WEIRD WEDNESDAY: The Case of the Smiling Stiffs (1973)

“The First Sex-Rated Whodunit” combines softcore sexual content — appearing as if it were originally shot hardcore with scenes later edited out — with a murder mystery, and possibly even a vampire element. This film, directed by Sean S. Cunningham and Brud Talbot, is also known as Case of the Full Moon Murders. It features many of the same cast and crew from The Last House on the Left. There’s no Wes Craven or David Hess, and for some reason, the production moved to Miami.

The film raises intriguing questions: Is Emma (played by Sheila Stuart) a voyeur, a vampire, or perhaps both? Why are so many men, whom she engages with intimately, found drained of blood and lifeless, yet smiling? Will the Dragnet-style detectives, led by Joe (portrayed by Fred J. Lincoln), manage to solve the case?

The film was such a success in Australia that discussions about a sequel continued as late as 1977.