Born in 1937 in Meda, Italy, Johnny Dorelli began his career as a singer before transitioning to acting in the 1970s. He appears in Love in 4 Easy Lessons (1976), where his charm and charisma shine through in a playful exploration of romance. Dorelli also stars in The Fiend (1977), a film that highlights his versatility in the realm of cult and exploitation cinema. His role in Sweetheart (1977) further cements his presence in this unique genre, making him a notable figure in the SassyFlix catalog.
The Fiend
Dorreli is a low rank journalist, with a desk next to the toilet at Tribuna Sera newspaper. His correspondence contains a serial killer’s letters, which he exploits. Circulation jumps. It takes him a while to realise the identity of the killer. While all this is happening, Johnnie neglects his red head son. Intriguing Italian mix of comedy and giallo. We are closer to the Volonte thrillers than Dario Argento here. Top rank technicians on form, though Morricone has done more distinctive work. Formidable central performance and direction which manages to mix bad taste comedy, murder mystery and comment on contemporary press ethics, parenting and publicity.
