Severin Review: She Killed in Ecstasy (1971, dir: Jess Franco)

SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY
(1971, dir: Jess Franco)

 Dr. Johnson (Fred Williams, COUNT DRACULA) is a hard working scientist who has it all; his beautiful wife (Soledad Miranda, VAMPYROS LESBOS) a luxurious lifestyle and a potential scientific breakthrough that will revolutionise medicine, That's until his Dr. Huston (Paul Muller, LADY FRANKENSTEIN), Dr. Crawford (Ewa Strömberg, THE DEVIL CAME FROM AKASAVA), Dr. Donen (Jess Franco himself) and Prof. Walker (Howard Vernon, ZOMBIE LAKE) deem his work and his methods to be a crime against nature and a detriment to their own reputations. As a result they shut him down, strip his license and destroy his laboratory, hurting his wife in the process. All of this causes him to go insane. Fearing for her husbands safety, Mrs. Johnson takes him out of the city and the pair take up residency in a beautiful house on a remote island. Unfortunately, there really is trouble in paradise as the shamed doctor's mental health deteriorates leading him to take his own life. Consumed by grief, his beautiful widow has a desire to seek revenge on those responsible for her husband's downfall. She decides to do this in what she considers the cruelest of methods; seduction and cold blooded murder. She doesn't have long to pull it off as she has an inquisitive inspector (Horst Tappert, DERRICK) on the case.

What we have in She Killed in Ecstasy is a genuinely well made erotic thriller inspired by a Gabriel Marcel play Naturally, there is an element of sleaze to be found, but it's much more restrained than some would expect. The film is ultimately somber in tone. It may not be the most complex of stories, but Franco has created something that has real weight to it. Soledad's vengeful widow is genuinely sympathetic and although she carries out horrific acts, you get the sense that she's suffering internally as she is dishing out her gruesome revenge. She may be getting said revenge for her husband, but it's not something that she truly relishes. Not only does she seduce and murder, but in a style not too dissimilar to posthumous execution, she mutilates the genitalia of her male victims. From her genuinely seductive gaze to her portrayal of a woman losing her mind; Soledad's performance is nothing short of extraordinary. Had she not suffered such a terrible fate, her career would have been full of stand out performances like this, I'm sure. Those wanting to appreciate Soledad in an aesthetic sense will adore this film too. Wether she's completely naked or elegantly dressed, you won't be able to take your eyes off her. Of course, Franco regulars like Muller and Vernon put in a good performance too. Although not the bloodiest or goriest of films, the suicide and murders are staged in a somewhat shocking and impactful way. They could have either been too comically over the top or painfully tame, but thankfully that's not the case. To compliment the film, the jazz score provided by Manfred Hübler and Sigi Schwab (VAMPRYOS LESBOS) ranges from fitting the mood perfectly, to being a strange juxtaposition. Not only that, but orchestrated pieces provided / lifted from Bruno Nicolai (99 WOMEN) are used to devastating effect in the scenes involving the grieving widow and wrongly disgraced husband. This could quite possibly be one of Franco's most emotional and piercing films and being at just over 70 minutes long, it's a very easy watch for even the most critical of Franco's work.

  Speaking of which, it's such a shame that Franco was so dismissive of this film and his work, because considering this was just one in a string of swiftly produced films, the level of artistry to be found here is nothing short of mesmerising. From the use of beautiful architecture to the set and costume design, this is a film that proves just how much of an artist Franco really was. Thankfully, the picture and sound quality compliments the film perfectly. Aside from some noticeable dips in quality, there's nothing to complain about in terms of presentation. In terms of extra features, there are interviews with Jess Franco, Paul Muller and Soledead Miranda expert and Stephen Thrower. To top it off there is also the german trailer for the film. A handsome list I think you will agree! This is a must own for both seasoned Franco fans and newcomers alike. In fact, it's probably one of the few accessible Franco films. There's really no excuse for anyone falling under those categories to not add this to their collection.

She Killed in Ecstasy is available on DVD & Blu-Ray from Severin Films.

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Severin Review: Vampyros Lesbos (1970, dir: Jess Franco)

VAMPYROS LESBOS
(1970, dir: Jess Franco)“Psycho-Sexadelic Horror Freakout!”

Young lawyer Linda (Ewa Strömberg, She Killed in Ecstasy) is haunted by an erotic recurring dream involving herself and her lover Omar (Andrea Montchal, Eugenie de Sade). The dream involves herself and Omar enjoying a stage show involving a young and beautiful seductress (Soledad Miranda, Count Dracula). After the show, Linda is beckoned, seduced and killed by the mysterious nubile. Her therapist, Dr. Seward (Dennis Price, Son of Dracula) seems to think that the recurring dream is down to Linda needing a new sexual partner. Fair enough! Unfortunately, there's no time for that as Linda is assigned to visit a woman by the name of Countess Nadine Carody, who has recently inherited property from none other than Count Dracula! Once she has arrived and settled in, it's on to business. Before she can get the Countess's signature and realise who she's dealing with, she is drugged, seduced and then bitten by the bloodthirsty Countess. As if it wasn't bad enough, Linda then finds herself with a case of amnesia and under the care of Dr. Steiner (Paul Muller, Lady Frankenstein). It's her lucky day however, as Steiner is more than just a doctor, he's also a vampire hunter. With the help of the doctor and Omar, Linda must put an end to Countess Carody's bloodthirsty reign. It's not going to be easy, but it sure is going to be bloody!

 
Where do you start with a film like Vampyros Lesbos? Jess Franco is one of my all time favourite directors and even though I find his back catalogue to be very hit and miss (with a filmography that size, it's understandable), I can safely say I enjoyed this greatly. Right off the bat, you can tell this is a Franco film. From the cinematography to the way the action is staged and played out. Some may find his overuse of the zoom to be annoying and the snobs out there will turn the nose up at the occasional out of focus shot, but these tiny things all play in to my compassion for Jess Franco. There's some absolutely gorgeous locations used here and the set design as well as the costumes are second to none. As cheaply made as this film is, Jess definitely has a good eye for style and working around budget constraints. You sometimes find yourself scratching your head when trying to follow the plot of a Franco film, but Franco with the help of Jaime Chávarri (To an Unknown God) and Anne Settimó (Jungle of Fear) have scribed a cohesive, yet abstract enough to stand out feminine retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula, even if Chávarri now distances himself from the film. There's a real sense of atmosphere throughout that often makes the film feel almost dreamlike. The score from Sigi Schwab (The Devil Came From Akasava) and Manfred Hübler (Intercontinental Express) adds to that dreamlike atmosphere, but also ranges from haunting to out right funky. It's up there with one of Franco's best film scores and worth looking in to if you like jazz. The star of the show (both literally and metaphorically) is the Countess herself, Soledad Miranda. All she has to do is look directly in to the camera and the audience is eating out of her hands. Her performance is subtle, yet effective and fundamentally sensual. Right from the first few seconds where she is beckoning the viewer. This is her film. Don't get me wrong, everyone else puts in a good turn for the most part, even Franco himself appears as a somewhat mentally challenged and sleazy island local with his own secret, but the focus is on Miranda, even if this may not be her most demanding role. It's clear that if she hadn't had met her untimely demise, she would have made even greater waves in the film industry. Of course, those looking for bare flesh and blood will be very happy I'm sure as there is a good amount of that thrown in too. That being said, this is more classy than pure schlock or sleaze. A perfect film for the turtleneck wearing Franco fan!

  In terms of sound and picture quality, the film has been beautifully restored and presented here. Of course, being that this is a Franco film and the source material may have not been preserved at the most optimal of levels, there are some focus issues and the sound can get a bit questionable, it shouldn't be an issue at all. Those wanting special features will be very happy in my opinion. There's an interview with Franco himself talking about the film, his relationship with producer Artur Brauner and of course Soledad. Is it just me or is it like watching your granddad telling you stories when you watch a Franco interview? Sticking with Soledad, there's an interview with Amy Brown, founder of the official Soledad Miranda website, that goes in to the life, career and death of Soledad. The final major feature is an interview with Franco scholar Stephen Thrower which gives a bit more insight in to the film. Not only that, but we also get an extra clip of Franco talking about his experience with Stuart Freeborn (Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope)
and his true inspiration behind the look of Yoda, original German opening title sequence and of course, the German trailer. As if that weren’t enough, the film is packaged up with some gorgeous newly-commissioned art from Wes Benscoter. All in all, this is a must own for UK lovers of Jess Franco, Soledad Miranda and of course; Vampyros Lesbos. This would also make a great starting point for newcomers!

Vampyros Lesbos is available on DVD & Blu-Ray from Severin.
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Vinegar Syndrom Drive-In Collection DVD Review: Marsha the Erotic Housewife / For Single Swingers Only / Her Odd Tastes

FOR SINGLE SWINGERS ONLY
(1968)

“The first inside look at what really goes on inside those apartments.”

  The film is introduced by one of our main characters Gracie, a blonde Scandinavian bombshell played by Heide Andersen (in her only starring role). This is her story. Gracie and her friend Gloria, a dark haired, almost tomboyish woman played by Sharon Sanford (also in her only starring role) are looking for a new apartment. I say both, because it's mainly Gloria doing the had work as Gracie is awkwardly cleaning herself in the shower. After much frustration and loose ends, Gloria finds a classified ad for a quiet apartment complex looking for tenants who are single swingers only. After being shown round by a rather curvy, but ultimately unattractive redhead, they decide to move in right away! They make an impression on their neighbours almost instantly,especially a couple of “young” and free guys by the name of Dave and Artie. Not only are their neighbours friendly (in that typical creepy swinger sort of way), but this apartment complex has everything you would ever need, including a sauna and gym that has a strange vibrating platform thingy! Awesome! Needless to say, this place sure has seen some action over the years! With two new tenants moving in, the action sure does continue. Could this be a care free sexual haven for the young girls or is there something a bit more sinister and sordid going on?

What can I say about this one? There's bad hair, kitschy fashion and a lot more plush animals than I was expecting. Don't worry, there's plenty of ladies showering and innocent nudity. You get a nice dose of boobs and bum, but there's no intimate lady parts on display I'm afraid. There are even instances where female genitalia is blocked by awkwardly hanging towels and props. Closest thing to a close up is of a nice pair of white undies. Yep, so sexy! You also get some peeping toms, scuzzy guys who look much older than I think intended, some hints of lesbian action and damn fine awkwardly staged soft-core sex. Clumsy is THE word with this film actually. This isn't a great actors film by any means and even though Andersen seems genuinely Scandinavian, her accent sometimes sounds like a bad impression. Overall, this is a cheap and quickly shot film. It's quirky enough I guess, but I found the film overly long and quite dull. I will give it brownie points for one of the strangest and final thirds in cinema I have seen as well as an actually almost sinister ending.

HER ODD TASTES
(1969)
“A Bizarre and Intimate Journey for Adventurous Adults”

Marsha Jordan (The Golden Box) stars as Chris, a woman whose life is far from from dull! When she's not giving herself neck massages with vibrators, she likes to divulge in a tiny bit of incest with her sister Lisa, played by Capri (Executive Wives). One night as she's having some sisterly fun, Chris decides that she needs to move on. Naturally, she takes the step of becoming a vibrator saleswoman. Her work takes her to many places, but employment comes to an abrupt end when one of her demonstrations becomes fatal! Thankfully, help is only a car ride away and she befriends a publisher by the name of John, played by Michael Perrotta (The Idolmaker). After cleaning up the crime scene for Chris, he returns with the journal of her recently deceased lover. Turns out he was a sex researcher (where was that degree when I was studying at university!?) who was travelling around the world researching pain and pleasure. John offers to publish the journal if Chris carries on his research. So after a bit of fireside nookie and yet more vibrator neck massages, her journey begins. She starts by traveling to Hong Kong to find a prostitute mentioned in the journal, unfortunately for Chris, she is long gone. Thankfully, she befriends a Madam and gets a proper massage, with a happy ending of course! She then travels to South Africa and gets tricked in to a Satanic sex ritual (I hate getting tricked like that). After they've done with her, she gets dumped in the hearts of the jungle. She is saved by a hunter and his son and after causing some family rifts (the fatal kind) she ends her travels by visiting Tunisia to get oiled up with a Sheik. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!

Who would have thought incest, murder, rape, Satanism and sleazy globe trotting (of the stock footage type) could be so dull? This effort plodded on at a pace a snail would scoff at. Sure, there's a mixed array of sexual situations, but again, they're executed so clumsily and are about as attractive as a gallery of Susan Boyle nudes. Not even the unintentional comedy of the stock footage and clearly American landscape disguised as an African jungle could keep me entertained with this one. On a personal note, Marsha Jordan reminded me of a Russ Meyer styled mature Barbara Windsor, yep. All in all, this was just a very dull film when it shouldn't have been. Not a fan at all I'm afraid!

MARSHA THE EROTIC HOUSEWIFE
(1970)
“She does what she LOVES...and she LOVES what she does”

Marsha Jordan returns as Marsha, who has recently just married a chap named Gerry, played by Edward Blessington (Cuba Crossing). Things are going wonderfully for the couple, until good old Gerry decides to play away with a young redhead by the name of Natalie, played by Luanne Roberts (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot). The pair met had their first 'encounter' whilst Gerry and Marsha were enjoying their belated honeymoon. Although initially unaware, Marsha discovers Gerry's skeezy little secret and just what kind of man he really is. Understandably heartbroken and angry, Marsha decides to take the ULTIMATE revenge by not abusing Gerry's upcoming pay rise, but also bedding any man she can lay her hands on. Things come to a head at a neighbour's house party and Gerry is confronted not only by Marsha but her own secret. Is fighting fire with fire the answer? Will their relationship continue? WHAT ABOUT THE BABY!?

Overall, this is the most 'accomplished' film of the three. That being said, it's also in some respects, the dullest. If you are looking here for some good old soft-core kicks, be warned that this is more of a straight faced morality melodrama than anything else. There is some well placed humour injected throughout and the dialogue is strong compared to the previous films, but it's still scraping the bottom of the barrel on the enjoyability scale. There's nothing I can really say that I haven't said before. If you are a fan of late 60's and early sexploitation (pretty much films Something Weird would have released) then these are interesting enough pieces. I just didn't find these films entertaining at all. I wasn't expecting high class or top drawer artistry, but this was just quite vanilla and uneventful. These are cheap drive in films that I could only recommend to completists of the genre. I've never really been a big fan of these types of films and early roughies (you know the kind), but I will continue to try when they become available.

In terms of the release itself, the films are presented fairly well. The prints were clearly in bad condition as all films contain evidence of print and sound damage, but once again, Vinegar Syndrome have done as good as a job as can be done with what materials they had to use. I can't compare the prints to previous Something Weird releases, but this is the best you will probably ever see these films look. There are no extras on disc, but you are getting three films for a great price. Like I said, I can't really recommend this release to everyone. If you love this sort of thing, this is a must own. If you're getting in to this sorta cheesecake beehive hairstyle sexploitation cinema (I may trademark that), then maybe watch some of the genuine classics before picking this up. Sorry Ms. Jordan, you have wonderful breasts, but this really didn't do anything for me or Peter Junior!

This release is available directly through Vinegar Syndrome as well as your favourite online retailers.
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