SKIN IN THE 70s
Directed by: Chuck Vincent, Fred Donaldson, Barbara Peters, Laurence E. Mascott
Review by: Adam Becvar (aka Luigi Bastardo)


Released by: Secret Key Motion Pictures
Running Time: 338 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Color Format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: English Dolby Digital Mono
Region Code: 0 NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
16:9 Enhanced: No
Special Features: Booklet
Trailer Online: Yes

Once the Sexual Revolution sprouted its unshaven wings and started to fly around the Western World in the ‘60s, sex in motion pictures took an entirely new direction. It began with actual onscreen nudity in mainstream Hollywood films. By the time the 1970s rolled around, low-budget hardcore pornographic films were readily available for any of-age individual to enjoy in specialty stores -- and, more specific to the point at hand, in adult theaters from one end of 42nd Street to the other. Here we are, several decades later, with amateur porn from all over the world being easily accessible for any under-age student via the Internet. Yes, the times have certainly changed…but the now-retro world of cinematic sex has not been forgotten entirely.

The leaders in the field of forgotten sleaze, Secret Key Motion Pictures, have assembled yet another collection of naughty nudies on DVD with the 2-disc set, SKIN IN THE 70s. It’s the perfect assortment of soft-core sleaze that those of you that were there will no doubt reminisce over, will an entirely new generation will shake their heads in disbelief at.

Our journey into the depraved begins with BLUE SUMMER (1973), from the late Chuck Vincent. Also known in some circles as LOVE TRUCK, BLUE SUMMER is as stereotypical as they come in terms of its plot, which is highly evocative of some of Hollywood’s modern college-aged comedies. Two recent high school grads (Bo White and Davey Jones, the latter of whom is billed as Darcey Hollingsworth) stock their customized van full of beer and hit the road, where wacky adventures await -- interlaced with a number of sexual escapades in-between. Most of the cast went on to do absolutely nothing ever again (which is typical for this sort of film), while a few of the film’s co-stars (Eric Edwards and Chris Jordan) became (ahem) “rising studs” in the hardcore industry.

Next up is SOMETIME SWEET SUSAN (1975), a title that regular viewers of Scorsese’s TAXI DRIVER will certainly recognize. It was also, interestingly enough, the first porn flick registered with the Screen Actors Guild. Although it was originally released as an 85-minute-long XXX hardcore feature, the Secret Key Motion Pictures version released herein is that of a 76min soft-core variation. Story-wise, the critically acclaimed SOMETIME SWEET SUSAN tells of beautiful young Susan, played by Shawn Harris -- who also provides the vocals on several above-average songs for the film’s soundtrack. In a mental institute for her multiple personality disorder, Susan suffers (?) from one sex fantasy after another, while trying to cope with her troubled past. The action heats up, naturally, when Susan’s assertive alter-ego (named Saundra) comes into play. The great Harry Reams gets top-billing as Susan’s shrink, while many other familiar faces (or bodies) include Jamie Gillis, Alex Mann, Rod Loomis, and Jennifer Jordan. Sadly, the world was denied of seeing Harris fight for the title of industry queen: the would-e starlet disappeared into obscurity sometime after this movie was made.

Disc 2 opens with SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHERS from 1974. Barbara Peters (aka Barbara Peeters), the brain behind the exploitation classic BURY ME AN ANGEL, is another sex comedy from Roger Corman’s New World Pictures (and produced by Roger’s wife, Julie). In it, three lovely co-eds (Candice Rialson, Pat Anderson, and Rhonda Leigh Hopkins) take up jobs as substitute teachers at a high school where all of the students look entirely too old. The usual ‘70s sexploitation plot points are all here: affairs, corruption, feminism vs. chauvinism, etc. Among the recognizable co-stars are Dick Miller (in one of his meatier roles), Michael Greer, Vince Barnett, Norman Bartold, John Kerry, and Corman regular Beach Dickerson.

Lastly in the SKIN IN THE 70s set is TEENAGE DIVORCEE (1972), aka JOSIE’S CASTLE. Dissatisfied with her marriage, Josie (Holly Mascott) packs her bags and goes to live with a couple of other recent divorcees -- one of whom is played by STAR TREK actor George Takei. Turning a dilapidated “castle” into their own private hippie pad, the trio smoke pot, attend an orgy, and host a number of parties…all the while trying to find their place in the world. The original cut was a rather mellow one, but when the movie’s distributor found it difficult to sell their product, a number of soft-core sex scenes were filmed with body doubles and inserted into the fray. The version presented here is the latter edit.

All four films are presented in unrestored transfers and in standard 1.33:1 ratios. Quality varies depending on the entry (all of the titles look like they were “mastered” from video cassette), and there are no subtitles/captions available with the single mono soundtracks.

Viewers can watch the films solo or via a “Grind-It!” option, wherein the main features are shown back-to-back and with some promos for other Secret Key sets (which are available on their own as well). A rather informative booklet is also included. Apart from that, though, SKIN IN THE 70s contains nothing in the way of special features…although, I fail to see why anyone who knowingly buys this would complain about getting four vintage sexploitation flicks for the price of one.