‘Headless’ grips audience
By Daily Bruin Staff
March 13, 1996 9:00 p.m.
‘Headless’ grips audience
By Dina Gachman
Daily Bruin Contributor
One night in New York, several strangers wander into a dingy
topless bar, unaware that they are about to experience the most
frightening and intense night of their lives.
"Headless Body in a Topless Bar" is a psychological drama
playing at Melnitz this Friday. Written by Peter Koper and directed
by James Bruce, the movie was inspired by a 1983 New York Post
headline which read "Headless Body in Topless Bar." A man held the
customers hostage, shot the bartender, and forced a waitress to cut
off the dead man’s head so the bullet would not be traced. Bruce
fictionalized some of the story and created a gripping film which
is often torturous to watch.
Bruce puts together a talented group of character actors.
Raymond Barry ("Dead Man Walking") plays the disturbed killer, and
Taylor Nichols of "Barcelona" is one of the hostages who is forced
to bare his soul, and his secrets, by the twisted urgings of the
killer.
Despite some pointless scenes and awkward lines, the film is a
dark portrait of the human mind. It’s psychologically taxing, but
"Headless Body in Topless Bar" is not easily forgotten.
FILM: Screening at 7:30 p.m. at Melnitz Theater. For more info,
call 825-2345.
"Headless Body in a Topless Bar"
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