"The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion" has undoubtedly its assets: the remarkable camera work by cinematographer Alejandro Ulloa, quite meticulously chosen, très chic décors, exquisite sixties fashion, an expertly done soundtrack by Ennio M., and above all the ravishing beauty of Andalusian actress Nieves Navarro who would later marry director Luciano Ercoli. Alas, after a more or less promising first half - sadistic erotomaniac is stalking innocent Italian hausfrau (Dagmar Lassander) -, the script by hackmeister Ernesto Gastaldi is going downhill, and fast - including a "surprise" ending even more devastatingly silly than other Gastaldi baloney à la "The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh" or "The Case of the Scorpion's Tail". In the DVD extra feature, round-faced and highly likable Gastaldi grins knowingly: he sure sold a lot of merda.

Pill-popping, alcoholic wife of a struggling businessman, Minou(the foxy bright red head Dagmar Lassander, often covered with heavy facial make-up)is being tormented by a sexual deviant/sadist(Simón Andreu)who has her listen to a cassette tape that might just possibly link her husband the killer of an investor who was recently found dead. Minou adores her husband and even if he's a killer she's willing to give up her body to this cretin if it saves her beloved from being implicated in a crime of his own doing. What Minou doesn't realize is that the blackmailing sicko photographed their sexual activity and now threatens to expose pictures to her husband if she doesn't allow herself to becoming his sex slave! The blackmailer is quite elusive and any trace of his identity seems hard to come by..Minou's husband Peter(Pier Paolo Capponi)and Police Commissioner Frank(Osvaldo Genazzani)believe it's quite possible she's having a nervous breakdown or a collapse in sanity. Only her nympomaniacal best friend Dominique(the VERY sexy Susan Scott who is wardrobed to show the goods and figure she's blessed with)seems to believe Minou's cries that there is a sadistic fiend threatening to kill her if she doesn't comply with his demands at sexual servitude. But, is the blackmailer REALLY the mastermind of the degrees of mental anguish bestowed upon Minou?Crazy giallo has a few twists and turns, but this is a psycho-thriller where we know the heroine is voicing the truth although he's cagey and able to hide away from capture. The film puts out everyone as a suspect, even Dominque at one point. As in the very best gialli, the success of the plot depends on how the viewer is fooled..if you can see the twist coming a mile away(..and I did)then perhaps it fails. As far as the fashions..this is a gay fashion designer's wet dream. The film's a practical run-way of Italian fashion dressing Lassander and Scott in various styles. Plenty of sleaze for the average giallo-lover.

'Forbidden Photos Of A Lady Of A Lady Above Suspicion' is an above average giallo that fans of the genre should seek out. The beautiful Dagmar Lassander (Fulci's so-so 'House By The Cemetary') plays a woman who is attacked by a stranger who almost rapes her then retreats telling her that her husband is a cheat and a murderer. She is devoted to her husband, a businessman who unbeknown to her is having an affair with her best friend, the cynical Dominique (Susan Scott). The mysterious stranger continues to haunt her and plants doubts in her mind about her husband. A business associate of his died under unusual circumstances and she becomes convinced that he was involved in his death. Her would be rapist becomes a blackmailer threatening to unmask her husband unless she allows him to take pornographic photos of her. Still loving her husband she is forced to comply. This is just the beginning of this entertaining thriller which has several surprises in store. While nowhere near the best giallo I have watched it is still to be recommended. I was entertained, and the story had me involved up to the very end.

Ever after giallo writer Ernesto Gastaldi teams up with producer-director Luciano Ercoli for this Forbidden Photos... Set in 1970, this early giallo is nicely shot in Techniscope. No murders, just plain old blackmail story and some shy eroticism. Sultry Dagmar Lassander is at her best and Susan Scott is also fab as the devious friend.The plot is totally implausible but the suspense works til the end...It's always surprising to see in these 70's gialli how the women look incredibly sexy and how the men are all ugly...projections of the writers/directors fantasies, maybe? Anyhoo... not boring at all, funny at some point -check out the dresses and the hats, it's a blast!-, not necessary but worth a look.