Ellie Masters (the beautiful Melody Patterson of F Troop fame) is sent to an orphanage after her prostitute mother, Edna (Louise Sherrill) is beaten to death with a hammer along with her client while they are asleep in bed.
The isolated orphanage is run by Mrs Deere (Gloria Grahame) and her handyman, Tom (Len Lesser) – brutal sadists who run the orphanage like a concentration camp, killing the orphans and keeping them in a freezer to trot out when social worker Harold Mullins (Milton Selzer) visits.
Ellie escapes from the orphanage only to be tracked down and brought back by Detective Calvin Carruthers (Vic Tayback) who takes a strong interest in her – which definitely goes above and beyond the call of duty.
A sub-plot sees Ellie competing for the attention of young stud Walter (Ron Taft) with 16-year-old strumpet, Bunch (Terri Messina).
Meanwhile, a mysterious man in a mask is stalking Ellie.
Although largely slated by critics upon its release, Blood and Lace developed a cult following through its regular showings on drive-in bills, and through television syndication in the late 1970s.
Ellie Masters
Melody Patterson
Mrs Deere
Gloria Grahame
Harold Mullins
Milton Selzer
Tom Kredge
Len Lesser
Calvin Carruthers
Vic Tayback
Bunch
Terri Messina
Walter
Ron Taft
Pete
Dennis Christopher
Ernest
Peter Armstrong
Jennifer
Maggie Corey
Nurse
Mary Strawberry
Edna Masters
Louise Sherrill
Director
Philip Gilbert
