21

FRIDAY

With dynamic cinematography and over-the-top action sequences, Italian cult-horror director Mario Bava’s 1968 film Danger: Diabolik delightfully captures the tongue-in-cheek feel of the European comic book that inspired it. John Phillip Law stars as criminal mastermind Diabolik, who, aided by hi-tech gadgetry and ludicrous disguises, manages to elude his bumbling captors while pilfering countless millions from directly under their noses. But when the local authorities team up with the Mob to set a trap for the cunning superthief and his luscious partner-in-crime girlfriend, will Diabolik interrupt his busy lovemaking schedule to take the bait? Or will he squeeze into his skintight designer rubber suit and pull off the biggest heist of them all? Danger: Diabolik’s campy dialogue, barely cohesive story line, and Morricone soundtrack make for B-movie filmmaking at its finest. And in addition to winning numerous references in Roman Coppola’s CQ, the film earned the coveted spot of final subject of ridicule on the last episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Go deep, deep down with the world’s most diabolical antihero at 7 p.m. at the Library of Congress’ Pickford Theater, 101 Independence Ave. SE. Free. (202) 707-5677. (Matthew Borlik)