La ragazza nella impermeabile giallo

"The Girl in the Yellow Mackintosh" would make an arresting title for a new giallo movie, and -- as you can see -- actress Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni is already dressing the part. It was a tremendous treat for Donna and I to meet this icon of contemporary Italian horror (Dario Argento's OPERA, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and THE MOTHER OF TEARS, Lamberto Bava's DEMONS 2: THE NIGHTMARE CONTINUES and GHOST SON), at Cinema Wasteland in Strongsville, Ohio this past weekend.

But what is inside that box held ever so tightly in her evil clutch?

Well, Donna and I were so moved by Coralina's deeply emotional response to her first look at MARIO BAVA ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK -- and we were so charmed by her personally -- that we decided to present her with her own personally inscribed copy. Those of you who have received the book will recognize our tailor-made, custom-fitting book container.

Coralina was lucky enough to receive her copy at Cinema Wasteland, where Donna's and my signatures could be joined by those of fellow Cinema Wasteland guests of honor Brett Halsey (FOUR TIMES THAT NIGHT, ROY COLT & WINCHESTER JACK), John Saxon (THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, EVIL EYE) and none other than...

... Maestro Lamberto Bava, whom Donna and I finally met this past weekend after 28 years of contact by telephone and personal correspondence! That's right, as incredible as it seems, I have finally made contact with the Bava family in the flesh! It was an emotional couple of days, as you can imagine, and there will be more pictures and details coming soon to Video WatchBlog!

Italy's greatest giallo directors like to kill Coralina, but we much prefer hugging her and talking with her over a table piled high with good wine and good food. She returns home today with a 12-pound book cradled in her arms, but we came home yesterday much richer, feeling that we had found many new friends -- and a new sister.