What Have You Done to Solange? (1972)

Movie Info

A murder most foul?

The murder of a student at a English college has brought Henry Rosseni (Fabio Testi) into the murder investigation when his mistress and student Elizabeth Seccles (Cristina Galbo) catches a glimpse of the murderer while out with Rosseni. Henry and his wife Herta (Karin Baal) realize the danger is growing as more murders occur…and it could be tied to a mysterious girl named Solange Beauregard (Camille Keaton).

Directed by Massimo Dallamano, What Have You Done to Solange? (Cosa avete fatto a Solange?) is an Italian giallo horror mystery. The film is the first film in Dallamano’s Schoolgirls in Peril trilogy which was followed by Dallamano’s What Have They Done to Your Daughters? (1974) and Rings of Fear (1978) which Dallamano wrote.

Yep…nothing good ever happens to women in these movies

Giallos are odd films. Part horror, part slasher, and part detective movie, the films are an odd but distinctive blend that make them a genre of their own. What Have You Done to Solange? has many of the elements you’d expect from a giallo and is a nice entry in the genre.

The story has odd twists. You have characters you think are main characters being killed suddenly and characters who seem like “villain” characters becoming heroes. The main thrust of the film (aka Solange) is barely in the film and revealed to be the what the plot hinges on rather far into the movie…which of course leads to a weird screwed up prostitution ring. It is somewhat predictable within the genre and by today’s standards, but it still is a fun ride.

For American viewers, the cast isn’t very distinctive. The largely European cast is strong and had prolific careers, but they were largely overseas. The title character “Solange” is played by Camille Keaton who later went on to her own controversial slasher-revenge film I Spit on Your Grave (1978).

Camille Keaton…how do you keep getting in these situations?

There are some very graphic scenes in the movie, but in comparison to some other giallos, the movie isn’t as gory as it could be. The murders of the women are gruesome (particularly the first victim), but not as much is shown as in a modern slasher movie which helps ratchet up the horror of what is shown.

What Have You Done to Solange? is a relatively quick thriller. The movie keeps moving at a rapid pace and changes directions enough to keep the plot spinning in ways you wouldn’t expect. It is interesting to look at some of these movies in the post-#MeToo movement time period because they are both exploitive (the women are generally victims), but they also have an odd sense of strength and will at points that stands out from a damsel in distress that just “needs to be saved” by a strong leading man. What Have You Done to Solange? was followed by What Have They Done to Your Daughters? in 1974 which carried on some of the themes of the film.

Related Links:

Rings of Fear (1978)