While John Saxon is known for classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Black Christmas, I’m taking the opportunity to combine two favorites. Mario Bava cast Saxon as his male lead in Evil Eye, also known as The Girl Who Knew Too Much.   While his later roles trended more towards no-nonsense cop, red-herring, or just straight bad guy, in Evil Eye Saxon is the romantic lead.

• Directed by: Mario Bava
• Written by: Ennio De Concini. Sergio Corbucci. Eliana de Sabata
• Starring: John Saxon. Letícia Román. Valentina Cortese

An Early Giallo

Evil Eye is not a horror movie. It’s a murder mystery set in an idyllic, early ‘60s Rome. American tourist Nora Davis witnesses a brutal slaying while trying to get help after she discovers her elderly aunt has died. She is initially written off as hysterical or drunk. As her aunt’s former doctor Marcello, played by Saxon, helps her recover from the shock, they uncover the truth of what she witnessed. As well as its connection to a string of killings known as the “Alphabet Murders”.

There is a lot to discuss in Evil Eye.  It’s widely regarded as the one of the first giallo, and I could write an entire entry on how the style, mood, and story of Evil Eye inspired later films. For now, what I want to focus on is the characters Bava brings to life here.  Specifically, Nora and Marcello.

Nora is a different kind of leading lady. When we are first introduced to her, she’s seen reading a mystery novel titled “The Knife”.  She’s regularly shown as smart as she tries to protect herself from danger, even going so far as to booby trap the house she’s staying at. Nora also believes in survival.  She’s bright and beautiful, and it’s easy to see why Marcello would want to be with her.

Marcello

Marcello, Saxon’s character, on the other hand, is a doctor. He’s practical and logical, but also deeply concerned about Nora’s safety.  He’s a great foil to her rather rash nature. Once Marcello has proof of Nora’s claims, he’s all-in on helping her. He just wants to be smart about it. His attempts to protect Nora and general nature come off comedic at times. It’s a very different role then one an American audience might be used to.

He’s honestly not in the movie much. This is Nora’s story, which makes sense when everything is resolved in the end.   Evil Eye, after all, is a movie about strong women, good and bad.  It fit with the movie that Nora’s boyfriend would be there to assist her, not overshadow her. 

Is Evil Eye Any Good?

As a mystery, yes. It’s shot beautifully in black and white. Bava uses lighting dramatically and effectively and has one of the best leading ladies of the early giallos. It’s not particularly bloody or gruesome, going for mood over cheap thrills. The plot is straightforward while still offering a few twists and turns. Most importantly, the characters are memorable, and their interactions balance the tension with levity in unique ways. 

Is John Saxon Good in It?

He’s believable as a pragmatic romantic lead. More importantly, he seems to be having fun with the role. It’s the little moments that add up to a convincing character, and Saxon gives Marcello plenty. From the times he almost falls asleep from working too many late shifts, to his constantly babying the injuries sustained due to Nora’s self-defense techniques, Marcello feels like a real character in a strange situation.

Saxon’s Other Works

Saxon would go on to perfect his pragmatic everyman character in other genre roles. Even as he gravitated away from romantic leads, he made his mark as a memorable character actor and grounding force.  No matter the role, he was a reliable character actor with hundreds of TV and film credits, including Enter the Dragon. Yeah, Nancy’s dad was also a black belt in karate.   He also ventured back into giallo, this time playing an investigator in Dario Argento’s Tenabre. It’s somewhat fitting that John Saxon was in one of the first of the genre, and also in one of the last of the originals.  By 1982, the giallo was losing ground at the box office in favor of the next incarnation: the slasher,  a subgenre that John Saxon also played a role in shaping.

Final Thoughts

Across horror, the skeptical cop is a long-standing archetype. For me, I’m not sure if there is a better example of an actor in that role than Saxon. That’s what makes his Evil Eye character so interesting.  Looking at his work before he became well-known offers a different perspective on his talent, and the length and depth of his career.  

Evil Eye is available on Streaming