the corpse that got away

Marking a unique chapter in Dollars & Donuts history, The Corpse That Got Away was the first film made without any direct involvement from Daryl Della. Written and directed by Ray Revello for his Super 16mm film class, the short crime film introduced Chris Cairo and Michael Martin to the Dollars & Donuts fold, both making their debuts here.

However, the production was famously cut short when the film stock ran out before shooting could be completed. This abrupt ending left the film unfinished, but the unintentional burning out of the film strip created an evocative and fitting conclusion, amplifying the grindhouse vibe Ray had been aiming for.

At the time, Ray and Daryl weren’t speaking—a rare and brief falling out between the longtime collaborators. Despite this, Ray listed Dollars & Donuts and Daryl as producers in the credits, more as a nod to tradition and their shared history than for any actual contributions to the production. When Daryl eventually saw the film, he was both impressed by what Ray had achieved and moved by the symbolic acknowledgment in the credits—a reminder that their partnership was built to withstand even momentary rifts.

Of course, this wasn’t the end for The Corpse That Got Away. In 2009, Ray and Daryl teamed up to remake the film, reuniting with Chris Cairo for another stab at the story. This new version brought their creative energies back together, a testament to the bonds formed through filmmaking and the enduring spirit of collaboration that has defined the team from the very beginning.