...whoever it once was that said, in the far and away-back, 'music soothes the savage beast', clearly did not foresee it's arousing effects and application, in the varied and widely eclectic genre of blue movies. Given a specific sex scene, from a specific film, from the countless number of films produced since the inception of the genre, the type of music attached to the scene, clearly has the ability to set, manipulate and change the tone, the attitude, the emotional fervor...even the level of arousal, depending upon the viewer (...what was it, someone else said, at one time?? 'Different strokes for different folks'??). As with most films, the music...pieces strategically placed in concert with each other...often times has the power to ratchet up the potency of certain scenes...even the whole film, itself...to a most erotically appreciative pinnacle. And this is what stands out, foremost creatively, in Vinegar Syndrome's latest 'drive-in' two-fer...two delectable and ironically deceptive-titled films from the golden age of '70's X-rated movie fold...from the auteur production studio of Essex, and the deftly welded direction of Anthony Spinelli (...under the alternate nom-de-plum, Leonard Burke), it's 1978's "The First Time", and 1977's "Oriental Babysitter"...
...we open up with Sue (Mimi Margan), who is engaged in a steamy sex scene, and appearingly, very good at what she does; to the amazement of her handsome co-star...as well as Jake (Jack Wright), a lawyer, who's house is being used for the porno shoot...who catches her in between takes, this was her very first outing, in front of the camera. Thinking back onto how she got where she presently is, Sue recalls being coerced into doing X-rated films by her ex-boyfriend, Jan (Joey Silvera), an unmotivated self-serving slacker, who becomes enraged...even roughly taking it out on Sue, sexually...when it is suggested that he find a job, to help support their household...
...sympathetic to Sue's predicament, Jake woos and convinces Sue to come to his place, for a swinger's party. Reluctantly bringing Jan along...who quickly attaches himself to one of the wayward gals, at the gathering...Sue is captivatingly enticed by Jake, to go into the other room, for a sensual and erotic triste...much to the dismay of Jan, who jealously eyes the two, as they go. Some time later, Sue and Jake re-emerge, only to be joined by another of the party's gals, who treatfully engages Sue in yet another sexual go-around...her first, with another woman...right there in the sitting room, with a captive audience...including Jan, who becomes more flustered, as Sue surrenders herself to the erotic proceedings. Before the close of the evening, Sue further pushes her threshold of sexual discovery, in being asked to brutally whip the very woman, whom she has just made love to...the latter of whom, in turn, writhes with ecstasy, upon each and every whip crack...again, in the presence of Jan, who continues to stew, in jealous frustration and inadequacy...
...revelling in the excitement of what has happened, as well as knowing that there just has to be something better out there, Sue finds herself at a crossroad. Will she go back with Jan...would that be a mistake...and if once there, will he let her go?? Will she instead find solace in Jake's fantasy-fulfilling world?? Or, will she...?? The choice invariably becomes hers...
...going into "The First Time", this viewer...perhaps much like other unwary viewers...was coerced into thinking that considering the film's title, this was going to be an intimate excursion into sexual 'deflowering', of sorts; without a doubt, this misconception proved to be one of the best surprises, in engaging this film, which of course, more correctly defined the phrase 'first time', as in meaning, 'there's a first time for everything'. Clearly, such is the case, as far as Sue (...an alluring and captivating performance by the beautiful Mimi Margan, of 1973's "Resurrection of Eve", 1976's "Femmes de Sade", etc.), whose willing, surrenderous...and at one point, involuntary engagement into uncharted sexual territories, might prove shocking and unsettling...even by today's turn-of-the-century standards, and yet, at the same time, wholly arousing, in the viewer getting caught up with Sue's predicament. An intriguing observation, in the midst of engaging this alluring bit of voyeurism, is the emphasis placed upon not just the sex act, itself, but the mere act of arousing sexual exploration...the touching and stroking of 'textures', to put it mildly. That, as well as the intimately passionate, well-choreographed and executed sex scenes, make "The First Time", one of the best times, to be sure...
...considerably less on plot, but more on sexual presence, "Oriental Babysitter" introduces us to May Ling (Linda Wong), a beautiful and sexy waif of a gal, who candidly relates to us, the viewers, her erotically intimate story...at a young and vulnerable age, wrought with sexual encounters, as the result of having not only developed early, physically and sexually, as far as her womanhood, but also, in offering herself out as a hired babysitter, instead, finds herself engaged in impromptu sexual tristes with not only the husbands, but also, the wives of the households, which she has been given charge of. A drunken husband, home early from a party...a shy husband & father, brought out of his shell by May Ling, only to have his wife walk in on the two, with some sexually explicit notions and intentions of her own...all of these exploits of impromptu erotica, in May Ling...now, an executive secretary...finally and narratively bringing things up to date, culminates in a tireless, unabashedly kinky, and sexually charged tag-team triste between her new boss and his wife...clearly finding greater satisfaction and ecstasy, in her re-assumed, fantasy-driven role, as babysitter...
...Once again, with "Oriental Babysitter", we have here, yet another deceptively monikered film...this time, in that our sexual protagonist herein, certainly does a lot of 'sitting'...but there's nary a baby to be seen. First and foremost, we have the indomitably beautiful and alluring presence of Linda Wong (...1976's "China Lust", 1976's "Femmes de Sade", 1977's "The Jade Pussycat", amongst others, in her brief, albeit overwhelmingly notable career), as May Ling. Sultry. Captivating. Irresistible. A potently hypnotic screen performance, overshadowing the simplicity of the material, which genuinely accomplishes a whole hell of a lot, arousingly, in a relatively brief running time. An interesting focus, in this particular production, is the flagrant use of close-ups, in the varied sex scenes; given a viewing on the standard ratio of the average television, this proves somewhat striking. However, in reflecting back to a time when these documented bouts of erotica were flickered on the silver screen...both indoor and out...such close ups might have invoked some unintentional chorkling; fortunately, such moments in this film, are brief and unlingering. On the whole, as is typical of an Anthony Spinelli production, the enacted sex is portrayed as believably passionate, arousing and intimately choreographed...
...it would be unfair to dismiss eroti-quickies like these, as regular, run-of-the-mill, X-rated movie fare, merely giving the audience what it wants...which, in truth, they certainly do. Over and above what is expected, we have indomitable screen presence, here. Two invariably different and provocative sexual journeys, engaged from different perspectives. A sense of direction, which is intriguing, captivating, engaging and irresistibly compelling. A musical adaptiveness, which is emotionally keen and perfectly integral to the moment...whether the scene works best with a smooth jazz...a primitive jungle drumming...a concert of classical strings...a sensual play of horns...an avant-garde mix of rollicking keyboard symphonics...or merely some good ol' rock and roll. As suggested, Vinegar Syndrome has adeptly rendered and sharpened these great pieces of erotica, from archival 35mm prints...but not too sharply, as to take away the gritty, drive-in flavored appeal. If there is any notable flaw, herein, it would have to be that once again, the fine folks at V/S have chosen to categorize these films, in the 'drive-in' style meld, but neglect to genuinely give them the 'drive-in' style treatment, with an evening's presentation of both films, sandwiching some vintage trailers and concession ads. Now, that would be one heck of a nostalgic show; but, for the time being...hey, why complain?? What we have here, is guaranteed classic prime erotica, at it's finest...and this viewer cannot help but once again rally-cry, "...bravo, Vinegar Syndrome, bravo..."...
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