La Casa dalle finestre che ridono (The House with Laughing Windows)

I find Pupi Avati's La Casa dalle finestre che ridono one of the most creepy and unsettling gialli ever made. Unfortunately Avati didn't make any more films in the genre, but at least he can claim to have directed one bonafied classic. He went on to direct some excellent horror films as well, like Zeder and L'Arcano incantatore (which is crying out for a DVD release). Poster by Piero Ermanno Iaia

Giornata nera per l'ariete (The Fifth Cord)

I find Luigi Bazzoni's The Fifth Cord from 1971 one of the most beautiful films of the genre. Shot by Vittorio Storaro (who also shot The Bird with the Crystal Plumage and 'Tis Pity She's a Whore the same year), almost every frame of the film look good enough to be hung in an art gallery. Franco Nero is great as the alcoholic protagonist and the film features a wonderfully creepy soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. Poster design by Piero Ermanno Iaia