strange and gruesome ways. The strange circumstances surrounding the deaths attract the attention of Cathy, a journalist, who begins to investigate the case. She meets Mark Higbie, a private investigator who has been hired by one of the victim's families to look into the matter.

As they both delve deeper into the mystery, they learn that all of the victims were connected to a woman named Olivia, who had been staying at the retirement home for several years. Olivia is rumored to be a black widow, which means that she has been marrying wealthy men and then killing them for their money. The question is, is Olivia really responsible for the murders at the retirement home?

The investigation takes an even darker turn when Laura, a psychic who is also investigating the case, is attacked by an unknown assailant. Laura believes that the person responsible is none other than the Black Widow herself. As the body count continues to rise, Mark and Cathy are left to unravel the truth behind the Black Widow's identity and stop her before she strikes again.

One of the most notable aspects of Curse of the Black Widow is the strong performances by the cast. Anthony Franciosa is excellent in the role of Mark Higbie, bringing a level of wit and charm to the character that helps to offset some of the film's darker moments. Donna Mills is also impressive as Cathy, playing the character as a determined and resourceful journalist who will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of the case.

Perhaps the most standout performance, however, comes from Patty Duke as Laura. Duke is absolutely mesmerizing in the role, conveying a sense of otherworldly power and mystique that makes her character both fascinating and terrifying. Her scenes with Franciosa and Mills are some of the most memorable in the entire film.

Another strength of the movie is the way in which it builds tension and suspense throughout its runtime. Director Dan Curtis, known for his work on the television series Dark Shadows, creates a creepy and foreboding atmosphere that keeps the audience on edge even during the film's quieter moments. The use of shadows, close-ups, and eerie music all help to create a sense of unease that culminates in a thrilling finale.

Overall, Curse of the Black Widow is a well-made and entertaining horror film that boasts strong performances, suspenseful pacing, and a memorable villain. Despite being a made-for-television movie from the late 70s, it manages to hold up surprisingly well and is sure to leave horror fans satisfied.

Curse of the Black Widow is a 1977 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.