6/20/03
Dr. Jekyll & Mistress
Hyde Special Edition Double DVD. (2003. USA. Seduction Cinema. Directed
by Tony Marsiglia. Cast: Misty Mundae, Ruby LaRocca, and Julian Wells.
Fullscreen. Stereo. 83 minutes. Extras: Behind the scenes featurette,
video interviews with Misty Mundae and Julian Wells, trailer, and CD of
the soundtrack).
I think this movie needed a better title than Dr. Jekyll & Mistress
Hyde. Unfortunately, it sounds as if it’s another Seduction Cinema
sex/spoof. When, in fact, the film is more a homage to David Lynch’s
Mulholland Dr.. Doctor Jackie Stevenson (Julian Wells) is working
to prove that all women have both an innocent side and one of pure sexual
desire. As part of her experiments, she’s developed a serum that
turns women into insatiable sexual beings. Obviously it’s not ready
for human testing, but that doesn’t stop her. Jackie gives one patient,
Martine (Misty Mundae) a dose. At first, all seems fine, but ultimately,
it leads to insanity. I guess Jackie felt guilty, since she decided her
next human guinea pig would be herself. After taking the needle, she becomes
her alter ego (resulting in even her own husband not recognizing her).
As her alter ego, she takes the name Heidi and she’s on the prowl
for sexual activity. It doesn’t take long for her to find a streetwalker
(again Misty Mundae). This is when reality/fantasy begins to get blurred.
What is real or imagined? Who is sane or insane? This is why this movie
is so intriguing. Unlike most shot on video movies, this has style, atmosphere,
a powerful soundtrack, and, more importantly, forces the viewer to actually
think. There’s a lot going on in Dr. Jekyll & Mistress Hyde
and even when it comes to its surprise ending, with the maid (Ruby LaRocca)
having a pivotal part, one is not exactly sure how we all got there. Great
performances from Julian Wells, Misty Mundae, and Ruby LaRocca. As usual
with these three ladies, the sex scenes sizzle--but, more importantly,
the trio proves they can handle the complexity of this story. Impressive
extras, especially the behind the scenes featurette. It’s a fun peak
into the world of low budget filmmaking, as most of the time is spent
following Misty Mundae and Ruby LaRocca arriving in Los Angeles, working,
and being tourists. Surprisingly enough, this featurette is only a couple
of minutes shorter than the entire movie. If Dr. Jekyll & Mistress
Hyde sounds interesting to you, I suggest you act fast and buy the
limited edition set. It comes with a bonus CD of the soundtrack. Much
of the music was obviously inspired by Angelo Badalamenti’s score
for Mulholland Dr.. There’s even a cute pop song, “Something’s
Come Over You,” which is similar to the use of “I’ve Told
Every Little Star” in Mulholland Dr.. This is a very creative
piece of work. Yeah, there’s enough steamy sex to appease old fans
of Seduction Cinema, but, more importantly, there are very positive changes
afoot for this New Jersey based production company. In the past year,
we’ve seen some impressive releases from Seduction Cinema, such as
Lord Of The G-Strings, Mummy’s Kiss, and stunning remakes
of Roxanna and most importantly Lustful Addiction. There
are some gifted people with some sense of vision working at EI these days.
As good as Dr. Jekyll & Mistress Hyde is, I’m antsy to
see what lies ahead.
Lord Of The Strings (2003. USA. Forest Street/EI. Directed by Terry
M. West. Cast: Misty Mundae, A.J. Kahn, Darian Caine, Barbara Joyce, and
Michael R. Thomas. Fullframe. Stereo. 72 minutes. Extras: music video
and trailers). A few weeks ago, I raved on how brilliant Terry M.
West sexy spoof of The Lord Of The Rings, The Lord Of The-G
Strings (Seduction Cinema) was and how I felt it would still work
minus a lot of the nudity/sex scenes. Well, I finally got to see the “R”
release of the film and it’s true, the film is still hilarious. The
cast, especially Michael R. Thomas, as the always drunk Smirnof and everyone’s
fave actress Misty Mundae, as Dildo Saggins, are superb. Misty, along
with two fellow Throbbits from Diddle Earth are on quest to destroy the
powerful G-String. If this sounds silly, don’t worry, it’s really
not. A lot of detail went into this screenplay, to make it an ultimate
sex spoof. Now, while much of the sex was edited away (with added footage
replacing it), don’t get the idea this is “kiddie fair.”
No, there’s still lots of nudity and the humor is very adult. It
just moves at a faster pace. Now, having praised this, I do believe I
prefer the original Lord Of The G-Strings. Maybe it’s because
I saw that version first, but I don’t mind it slowing down for extended
sexual encounters. Either way, it certainly works. I have a feeling this
edited version will soon find its way onto Cinemax.
Mind Snatchers (1972. USA. Image. Directed by Bernard Girard. Cast:
Christopher Walken, Ronny Cox, and Ralph Meeker. 1.66:1 widescreen. Mono.
93 minutes. Extras: Trailers, TV spots, and alternate title sequence).
Based on the play, The Happiness Cage, The Mind Snatchers
is a eerie, claustrophobic little science fiction/horror tale. Not great,
mind you, but certainly worth seeing. Private James Reese (Christopher
Walken in a very early role) is a whacked out, violent soldier stationed
in Europe. He’s absolutely bonkers--ready to fight anyone, able to
take pain, and, yet, somewhat mystical in thinking. Arrested by MPs, who
accidentally break his arm, he thinks he’s going to be taken to jail.
Instead, he’s off to a huge mansion, now being used as a hospital.
Weird thing is, there are only two other patients there. Turns out this
isn’t a normal hospital, but a place where anti-social soldiers are
“forced to volunteer” for brain control experiments. Some might
have a problem with the way this film is shot. Besides being based on
a play, much of it looks like it was done for theater, not the silver
screen. Many of the sets have a “stagey” look and the dialogue
is wordier than most films. Likewise, much of the action is implied rather
than shown. Still, The Mind Snatchers is a creepy look at how our
government is probably all too willing to make everyone be the same. Christopher
Walken fans should pick this up, as he does an excellent job in the lead
role. Some scratches remain in the print, but, overall, this looks fine.
Olga’s House Of Shame/Olga’s Dance Hall Girls/White Slaves
Of Chinatown Triple Feature (USA. Something Weird/Image. Olga’s
House Of Shame 1964. Directed by Joseph P. Mawra. Cast: Audrey Campbell,
Alice Davis, W.B. Parker, & Ella Daphne. Fullscreen. Mono. 69 minutes.
Olga’s Dance Hall Girls 1966. Directed by “Who Knows?”.
Cast: Lucy Eldredge, Hattie Felder, Larry Hunter, and Moia Gifford. Fullscreen.
Mono. 59 minutes. White Slaves Of Chinatown 1964. Directed by Joseph
P. Mawra. Cast: Audrey Campbell, Maraina Abbie, Gigi Darlene, Miss Chinatown,
and George Weiss. Fullscreen. Mono. 70 minutes. Extras: Olgra trailers
for the entire Olga Series, Olga sequence from Mondo Oscenita featuring
rare footage from the “lost” Olga’s Massage Parlor,
special booklet with interview with Olga star Audrey Campbell, a pre-Olga
Audrey Campbell poses for Byron Mabe in the nudie cutie shortie Audrey
Campbell, Art Lover, and Sexploitation art gallery.). Grindhouse
fans rejoice, Olga has come to the digital age. Something Weird has been
responsible for releasing some of the most twisted, sleazy grindhouse/horror
films ever shot--from obscure flicks such as Axe to the more well
known H.G. Lewis “blood trilogy” and Frank Henenlotter’s
Basket Case. Now, fans can easily pick up three sordid Olga classics
on one DVD. Yes, these movies were originally so short, three could be
included on one disc. Plus, as we’ve come to expect, there’s
a whole slew of extras. Before we dive into these movies, a few things
we have to point out. This isn’t the Olga trilogy featuring Audrey
Campbell. She does star in White Slaves Of Chinatown and Olga’s
House Of Shame. Missing is Olga’s Girls, which will be
coming out at a future date on Synapse. Instead we get Olga’s
Dance Hall Girls, with the impressive Lucy Eldredge taking over the
lead role. The other thing is, Something Weird has decided to feature
these films not in chronological order. I’m going to review them
as they appear on this disc, not the way they were screened at 42nd. Street.
The real order is White Slaves Of Chinatown, Olga’s House
Of Shame, and Olga’s Dance Hall Girls. Considering how
rare prints for these must be, all three films look fine and the audio
is decent. Now, on with the show:
Olga’s House Of Shame (1964). This was the third and final
film Audrey Campbell did as Olga. She’s now moved her base of operations
to a more rural upper New York state. The setting might be more tranquil,
but Olga is not ready to settle down to a “country lifestyle.”
No, she’s still teaching women how to become drug dealers or hookers
in order to keep her sadistic empire running. When they don’t abide
by her rules, she has a variety of ways to punish them. How about branding
irons or homemade electric chairs? One girl, Elaine escapes only to be
captured and then put through some brutal torture. We get to see others
being abused as well. In fact, when Olga isn’t trying to figure out
how to increase revenue, she can usually be found humiliating those who
don’t like to follow orders. But, there’s something about Elaine
which must intrigue her. Her mission is to break her down and convince
her to be one of her main officers--maybe even taking over the whole business.
Does she succeed? Well, I won’t spoil it for anyone. Like the other
Olga films, this mixes a lot of narration with occasional dialogue.
Olga’s Dance Hall Girls (1966). Wow, no one took a director’s
credit for this! What does that say about this Olga film? For one thing,
apparently many 42nd. Street fans and critics didn’t want to know
about this one. After all, Audrey Campbell was gone. Well, I was certainly
impressed with Lucy Eldredge as Olga. While it might not have much substance
(the plot is certainly aimed at the more simple minded deuce patrons),
it does retain its seediness. Under the guise of a legit dance school,
Olga and her partner Nick (although sometimes he’s accidentally called
“Vince” and it was never fixed) seek out bored housewives to
be hostesses at private parties. Obviously, what Olga really wants are
these wives to turn a few tricks. Although there’s too much time
wasted on ladies trying to teach dorks how to dance, we do get some primo
orgy moments--with nudity. There’s actually a nice psychedelic feeling
to Olga’s Dance All Girls--thanks to the opening scene and
some jazzy, acid tinted, easy listening music. Maybe not as great as the
original trilogy, but still Olga’s Dance Hall Girls should
appeal to anyone whose interested in slimey sixties sex flicks.
White Slaves Of Chinatown (1964). Ah, the debut of Olga. This one
got the series off to a great start. Set in Chinatown in New York would
be cool enough, as there are great marquees, old buildings, and street
scenes to give it a realistic flavor. But, even better is the fact White
Slaves Of Chinatown was shot in the winter. It looks frigid and bleak,
which certainly contributes to the atmosphere. Olga (Audrey Campbell)
preys on women just released from jail. She looks at this as being the
ultimate recruiting device. They walk out and she picks them up, with
the idea of them working for her as either drug dealers or prostitutes.
Anyone dumb enough to turn down such a position will be tortured! In her
dark basement she’s got lots of torture devices. One girl, Frenchie,
is even a bigger asset. Seems she’s a French politician’s daughter.
Olga whips her in order to force her to have her dad keep sending more
money. There’s lesbianism, violence, crazy narration, drugs, abortions,
and more in White Slaves Of Chinatown. Of the three films on this
DVD, it’s easily the strongest. Maybe that’s why Something Weird
billed it third--saving the best for last?
Extras: There’s footage from the “lost” Olga film,
Madame Olga’s Massage Parlor, a booklet with an informative
interview with Audrey Campbell. Plus, Olga fans will love the nudie short
Audrey Campbell, Art Lover. Audrey Campbell was quite attractive
and it’s nice to see her in her “birthday suit.”
All I can add is this is one impressive DVD. Something Weird/Image outdid
themselves. Now I can hardly wait for Something Weird/Image’s Michael
Findlay’s “Flesh” trilogy which will be out in August.
Don’t whine and complain about the demise and Disneyfication of 42nd.
Street. It lives on thanks to Mike Vraney and his gang at Something Weird.
If you have a DVD for review, please send a promo to Chip Lamey c/o Video
Crypt, P.O. Box 54, Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247.
