Whenever I see photos and video of sleazy downtown New York City and Boston’s Combat Zone, my eyes go straight to the movie theater marquees. What were the pervs of the ’70s lining up to see in the X-rated movie palaces? Did Travis Bickle buy popcorn to see all the amazing films? Many of them advertise three sizzling films. Don’t get me wrong, I have zero fantasy about buying a ticket to take in the action. Judging from numerous stories, the seating section of an adult theater were sticky everywhere. Not sure if the concession stand was ever given a look over by the health inspection. The bathrooms were probably a bit too occupied. There’s the story how in Philadelphia the X-rated Center Theater had someone attacked in the bathroom. Shortly after the police tape came down, the place was renamed The Bruce Lee Center and only showed martial arts films for another year. I’m part of the crowd that was grateful when home video took away the sticky floor experience. Grind House Triple Feature – School of Sexual Arts does bring back the kind of titles you’d see covering a marquee at an adult theater. All three films were made by Shaun Costello around New York City. He admitted that he produced the movies for the Gambino crime family’s film division. You are getting a real New York experience with this triple feature.
Tycoon’s Daughter (1973 – 58:40) takes on the streets of Manhattan to discover that the tycoon’s daughter has been kidnapped. But instead of a tale of her stuck in a horrible apartment, she’ taken into the countryside of Iowa (perhaps Upstate New York) in a convertible car. She’s bound up in the backseat. This was back when cops didn’t pay much attention at women tied up in the backseats of cars. The kidnappers run out of gas and take her to farm where the owners don’t believe in razors. The farmer is more hairy than a sheep in need of shearing. Judy Craven, Jeffrey Hurst, Ashley Moore, Marc Stevens and Mary Stuart perform in the movie. Instead of the usual funky music, some of the scenes feature acoustic blues numbers including one by Mississippi John Hurt. It’s like a really dirty Smithsonian Folkways presentation. I’m going to swear this film inspired Spinal Tap’s “Sex Farm Woman.” There’s got to be a joke about how on this farm, even the hoes getting plowed.
School for the Sexual Arts (1975 – 45:52) is not like a School for the Arts that I attended. The academic action opens on a nude modeling class where the female students are not quite drawing the model as much as things they want to do to the model. The girls in the class agree to set up a final night orgy where they bring their spouses and the male model. The talent includes John Buco, C.J. Laing, Candy Love, Tony Richards, Julia Sorel and Margery Stewart. I’m wondering if this art school has a huge endowment.
Kathy’s Graduation Party (1975 – 53:01) has Kathy (Cedar Houston, Deep Sleep) getting out of high school at the top of her class. During her big party, word gets out that she’s never been on top of a classmate. The focus of the party turns into making sure Kathy doesn’t head off to college as a virgin. How considerate of them. The party guests include Shaun Costello, Jamie Gillis, Nikki Hilton, Jennifer Jordan, Leo Lovemore and the legendary Annie Sprinkle. BTW – everybody in this film looks like they attended high school in the early ’60s.
If you’re curious about what sort of film were playing inside the X-rated theaters in those old New York City photos, Grind House Triple Feature – School of Sexual Arts is a perfect peek at the action. While there are three titles on a single DVD, none of the movies are over an hour. These films give just enough “plot” before starting up the action. They must have been crowd pleasers in the mid-70s. The movies look “good” for venues they played inside. You can enjoy the vintage carnality without fears of anyone creeping up on you…unless a few friends over.
The Video is 1.33:1 full frame. There are scratches on the frame to give you a sense that these prints are running through a projector. The Audio is Dolby Digital 2.0 mono. This probably sounds better than if you saw the films at a theater. You don’t hear any heavy breathers around you.
No bonus features.
After Hours Cinema & Independent Entertainment present Grind House Triple Feature – School of Sexual Arts. Directed by Shaun Costello. Screenplays by Shaun Costello. Starring Judy Craven, Jeffrey Hurst, Annie Sprinkle, Jamie Gillis and Cedar Houston. Three movies on 1 DVD. Rating: X Rated. Release Date: August 11, 2026.
