Curse of the Black Widow (1977) | Merits of Sin | Region-Free (DVD)

Title: Curse of the Black Widow (1977)

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Crime, Sci-Fi

Plot Synopsis:
In this 1977 made-for-TV horror film directed by Dan Curtis, private investigator Mark Higbie (Anthony Franciosa) delves into a series of gruesome murders in Los Angeles. The victims, all men, are found drained of blood with puncture wounds filled with spider venom. The investigation leads to twin sisters Leigh (Donna Mills) and Laura Lockwood (Patty Duke), unveiling a dark family secret involving a generational curse that transforms women into deadly spider creatures under the full moon. As Higbie uncovers the truth, he must confront a monstrous threat that blurs the line between myth and reality.

Cast & Crew:

• Director: Dan Curtis

• Writers: Robert Blees, Earl W. Wallace

• Cast:

  • Anthony Franciosa as Mark Higbie

  • Donna Mills as Leigh Lockwood

  • Patty Duke as Laura Lockwood

  • June Lockhart as Mrs. Lockwood

  • June Allyson as Olga

IMDb Link:
Curse of the Black Widow on IMDb

​Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Geoffrey Broomer – ★★★☆☆
   “ABC TV movie by the Dan Curtis machine feels like a backdoor pilot in a post-Kolchak landscape… despite a fairly impressive cast of guest stars, aspires to a weaker episode of Kolchak versus the sleeker Night Stalker movies.”

2. Jim Dooley – ★★★½
   “Structurally, it follows the template of THE NIGHT STALKER… includes a final shot ‘twist’ that is genuinely cool. There is plenty of classic monster hokum.”

3. Brennan Dortch Cornelius Thunderbolt – ★★★★☆
   “Dan Curtis directed TV fun with a great cast and a fucking werespider as a villain… it’s delightful as all hell.”

4. SkaneNoise – ★★½
   “This is just a regular police show, except instead of a minority gang causing a stir it’s a woman who is a were-spider causing a stir… The dialogue was utter shit.”

5. MCreature – ★★☆☆
   “Nothing against Anthony Franciosa, but this TV creature feature really needed Darren McGavin’s neurotic Kolchak to keep things interesting during the slow churn investigation turns.”

Meta Description:
Curse of the Black Widow (1977) is a made-for-TV horror film directed by Dan Curtis, featuring a private investigator unraveling a deadly family curse that transforms women into monstrous spiders. With a blend of mystery and supernatural elements, the film offers a chilling narrative rooted in folklore and psychological horror.​