Vinegar Syndrome has quickly become the savior of Times Square cinema in the last year. They’ve lovingly preserved quite a few of the films that played in the best skanky theater that once dominated the Big Apple back in the ’70s. Sure other video distributors have put out the adults only action. But most of those transfers were second rate low resolution transfers of ravaged 16mm prints. Vinegar Syndrome has been able to put out versions that look better than when the raincoat crowd saw the premieres. For January, the company is putting out four releases that will turn any home entertainment system into a Pussycat Cinema.
Peekarama: Abduction of an American Playgirl and Winter Heat is a double feature of classic roughies. These aren’t the films that Travis Bickle took a date to see. These aren’t about romance and seduction. Abduction of an American Playgirls (1975 – 71 minutes) has two guys grab a woman walking home with her groceries. They end up hooking up with her. She gets rather wild so that the finale scene has new characters drop by her house. There’s a strange bit of slapstick and speeding up the film to dilute the harsh plot. The bonus feature is a trailer. Winter Heat (1976 – 70 minutes) is another entry in Jamie Gillis. Jaime, his wife and a couple ex-con pals are roaming around a winter wonderland. They force their way into a cabin with two women inside. Gillis is a monster in the film. His oatmeal scene is really disturbing in a Killer Joe way. Later he uses his belt as a leash on one of the women in the cabin. Luckily there’s a happy ending twist to the action to keep it from being uncomfortable.
Evil Come Evil Go, Oh! You Beautiful “Doll” & Widow Blue are a trio of Walt Davis’ films. While it’s hard to find a good biography on Davis, he made quite a few skin flicks in the ’70s. This retrospective contains his films show a violent edge to his extreme exploitation vision. Evil Come Evil Go (1972 – 73 minutes) brings a Bible thumping woman to the decadent streets of Los Angeles. She has a strange way of saving souls. She wants to rid the world of wicked men. Widow Blue (1970 – 78 minutes) is an extremely twisted affair. The carnality includes all combinations of partners. The film mixes the action with extreme violence. The big finale is extremely bloody and disturbing. Who is This is the kind of film that inspires viewers to wonder, who took a date to see this? This is not meant to put anyone in the mood even with John Holmes part of the cast.Oh! You Beautiful “Doll” (1974 – 60 minutes) has a washed up star teaching young men how to break into the business. The film has a strange John Waters vibe to it. This retrospective appears to make a case that Davis ought to receive the same attention as other cult directors from the ’70s. There’s trailers and outtakes from Widow Blue.
Drive-In Collection: Judy & The Night Hustlers puts sex and death in the same films. Judy (1969 – 75 minutes) is about a detective investigating murders of hookers in Boston’s notorious combat zone. There’s not much exterior footage of the notorious adults only neighborhood. The outside footage is of woods probably near the remote house that served as the set. Most of the sets are bedrooms with wood paneling. This isn’t quite the sequel to The Friends of Eddie Coyle. But it’s interesting to see how they worked the murders into the adult fun. The Night Hustlers (1968 – 57 minutes) lets a bunch of vice cops recount their favorite cases. While made in Florida, this is not the precursor to Miami Vice. There’s a wild orgy complete with hippie posters on the wall. The huge hair on one of the actresses makes this look like it was supposed to be a country music film. It’s a rather tame affair made for a crowd that was excited by a little extra skin on the screen. The bonus features include producer Bob Chinn talking about Walt Davis.
Wakefield Poole’s Bible must have confused a few adult theater owners with a film that brings the books of the Bible to the big screen. Except these aren’t the versions illustrated by televangelists. This are Bible stories that let you know Adam, Eve, Bath Sheba and Delilah in a Biblical sense. There’s an artistic edge to the action since it lacks dialogue. This is all done in a silent film style with a fine symphonic score to heighten the action. It helps to know the Bible stories before watching the film. Wakefield’s really did make a film that brings together an arty edge with religious texts. You still can’t show this to your Holy Roller relatives instead of 700 Club. Vinegar Syndrome has gone all out with the bonus features. Wakefield does both an introduction and a commentary track. Stars Georgina Selvin and Gloria Grant are interviewed. There’s screen tests, costume and effects tests along with a large still gallery.
