(Streamed via Dark Matter TV)
Mr. Morales (Arturo de Cordova) is a perpetually henpecked husband who is married to a real shrew (Amparo Rivelles). He finally has enough of his nagging wife’s shit and decides to poison her. Since Mr. Morales is a taxidermist by trade, he proudly displays the bones of Mrs. Morales in his storefront window, practically begging for the suspicious townsfolk to call the cops. Naturally, he is arrested, fools everyone at the trial, and eventually gets away with murder. After the trial, he confesses his crime to his local padre (and main accuser), who informs him he will soon face the wrath of God for his deeds.
Directed in atmospheric fashion by Rogelio A. (Ship of Monsters) Gonzalez, The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales is a beautiful looking film. The cinematography is excellent and some of the camerawork is quite impressive (especially in the final scene). In fact, there are moments that may make you think of both Alfred Hitchcock and Mario Bava.
Ultimately, the story is a bit one-note and predictable to be fully effective. It would’ve made for a gangbusters half-hour episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents or The Twilight Zone, but at feature length, it has a tendency to drag (particularly in the second act). Although the twist is telegraphed ahead of time, it is nevertheless well executed by Gonzalez. I won’t spoil it for you. I’ll just say it’s the sort of thing you have seen dozens of variations of before in similar films, although to be fair, it’s done better here than in lots of better known movies.
The acting is a bit maudlin and hammy, which helps prevent it from really kicking into gear. Both de Cordova and Rivelles go over the top at times, which doesn’t necessarily endear them to the audience. With no one to sympathize with or root for, we are essentially just along for the ride and await the guilty party to get their just desserts.
Bottom Line: Despite having a bone (or two) to pick with the film, The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales is a solid little horror chiller.
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