The Reverend committing adultery

In a small town in North Carolina, the married Reverend Samuel Moss falls in love with Marilyn Holland, trapped in a loveless marriage. The two begin an affair. When the bodies of Samuel and Marilyn are found in a park one night, everything points to the fact that the shady Mose Cooper was the culprit. Reporter Chuck, however, has his doubts...

The Electric Chair initially gives the impression that we are dealing with a Southern exploitation flick, but then quickly turns into a courtroom drama, in which the case of the two murdered is meticulously examined. The Electric Chair is not A Witness for the Prosecution, but the trials are surprisingly suspensefully staged and well-cast with striking actors. The lawyer for the other side, with his goatee, is terrific. The twists and turns, including the conviction of the perpetrator, are well done, so that a recommendation can be made here. After The Body Shop, The Electric Chair is the second and unfortunately last directorial effort by J.G. Patterson Jr, the producer of Axe.

Uncut version released on Blu-ray

The film Axe was released on DVD in the US by Something Weird Video. The bonus material includes an edited version of The Electric Chair, which has been trimmed by various action scenes. The cut scenes are not essential to understanding the film and were presumably removed for runtime reasons. The uncut version was released on Blu-ray in the US by Code Red. According to the back cover, the transfer is from the only film element of the director's cut. The Blu-ray offers the option to watch the film as Maria's B-Movie Mayhem, with segments featuring Maria Kanellis added before and after the film. Other than a bit of hysterical silliness with Bill Olsen, this framing segment has nothing to offer.

Short film tears are not listed in the report.

Picture comparison:

US DVD:

US BD:

Runtimes:

US DVD: 85:58 min.
US BD: 97:39 min.

Comparison between the US DVD by Something Weird Video and the US Blu-ray by Code Red.

[00:03:32][00:03:34]

Frustrated, Marilyn looks at the filthy kitchen. She wants to wipe down the table, but quickly gives up.

BD: 38 sec.


[00:03:43][00:04:24]

After Joss is seen smoking, Marilyn grabs a dress from the closet. Frantically, she sits in front of the makeup mirror and begins to change her clothes. With no top, she combs her hair. Joss is lying drunk on the couch. Marilyn puts on the dress and applies lipstick. She applies perfume, combs her hair and puts on jewelry. Eventually, a cut to the drunken Joss.

BD: 3:23 min.


[00:06:45][00:10:49]

After Samuel says to Clair that he is her husband, he is seen putting his shirt back on. Clair goes up to him and tells him not to touch her like that, as she has never liked it. She says that one day this will be settled, but Samuel says that it would then lead to divorce, which Clair could not bear because of her social status. Clair counters that Samuel married her because of her social standing. Samuel thinks that the church gives him his social standing and he married her for love and since he thought she was a woman. Clair says that Samuel's looks always remind her that she is a woman. Snappily, he replies that he was thinking of a human woman. Clair tells him that she will not go to church with him tonight. Samuel leaves the house.

BD: 1:34 min


[00:13:42][00:19:20]

Samuel and Marilyn can be seen continuing in the car. As Marilyn is crying, Samuel gives her his handkerchief. He tells her that even with smeared makeup, she is an attractive woman. Marilyn says that she can't go home like this. Samuel suggests that they could go for a walk and get some fresh air.

BD: 1:02 min.


[00:15:05][00:21:46]

Samuel continues to help Marilyn put on her dress. She comments that she is now a woman. Samuel thinks that he should actually feel guilty. Marilyn does not feel guilty either. The two kiss each other.

BD: 21 secs.


[00:19:02][00:26:05]

After Clair said the cops should talk to her lawyer, you see her leave the room for longer. A cut to the clock follows. The sheriff asks his colleagues who is left now. Harry says that Mose Cooper has information for the police. The sheriff says that Cooper should come in for questioning. He then sends Harry to the Moss house to scare Billy away.

The next shot with the interrogation starts a little earlier.

BD: 49 sec.


[00:27:54][00:35:48]

After Chuck is let into her house by Carol, the two are seen in the next scene having a picnic by the lake. Carol says that the two have been meeting every day for the week and he still hasn't told her what he knows. Chuck suggests that it's a secret. At her plea, Chuck relents. He says that he was able to discover William Spencer's (=Billy) fingerprints on the business card they found. Carol says that he is strange but harmless. Then he goes on to say that he had learned that Samuel wanted to break up with Clair and Clair paid the maid who knew about it to say nothing. He hopes to reopen the case with these two points. Carol and Chuck kiss.

BD: 2:17 min


[00:53:48][01:04:01]

The DVD shows a brief black screen after Lee tells Davison that he recognized Clair and Billy in the night.

On the Blu-ray, the scene goes even further. The other side's lawyer says he has no questions for the witness. There is a pause and the audience is asked to rise.

This is followed by a report from the reporter who tells that the prosecution has presented a lot of evidence, while the other side has not presented much so far. He plans to report again the next morning. When the camera is off, he complains about having to report this garbage.

The next morning, the reporter calls in and says that Billy is still to be interviewed today.

The shot of Billy sitting in the dock begins earlier.

DVD: 1 sec.
BD: 1:26 min.