Vinegar Syndrome Review: Trashy Lady (1985, Steve Scott)

  (1985, dir: Steve Scott)

Dutch (Harry Reems, Deep Throat) has it all! He's the money, the looks, a happening nightclub called “The Paradise Club”, the reputation and of course; the girl. That is until his girl Jessie (Cara Lott, Taboo 2) has had enough of his attitude and lack of appreciation. Fortunately for Dutch However, a new dame isn't hard to find especially in your own club! On the same night of his split, Dutch sets his sights on the young Katharine (Ginger Lynn, New Wave Hookers), a new girl in town who sells cigarettes at the club. He soon finds out that Katherine (whom he decides to call Kitty) is a little too innocent, timid and ultimately a tad inexperienced. This leads him to reach out to the tough talking Rita (Amber Lynn, Love Bites) who he enlists to loosen up and teach Kitty a few things and hopefully turn her in to a trashy lady. She is more than happy to oblige and begins to school the impressionable Kitty, who of course is a quick learner and a natural. Unfortunately for all involved however, there's a potentially fatal problem; rival gangster Louie (Herschel Savage, Debbie Does Dallas) is Rita's man. He is soon to be released from prison and he may not be too pleased that his girl is playing for (or should that be with?) the other side. Maybe Dutch should have treated his girl a little better?

I remember seeing a trailer for Trashy Lady on one of the many trailer compilations a while back and being quite apprehensive about an adult film shot towards the end of the genre's golden age that was set around the 1920's. Boy was the younger (and slightly less corrupted.) version of me very wrong. Of course, when I found out that the film was not only shot on 35mm, but was also going to get the Vinegar Syndrome treatment, I became very excited. Thankfully, the film lives up to its award-winning and cult reputation. The story is simple, yet solidly told and has gags that genuinely work. Performances are great throughout with the foul-mouthed Rita being my personal favourite. She's trashy, independent and comes out with some fantastic lines. Of course, the bigger names likes Reems, Lynn and Savage once again prove that there was acting skill back in the day. They are backed up brilliantly with much smaller support roles with performances from the likes of Tom Byron (Lust in the Fast Lane) and Rick Savage (Hollywood Vice). To match the acting, the action is also very solid with of course, Amber and Ginger stealing the show.

The biggest thing people will notice is just how cinematic the film is. Ok, Once Upon a Time in America this is not, but for a film that was shot in two weeks, there is so much scope and attention to detail. This isn't one of these cheap looking period pieces. Right from the films opening credits sequence, you know you're in for a treat! Everything from the set design and costumes to the prop newspapers and vehicles look authentic. Even the selection of music throughout is clearly thought out. That being said, some of the interior scenes also give off that “new-romantic” vibe of the time which add another layer to this already stylish piece of sinema. Overall, Trashy Lady is one of the last true greats of the genre in almost every aspect. Not only that, but it does something that films like this often don't; it has plenty of replay value and you won't be fast-forwarding through boring set pieces. Naturally, a film of this calibre has received an equally impressive treatment from Vinegar Syndrome.

First of all there is the choice of reversible artwork which only has one problem; both covers are fantastic so good luck picking which one to use! On disc there is not one, but two commentary tracks; one with DP Tom Howard (A Portrait of Desire) and David McCabe (Creepozoids) with the other coming from Herschel Savage and Bill Margold (Dracula Sucks). Both are informative and entertaining in their own way. To top off this fantastic release there is also Steve Scott's 1971 debut feature; Coming West. Unfortunately, aside from the gorgeous Maria Arnold (Flesh Gordon), Sandy Carey (Deep Jaws) and Starlyn Simone (A Touch of Sweden), I found this tale of three women daydreaming whilst on a rod trip to be a tad dull. Oh well, at least there's a lot early hardcore nookie I suppose! Honestly, it's still great to see early hardcore efforts like this being preserved and becoming easily available to my fellow sleaze-hounds. It's still a wonderful addition and the icing on an already elegantly trashy cake (it's much better than my attempts at wit, that's for sure!) As you can probably tell, this is a must-own release for anyone with an interest in the genre and also a great release for those who still don't think there was artistry in pornography.

Trashy Lady is available as a DVD & Blu-Ray combo from Vinegar Syndrome.

PDx

Dr. Alien (1989)

"She has the cure for growing pains..."
There comes a time in every boys life where they experience the problem this piece of educational film making covers. That moment where all of a sudden your hormones, the testosterone completely takes over and next thing you know, you are beating the women off left right and centre. OK that is completely bullshit and that has nothing to do with this film but I needed your attention. Sit down and shut up because class is in session!

Dr. Alien is another film by prolific cheese director David DeCoteau from 1989. What we have in this fine effort is a teen comedy in which a socially awkward, intelligent teenage boy gets wrapped up in an intergalactic breeding plot when his biology teacher has an accident and his replacement is a stunner of an alien (would a female alien technically be called alienne?) who is trying to secure the future of her planet. The experiment makes our likable lead become a pussy magnet with a rather nasty looking fleshy antenna on his head.... so damn hot! As he's beating the women off with a stick (not literally, it's not one of those movies... sicko!) his heart is for one girl only and boy is she a cutie! No big twists or turns in this one folks!



Because I am good to you sleazehounds out there, let's get the main reason you are going to buy this film out of the way first, the women! Oh yes gentlemen (and ladies of course) we have a fine display of treats on offer! The big names I was glad to see where of course Linnea Quigley and even better, Ginger Lynne! Of course I have to mention Judy Landers who plays our teacher and last but by no means least, my personal favourite of the film, Olivia Barash who plays as the adorable love interest. Of course this film is littered in pure, unadulterated female nudity so if that's your thing then this a perfect film for you!

This film has more than just eye candy though. Our main guy is a genuinely likable chap even when he lets his new found sex appeal get to his head (literally... I'm hilarious!). You genuinely root for him when he gets mobbed by gangs of nubile young things and you want him to get the girl at the same time. It's a genuinely funny film which like most films of this type and era, don't take themselves too seriously. There is a never a dull moment and that's what I really enjoyed most about this one, especially when you look at modern teen comedies which are just crude, unfunny pieces of crap.

The story is nice and simple and the characters are all a joy to watch. You get a real sense that this was a fun film to make and there's something about films from the 80's in high schools and colleges that just appeal to me. The film has many memorable moments including the various dreams our stud has, the awesome gig scene towards the end of the film, a rather fun scene that involves a mobbing in the girls showers and a great climax. Of course, the film is littered with gems and it would do a great injustice to just tell you and not experience it for yourself.

Overall I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves a good cheesy ride... and of course bodacious boobs by the spacecraft load. If you are looking for that outlandish strong stinking bishop style cheese however, you might not fully get that experience but I'm sure you connoisseurs out there know this already. Once again 88 Films have put a great package with the trailers, reversible artwork and of course the bonus film which in this case is a rather interesting oddity from the early 1970's called Auditions which is kinda like a 70's version of a porno casting couch video... only the wannabe stars don't get humiliated by the redneck behind the camera!

Had to end on a high note!

PDx