There was a go-round of films like Who Slew Auntie Roo? (1972), What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969) and What’s the Matter with Helen? (1971) … all about the same time that had these catchy titles. Probably influenced by the likes of the earlier What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and the promotional skills of showman/director/producer William Castle ... and maybe even Herschell Gordon Lewis.
In any case, down in Florida, Thomas Casey, had written Flesh Feast in 1967 (he was the cinematographer on the film as well), a film that is noted for starring none other than Veronica Lake (in her final screen appearance). The film didn’t make it to theatres until 1970, and it was about that time that Casey teamed up with Harry Kerwin, who was the “production manager” on Flesh Feast to make Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things.
Two jewel thieves and would-be bank-robbers, Stanley (Wayne Crawford, who would later team with Kerwin for God’s Bloody Acre and Barracuda … also starred as Jake Speed in director Andrew Lane’s 1986 film release of Jake Speed) and Paul (Abe Zwick) take it on the lamb after one of their heists goes south. Paul dons the disguise of Stanley’s Aunt Martha, which should be the perfect cover.
However, instead of keeping a low profile and waiting until things blow over, Stanley, although in a gay relationship with Paul, is drawn to exotic young women. He brings them home and Aunt Martha becomes very protective … some might even go so far as to say she is deranged. The body count mounts!!
Bonus features include commentary with film historian and archivist Evan Purchell, who is joined by American Genre Film Archive’s Bret Berg, the 1970 short film titled The Drag Queen’s Ball and two additional short films — Gay-In III and Caught in the Can.
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