The Maltese Bippy (1969)

Starring Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Carol Lynley, Julie Newmar, Mildred Natwick
Directed by Norman Panama
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

An actor making low budget adult films with his business partner fears his penchant for howling means he may be changing into a werewolf.

We have here a comedy vehicle for TV's Laugh-In stars Rowan and Martin, but fans of the series may well be disappointed, as none of the other actors from the series make appearances, and the film itself is nothing special.  Although there's a few witty lines, there's not enough to provoke genuine laughs, the odd horror-mystery plot seems out of place, and although the film boasts a fine supporting cast, they're not given enough to do.

The Shuttered Room (1967)

Starring Gig Young, Carol Lynley, Oliver Reed, Flora Robson, Judith Arthy
Directed by David Greene
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A young woman returns with her husband to her childhood home on the isle of Dunwich, but the island residents warn her it is a house of evil.

Based on a story by August Derleth and H.P. Lovecraft, this is a disturbing tale of horror, but the shocking secret of the house is at times less disturbing then the reckless youths of the island, who also threaten the young couple.  Although this affords a showy role for Oliver Reed as the gang's ringleader, it's too similar to parts he's played before, and I feel the filmmakers would have been better off focusing more on the mystery behind the creature in "the shuttered room."  The film's avant-garde music score, featuring a combination of jazz and discordant rhythms is as interesting risk, although I'm not sure it makes the picture any better.  Still, the cast puts in good work here, there's some striking photography, and the story is a classic, even if the film isn't.