Whenever Baron Samedi (Geoffrey Holder) is onscreen in Live And Let Die (1973), you’re in for something wild.

In the case of the above scene, we get a glimpse into Samedi’s “musical extravaganza” live show, coincidentally at Bond’s (Roger Moore) hotel in San Monique. Surely Bond has no idea what he’s in for at such an establishment? Kananga’s influence and power over the island is obviously everywhere.

You’ve gotta love the announcer’s prominent sideburns and the Samedi intro: “The legendary Baron Samedi, folks! That’s Saturday for those of you who speak French. Voodoo god of cemeteries and chief of the legion of the dead! The man who cannot die! But for our purposes, just a performer in a little musical extravaganza we’ve cooked up for you wonderful people.”

But between Samedi’s crazy laugh and disconcerting face paint, I bet his show would be a hit in the voodoo culture scene. For me, the fire elements and bizarre backup dancers’ dance moves make me feel a bit uncomfortable – in particular the spiderwalk/human swing action at the end of the clip. And Samedi’s gibberish at the end is also a bit harrowing. Yikes!

And whenever I see Samedi look and interact directly with the camera, I always wonder if he’s breaking the fourth wall technically…is he?