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The Ultimate Degenerate
[Something Weird Video]
1969; b&w
Directed by Michael Findlay
Starring: Uta Erickson, Michael Findlay & Janet Banzet
The Lusting Hours
[Something Weird Video]
1967; b&w
Directed by John Amero & Lem Amero
Starring: Uta Erickson, Roberta Findlay & Janet Banzet
In Hot Blood
[Something Weird Video]
1968; b&w
Directed by Joel Lanhwehr
Starring: Doris Porro, Ruth Colon & Tom Zolfo
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Simply reading the titles tells you this trashy triple feature features three examples of film that fall into the "they don't make 'em like this anymore" category. (Of course, this could be said for a lot of Something Weird's catalog, which is one of the reasons we love them.) These are also the type of film that fall into the "not for everybody" category because, you know, not everyone wants to see random scenes of sex, violence, sexual violence and inappropriate usage of fruits, vegetables, dessert topping and items you would find in a tool shed. (At this point I've seen all sorts of nonsense as a reviewer and have been around the triple feature block plenty of times; I would have only been surprised if one of these films hadn't contained at least three of those things!) Even though I'm the type of gal who prefers to use bananas, corn on the cob, whipped cream and pliers for their original purposes, I do like the occasional bizarre sexploitation film - and all three of these definitely fall into this category as well. Starting with the first and most "famous" of the bunch, The Ultimate Degenerate comes to us courtesy the ever interesting minds of the Findlays, Roberta and Michael. It's safe to say the Findlays are two of the more unusual characters in the history of exploitation film (seriously, google them) and, although I have not seen a huge amount of their collective filmography, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this is one of the more unusual films with their surname attached. Which is really saying something! One thing I loved about this film was the premise of lovely, horny young Maria fleeing downtown NYC in search of kicks she just can't find in Manhattan. (I thought you could find anything and everything in Manhattan. And at all hours!) My other favorite thing about this movie was the shots of New York back in the day when places like Times Square and Coney Island were grimy, slanty, and completely black and white. The second feature, The Lusting Hours, also comes to us courtesy the Findlays and is more of a classic "educational" exploitation style foray into the ever seamy underbelly of the world's oldest profession, circa 1967. This one is probably playing second fiddle here for a reason but certainly holds it's own in the perversion department. Our third feature, In Hot Blood, may not be the most memorable film of all time but I have to honestly admit, for me it contained the single most memorable scene on the whole DVD; when the heroine first walks into the "modeling agency" and the quartet of working models scowl at her while vougeing to the photographer's ever slanty lens. (PS: Their outfits, even in black and white, are f'in incredible!) I was really hoping someone would yell out "OK honey!" or "you betta work bitch!'" at some point in the proceedings but the photographer, and the girls, remain mute. On the bright side the soundtrack is great too; a lot of the stuff in here seems like it could have been pulled straight out of the Kommandant's record collection. (And since I'm assuming whoever put it together had absolutely zero rights to use any of this music it obviously came from someone's record collection.) As a whole the package is a little light on the extras (trailers for each and a gallery ad art) but delivers on it's promise to suck the viewer "into a vortex of voluptuousness from which there is no escape!" Unless you hit the stop or off buttons, then it's pretty easy.
—Bunny
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