Mark of The Witch (1970) – Tom Moore.

'Time is nothing to the Devil's favoured child!'

This clearly low budget Texan supernatural shocker has Professor of occult sciences (Robert Elston), and his pretty student (Anitra Walsh) fall foul of a 16^th century witch (Marie Santell). One of horror's most immediately satisfying tropes is that of a vengeful witch, menacingly monologuing upon the gallows, and Santell rocks it like a blaspheming boss! While the film-making, photography, and prosaic text are flat and uninviting, the primitive electronic score, period acid-fuzz guitar, and showroom pristine period fashions remain lively.

As horror, Mark of the Witch is a hokily fun, but ultimately tepid summoning of evil, enjoyed as a kitsch B-Witch, it's a delightfully devilish distraction. Performances are uneven, but attractive brunette Anitra vividly invokes a luscious, altogether saftig witch host, and much of the archaic beatnik repartee is a gas! As handsome Anitra underwent her eldritch fireside boogie, she momentarily appeared to morph into an appetisingly corn-fed Bjork! I just wanted it noted that I heartily disapprove of spontaneously combusting an innocent budgie in order to make a point!!!! Budgie's are people too, guy!!!!