A Journey Back to 1962: Satan in High Heels
Here’s another quick blog. I watched Satan in High Heels and enjoyed it but, there really weren’t a lot of takeaways for me. I have come to learn that most of the time with these older movies, you don’t get a lot of wild stuff unless it’s a unique milestone film. Normally, I just find myself appreciating the trip back in time. Ultimately, Satan in High Heels was only this – some time traveling. I wasn’t overly impressed with the movie, rather only small parts. Grab your whiskey glass and cigarettes and read on for my thoughts on this snapshot of 1962.
The Allure of the Satan in High Heels Poster Art
First, the poster for this film and the title itself, Satan in High Heels, had me. I did a little digging, and the poster tied to this movie was not the original movie poster but had parts of it. From what I’ve found, the female figure was pulled from the original poster and placed onto the “Something Weird” neon background. This must be a movie series or something because I’ve seen another movie from the collection before. Anyway, the art stood out and I was interested in digging in. The title too had me – I immediately knew what it was about and the year 1962 put it right up my alley. The movie was what I expected and not at all what I expected simultaneously.
Smoking and Drinking: A Glimpse into 1960s Club Culture
Let’s circle back to that whiskey glass and cigarette. There was more on-screen drinking and smoking in Satan in High Heels than I think I’ve seen in modern films. Most of the movie takes place in a club so, naturally, everyone is drinking and smoking. This is constant though. They go to the house and pour a drink and then to the restaurant where they smoke and drink. I guess this is what you did in the 60s if you had money. When I think of a club, the one(s) in Satan in High Heels are not the kind I have in mind. “Clubs” to me might involve liquor, smoking is now banned, there is music, and there are girls but, it all works together a little differently in 2025. Of course, this was made roughly 7 decades ago, and culture has changed…a lot.
Sabrina: The Epitome of 1960s Elegance
There’s one character in this movie that stood out to me, and it wasn’t the main character. Her name is Sabrina and she is played by Sabrina (which is odd – no last name?). Her character is another of the “entertainers” that perform at the club featured in Satan in High Heels. I say entertainers in quotations because I don’t find these shows very fun. This club was not the kind of club we have today. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not campaigning for a lot of the places we have or things we do, I’m just saying I don’t see this place as being fun. It’s a bunch of well-dressed men sitting around tables sipping wine or whiskey with their wives watching these attractive ladies sing Frank Sinatra-type music. While pieces of this are fun, together it is not my cup of tea…or whiskey.
So, about Sabrina and what stood out to me. Sabrina is exactly what I imagine the ultra-elite snooty people from the 1960s would have looked like. Her dress seems to be way too expensive, is tight-fitting, hugs her figure, and a fir is draped over her shoulders. Her hair is neatly styled high on top of her head. The biggest thing I noticed that gave me stereotypical rich vibes was her greyhound companion (at least that’s what I think the breed is). This canine was as pretty as her. We’ve all seen the Paris Hilton type carrying a Yorkie in their pocketbook. Satan in High Heels is worth watching for this scene alone. It’s hard to articulate but, this is a great visual illustration of this stereotype. Sabrina is the Paris Hilton of 1962, see below.
The Role of Pets as Status Symbols in Mid-Century Society
Let me get this out of my head because it’s driving me crazy and I’m going to ramble more about Sabrin and her dog. I have never understood why people have dogs that are “pretty” just to be so. The companionship of a dog is out of this world, and I love mine – he’s a black and mahogany European Rottweiler and you can see his social media page here. I get that sometimes people will have small dogs to keep them company and for the peace their unconditional love brings and maybe the mental stimulation of the responsibility too. To me, I have a dog that serves both these purposes but also is well capable of taking care of my family. Why own a greyhound unless you will let the dog race? Any owners out there please let me know. I ain’t beating anyone up over this, just curious.
Urban Landscapes and Classic Cars: Visual Delights in Satan in High Heels
Most of this black-and-white movie takes place in a city so, there are a lot of buildings and streets. The apartments and living quarters are high-end. There are cool shots out of high-rise windows that reveal striped sidewalk coverings below. Of course, the streets are lined with classic automobiles. You can read more about the cars in Satan in High Heels here and filming locations here. The opening scene takes place at a carnival which is never a letdown in this decade. You can read my blog on The Mutations here. This movie has the best retro carnival stuff I’ve seen. There is no shortage of cool clothes or culture shocks either. In Biden’s America, $800 will barely pay my mortgage and I’m lucky to have one that low. In 1962 it apparently went a long way.
Final Thoughts on Satan in High Heels
I don’t foresee a rewatch of Satan in High Heels in my near future. All in all, it was a decent film, and I didn’t mind investing the time in it but, it really wasn’t my speed. I expected more of a stronger female devilish type of lead role, and it didn’t meet my standards for this. The lead was conniving but in a more realistic way as opposed to some sci-fi approach which I would have preferred. As usual, I did enjoy my time travels this week via Satan in High Heels. You’re invited to follow my art journey on social media, visit my website, and consider supporting and buying my work here. Peace.