Ruby

Rating:
Summary: GOOD HORROR SHOCKER....
Review: 50's actress Piper Laurie followed up her "comeback" in "Carrie" with this neglected horror item. She plays Ruby, a former gangster's moll now running a drive-in employing several of her old mob friends. She married a wealthy rival of her old beau who had him killed while she was pregnant with the younger man's child. Now the child is a teenager and mute. She begins exhibiting strange behavior and scary things start happening at the drive-in and Ruby is convinced her old lover has come back for her. The supernatural is played up well and there is no shortage of shocks. A lot of good moments and an overall creepiness pervade the film directed by Curtis Harrington. Piper Laurie gives another full-barreled performance as Ruby--still beautiful but half-deranged by alcohol and memories. Her blood red costume at the end is a knockout. VCI has done well with this on DVD. It deserves it.

Rating:
Summary: GOOD HORROR SHOCKER....
Review: 50's actress Piper Laurie followed up her "comeback" in "Carrie" with this neglected horror item. She plays Ruby, a former gangster's moll now running a drive-in employing several of her old mob friends. She married a wealthy rival of her old beau who had him killed while she was pregnant with the younger man's child. Now the child is a teenager and mute. She begins exhibiting strange behavior and scary things start happening at the drive-in and Ruby is convinced her old lover has come back for her. The supernatural is played up well and there is no shortage of shocks. A lot of good moments and an overall creepiness pervade the film directed by Curtis Harrington. Piper Laurie gives another full-barreled performance as Ruby--still beautiful but half-deranged by alcohol and memories. Her blood red costume at the end is a knockout. VCI has done well with this on DVD. It deserves it.

Rating:
Summary: It's me he wants, damn you -- me, me, me! Grade "A" B-movie
Review: Even with the few flaws, especially the ending, you will have a great time with this one. The commentary is great and I really enjoyed the banter between the director and Ruby herself, the LOVELY Ms. Piper Laurie. Stuart Whitman is great as well. If you're in the mood for a fun & effective drive-in delight, get this! By the way, Ms. Laurie, you look great in a turban!

Rating:
Summary: It's me he wants, damn you -- me, me, me! Grade "A" B-movie
Review: Even with the few flaws, especially the ending, you will have a great time with this one. The commentary is great and I really enjoyed the banter between the director and Ruby herself, the LOVELY Ms. Piper Laurie. Stuart Whitman is great as well. If you're in the mood for a fun & effective drive-in delight, get this! By the way, Ms. Laurie, you look great in a turban!

Rating:
Summary: DRIVE-IN HORROR AT IT'S BEST
Review: I saw this movie at the drive-in when I was a kid,and it scared the hell out of me.Cheesy special effects at it's best!So if you liked movies such as CARRIE and BEYOND THE DOOR, you'll love "RUBY" she'll tear your heart out.....

Rating:
Summary: " Damn Good Movie "
Review: I saw this movie when I was 10 years old. I stayed up late that night because my mom and dad were out of town and my aunt was the babysitter and we got away with the "Staying up late" thing. Well, anyway, I turned on the t.v. and there it was, RUBY, I kept my head covered up during most of the movie. I almost fainted when I heard a bump after finally going to bed. I am now 33 and have had trouble trying to locate the movie. Knowone remebers the good movies! but, I still remember " Ruby " That's a great movie.

Rating:
Summary: " Damn Good Movie "
Review: I saw this movie when I was 10 years old. I stayed up late that night because my mom and dad were out of town and my aunt was the babysitter and we got away with the "Staying up late" thing. Well, anyway, I turned on the t.v. and there it was, RUBY, I kept my head covered up during most of the movie. I almost fainted when I heard a bump after finally going to bed. I am now 33 and have had trouble trying to locate the movie. Knowone remebers the good movies! but, I still remember " Ruby " That's a great movie.

Rating:
Summary: An overlooked treasure.
Review: Piper Laurie(the crazed mother in CARRIE) gives another expert performance: This time around she's Ruby Claire, an ex-gun moll running a 1950's drive-in theatre which is haunted by the spirit of her murdered lover, Nicky(Sal Vecchio). Long available in only a grainy, horribly butchered version that was made for television, RUBY has finally been restored to its original luster and demands rediscovery! A special bonus on the DVD is audio commentary given by star Piper Laurie and director Curtis Harrington. A must for the horror film buff!

Rating:
Summary: Not A Harrington Classic
Review: Thanks to the DVD format many films that have suffered abuse at the hands of untalented studio executives and film censors have finally been given a chance to prove themselves for the classics that they truly are. Despite it's cult status Ruby is not one of those classics. According to Harrington, Ruby (1977) was the top grossing independent film of its time before John Carpenter's Halloween usurped its crown. Ruby's theatrical success and it's rareity on the video market have earned the film a cult following over the years. Now, finally having seen it I cannot understand why. Piper Laurie plays Ruby, an aging overly dramatic has-been who was amazingly beautiful in her day. Laurie's performance is fine but the character she plays is tired, cliched, and annoying. I had to force myself to get through her intolerable and lengthy scenes. The only performance worth watching is Ruby's mute daughter played by Janit Baldwin. Without Baldwin's eerie presence this film has little going for it, which is probably why her image is used for the poster art even though her character has only a minor role. The film is not without its moments, the finest being when Ruby's possessed daughter seduces then tries to kill her mother acting on behalf of the murdered father. Harrington is a very good director but I fail to see why fans count Ruby among his best work. My quibbles aside I am always pleased to see a lovingly presented DVD and VCI's 0 Region disc is just that. Transferred from the original 35mm negative in a rather tight 1:85:1 ratio Ruby looks as good as this low budget film can be expected. The sound is fine but it's nothing to crow about. The real goodies here are the supplements, which include a full length commentary by Harrington, an interview with Harrington by film critic David Del Valle, a photogallery and the theatrical trailer. Also noted among the DVD's special features is that this presentation is the "Director's Theatrical Cut". Please note the careful wording, this is NOT the Director's Cut. According to Harrington, Ruby is missing 6 minutes of footage (NOT noted on the case). He states in his interview with Del Valle that the film is very much his until the abrupt ending. VCI's presentation of Ruby contains a tacked on and artisically degrading ending which was not approved by Harrington. Aside from the loss of Harrington's original ending fans should be pleased by this release all others have been warned.