Let's Kill Uncle (1966)

Let's Kill Uncle (1966)
aka: Let's Kill Uncle, Before Uncle Kills Us
Director: William Castle
Writer: Rohan O'Grady, Mark Rodgers
Cast: Nigel Green, Mary Badham, Pat Cardi
A 12-year-old orphan who has just inherited a fortune is trapped on an island with his uncle, a former British intelligence commander who intends to kill him.

William Castle the director who usually has more gimmicks than your local joke shop turns his unique talent to this light almost Disney like 60's thriller. An orphan Barnaby who's just inherited his fathers fortune is sent to live with his eccentric famous sergeant major uncle on a remote island, only turns out his uncle is planning on doing away with the kid to gain the wealth for himself.

As much as I enjoy William Castles movies (especially his gems with Vincent Price) its a shame that most are too hokey to elevate them to anything more than entertaining time fillers, Let's Kill Uncle's problem is it seems to be aimed at kids apart from a few odd touches like the creepy crippled grounds keeper or the shark filled garden pond, even worse for the film overall is the kid playing Barnaby is truly obnoxious (and I mean everything from the kids arrogant manners to his nerdy clothes) you'll actually want his uncle to succeed in killing him. One of the poorest William Castle movies I've seen (no doubt why it's rarely mentioned by anyone).

(5 out of 10)

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