At first glance, Eve’s Necklace defies preconceptions. Dare I say this tact was intentional.

After all, these filmmakers are relying on mannequins, with actor overdubs, to not only carry the show, but to keep the plot on pace. It is an interesting film for the discerning eye. It doesn’t travel the road to predictability.

No, this isn’t a knock-off of the Andrew McCarthy, Kim Cattrall vehicle “Mannequin,” a sometimes cute, more often forgettable yarn of celluloid now boiling in its own vinegar that was popular when a mullet hairstyle meant business. McCarthy had some kind of Brat Pack appeal back in the day.

Cattrall? She’s in a little ditty called “Sex in the City,” a TV show turned movie series that kinda flies under the radar. To this day, I don’t think anyone has ever heard of it.

But of course, Cattrall remains beautiful — just like Morgan Fairchild.

Yeah, that’s the ticket… Except to say our ingénue in this little play has an enduring quality that could outlast us all, under the right environmental conditions. Amazingly, they looked the world over for the hottest mannequin on the planet.

Eve’s Necklace has a playful feel with a surprise ending — that begs a question that should have been answered more than a decade ago when writer, director and producer Daniel Erickson proved, along with his trustee sidekick, David Lane Smith, that this dynamic duo can make films. Their award-winning collaboration, “Mr. Pumpkin,” deserves the status of cult-classic, and I predict, with an adequate digital dub, it will reach that lofty goal.

Smith is one of Austin’s foremost film buff/historians. Having known him for nearly 40 years, I think he is Texas treasure — a fountain of information free to all who seek his vast, vast knowledge. Erickson has ample natural talent, but is smart enough to seek someone like David Lane Smith that offers the perspective that can only be earned the hard way — through time and study.

Together, they are a seamless duo.

Eve’s Necklace makes delightful fun at itself, without dragging the gag on too long. Thanks to this well-considered strategy, “Eve” hits all cylinders. Mr. Erickson has a knack for spinning a good, but unpredictable yarn.

It is worth a watch, so keep an eye out if it shows up at one of The Alamo Theaters locally. It is very funny a times and the ending is creative — but hang in there for the middle of the movie, when it tends to drag just a little bit. Anyone who follows my reviews know that I don’t make recommendations lightly, not even for friends, but Eve’s Necklace has my endorsement.

Harry Knowles, who takes his film a bit more seriously than I do, says, “Essentially, it is a thriller filled with sexual undertones and overtones. It is violent, in so far as Mannequins can be violent, and they can. It’s oddly fetishistically sexual in many ways — but it is a fascinating experiment gone right.”
Knowles is dead on.

And while my expertise is really in music and theater, for me, this film, which they managed to make for about $10,000, begs the question: “Can they make a feature film that can be a big hit?”

The answer is yes. And while Eve’s Necklace is witty and has a good plot, most of all, the filmmakers prove they have the chops to make great films. Oh yes, and they can live within a budget… to put it mildly. It starts with Erickson’s solid vision and his well-developed sense of style.

Erickson is clearly a gifted writer and visonary, and Eve’s Necklace has won some pretty lofty praise. Earlier this year, it was shown at the legednary he Egyptian Theatre, which hosted the Los Angeles premiere of Eve’s Necklace.

“This noir thriller is the only feature film ever made with a cast composed solely of store-front mannequins, and it’s received widespread critical praise,” Goldstar.com said.

And Erickson and friends have a good thing going.

In addition to David Lane Smith, Erickson was able to coax actors like Veronica Erickson, John Hawkes, Janet Hurley Kimlicko, Zane Rockenbaugh, Kevin Simon, Johnny Coleman Walker, and my personal favorite — Cyndi Williams — to do the voices. It’s all kinda like a futuristic version of the Mercury Players.

And as odd as it all sounds — the film works. These guys have talent. They have worked hard, and I think it is high time someone gave Erickson and his cohorts to the test.

But those who can make such decisions will get their chance yet again. Eve’s Necklace will play at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada, which takes place between July 8-28. Thus far, showings will be July 17 at 9:45 p.m. at the J.A. De Seve Theater. Another showing in the same place is July 19 at 3:10 p.m.

Find out more at by emailing Erickson at or Nora Mata, ericksonfilms.nora@hotmail.com, http://www.themannequinmovie.com