Movie review - "The Killing of Sister George" (1968) **1/2

Robert Aldrich’s first film for his own company set up after the success of The Dirty Dozen was a return to the same territory as Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? In other words, a macabre look at a twisted relationship between two women: in this case lesbians Beryl Reid and Susannah York. This one didn’t make it as a commercial success, despite being based on a hit play and the titillation of the lesbian theme (including a final lesbian love scene between Coral Browne and a topless – nipples and everything – York which really does feel put in for shock’s sake – as opposed to a scene in a lesbian club which feels natural.) Maybe it needed the star power of Bette Davis, although Reid is excellent as the boozy, insecure George. Really, she probably should have been sacked. Maybe it lacked a genuine murder – it feels as though it needed more of a wallop towards the end. Entertaining, though, with some good lines and scenes like when Reid makes York eat a cigar.