Death Carries a Cane

Death Carries a Cane

Year: 1973

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Maurizio Pradeaux

ThrillerHorrorMystery

Screaming can’t save you from his steely blade. In Rome, photographer Kitty witnesses a young woman being murdered by a razor‑wielding killer wearing a black glove. She and her fiancé Alberto report the crime, only to discover that two other witnesses have already been brutally slashed to death, leaving the investigation in terrifying jeopardy.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Death Carries a Cane (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Death Carries a Cane (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Italy

An Italian setting drives the mystery, shifting between urban streets and intimate interiors. The action travels from street-level visuals—peanut vendors and windows to kill scenes—to the glitz of a dance academy and a hotel. The atmosphere blends everyday Italian life with suspense as clues emerge across the city.

🇮🇹 Italy 🏙️ City

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

Main Characters – Death Carries a Cane (1973)

Meet the key characters of Death Carries a Cane (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Marco (Simón Andreu)

Marco is a disgruntled dancer who uses a cane to conceal his killings, turning professional ambition into murderous retaliation. He stalks the dance academy and believes himself above suspicion, erasing witnesses with cold efficiency. His calm, methodical demeanor masks a volatile fixation on failure and control.

🧩 Villain 🎭 Dancer 🗡️ Killer

Kitty (Nieves Navarro)

Kitty is a vacationing young woman who first notices the murders through a coin-operated binoculars view. She becomes a crucial eyewitness and partner to Alberto, driving the investigation forward with persistence and courage. Her observations escalate the stakes as she confronts danger while seeking the truth.

🔎 Protagonist 🗨️ Courageous

Alberto Morosini (Robert Hoffmann)

Alberto is Kitty's companion and a suspect at one point due to his injury, but he proves to be resourceful and determined to uncover the truth. He navigates police skepticism while helping to connect the murders by following the cane clues. He remains a steady, logical counterpart to Kitty's intuition.

🧭 Investigator 🗡️ Determined

Inspector Merughi (George Martin)

The inspector leads the investigation, initially cautious about the case's scope but gradually more invested as the pattern becomes clear. He orchestrates the sting and ultimately confronts the killer, insisting on due process even in the face of danger. His persistence anchors the pursuit of the murderer.

👮 Investigator 🕰️ Persistent 🧭 Decisive

Magda Hopkins (Cristina Tamborra)

Magda is one of the dancers targeted by Marco, whose murder underscores the killer's fixation on the dance academy circle. Her performance environment becomes the scene of the crime, highlighting the vulnerability of aspiring artists under pressure. Her death drives home the danger lurking in the backstage world.

🎭 Dancer 🕯️ Victim 🕵️‍♀️ Target

Lidia Arrighi (Anuska Borova)

Lidia is Marco's wife and the sister of Silvia; she becomes entangled in the investigation and helps reveal the killer's motive. Her relationship with Marco adds personal tension to the case, complicating judgments and loyalties. She provides critical insight into the killer's pattern and connections within the dance world.

💑 Wife 👯 Twin

Silvia Arrighi (Anuska Borova)

Silvia is Lidia's twin sister, connected to the Arrighi family dynamic; she appears in the same social circle, sharing the dual presence of the sisters in the narrative. Her role reinforces the theme of hidden identities within the dance community. She mirrors Lidia's concerns as the case unfolds.

👯 Twin 🔎 Ally

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

Major Themes – Death Carries a Cane (1973)

Explore the central themes of Death Carries a Cane (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Signature Cane

A recurring cane leaves a literal imprint at each crime, turning a simple prop into the killer's calling card. The pattern compels investigators to connect disparate murders and focus on motive. The cane's presence magnifies the tension, hinting at a controlled, deliberate killer. The motif anchors the pursuit through the city.

🎭 Deception

The killer's costume and staged scenarios mislead witnesses and investigators alike, obscuring identity. Characters disguise intentions—Kitty posing as a prostitute in a sting, with others weaving false impressions—to confuse the trail. The plot plays with appearances, forcing the audience to question who to trust. Deception drives the mystery toward a shocking truth.

🔎 Revelation

The investigation narrows as the cane-imprint clue aligns with the suspects, culminating in the unmasking of Marco as the killer. Relationships and past motives surface, revealing a personal vendetta behind the murders. The inspector's takedown punctuates the pursuit of justice, tying the strands together. The ending reframes the victims' connection within the dance community.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

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Death Carries a Cane Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Death Carries a Cane, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Death Carries a Cane Summary

Death Carries a Cane Timeline

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Death Carries a Cane Timeline

More About Death Carries a Cane

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