Terry Bourke, born in 1940, was an influential Australian director and writer known for his work in the cult film genre. He directed and wrote Inn of the Damned (1975), a film that blends horror and exploitation, showcasing his distinct narrative style. In Lady Stay Dead (1981), Bourke further solidified his reputation with a gripping tale that intertwines suspense and psychological elements. His contributions to Australian cinema through these films reflect a unique perspective that resonates with fans of cult and grindhouse cinema.
Lady Stay Dead
Pretty singer/actress Marie Coleby has a charmed,affluent life in Sydney. She lives alone in a beach-side mansion with her dog and doting neighbour, old Billy Shepherd helps her out from time to time. The bearded Gordon Mason is her gardener. He is a psycho,who enjoys lying in bed with a mannequin and dreaming about torturing women on the beach. His obsession with Marie leads to rape and murder. A new resident enters the house of murder. Marie’s older sister Jenny Nolan is looking for her… “Lady Stay Dead” is a sleazy psycho slasher comparable to “Maniac”, “Don’t Go in the House”, “Never Pick Up a Stranger” or “American Nightmatre”. There is plenty of sleaze and full-frontal nudity as well as some brutal violence. Chard Hayward is perfect as a appropriately perverted and crazed murderer.
