Marta

1971's "Marta" was among the Avco Embassy brand of foreign horror titles available for television in the late 70s, but little seen since. Stephen Boyd, who died six years after completing this film (age 49), stars as wealthy landowner Miguel, first seen murdering his mother when she walks in on his love making. Marisa Mell, who also died young (in 1992, age 53), plays a beautiful fugitive who has apparently killed a man and finds a place to stay at Miguel's sprawling estate. It doesn't take long for the two to fall into bed together, although Miguel remains haunted by the disappearance of his wife Pilar, whose portrait bears a striking resemblance to his current paramour. The usual police investigation does not intrude much, and the film holds up rather well, despite a somewhat predictable climax. The two leads carry the film, and Marisa Mell does not disappoint with a fair amount of topless nudity. Only recently emerging from its undeserved obscurity, "Marta" aired three times on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater, paired with second feature "Son of Frankenstein" on May 14 1977, solo appearances on Mar 22 1980 and Aug 1 1981.