Project IVC: Jess Franco's BARBED WIRE DOLLS (1975)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BARBED WIRE DOLLS

Jess Franco's Frauengefangnis (1975)

The VHS Archives Factsheet

Label: Imperial Video Corp.
Catalog: IVC101
Box Type: Clamshell
Year of Release: 1983
Runtime: 81:08
Print: 1.33:1 / English / No subs

Extras: None

About the Film
Director: Jess Franco
Year of Release: 1975
Country of Origin: Switzerland
Stars: Lina Romay, Martine Stedil, Paul Muller, Monica Swinn, Eric Falk
AKAs: Women's Penitentiary IV, Caged Women

Verbatim Box Synopsis

Women convicts are doomed to a fate worse than death, in a hell-hole of a prison in a South American jungle. They are ruled by a sadistic female warden with powers of life and death over her charges.  Each inmate lives in deadly fear of becoming the next object of the Warden's perverted sexual fantasies.  Once sent to the "Torture Chamber," they are never the same again, mentally or physically.  Sometimes they are carried out in a box.  Three of the most desperate women ultimately kill their tormentors in their dash for freedom.

U.S. Imperial Video Corp. sleeve! 

Imperial Video Corp. promotional poster, courtesy of Ed McHale, Jr.!

U.K. Vipco sleeve, swiped from The Vipco Blog! 

 Dutch Video for Pleasure sleeve, swiped from El Franconomicon!

Fan trailer, created by Bad Monster Films!

Notes

One of Uncle Jess' more ridiculously sleazy efforts, Barbed Wire Dolls, while certainly no masterpiece, showcases several justifiably famous setpieces guaranteed to stick to your brainpan for the rest of your life.  Plotwise, it's your typical women-in-prison offering, but as with most of Franco's work, it's all about the details.  Yup, this is the film that, in order to save film-stock, Jess shoots a slow-motion sequence in regular speed, with both him and Lina Romay feigning the lesser frame-rate, and not quite succeeding... Other "highlights" include your usual sadism and torture, with all sorts of beatings, torture and electrocution, but it's the "cigarette masturbation" bit that really drives home this one's level of grubbiness.  Worth a look, just to see how grimy the maestro can get.

Looking for Barbed Wire Dolls on VHS? It's available on Amazon here.

Investigate more titles with Project: IVC!

For a look at other labels, check out The VHS Archives!

© 2011 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

It's Name that Movie Monday! Challenge #20!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome back to Name that Movie Monday!

It's time for Challenge #20 here at the ol' Arcana! Can you identify this week's mystery photo, scanned direct from The Holecheck Archives? If you think you recognize it, post a comment below. As the week goes on, if no one guesses correctly I'll begin adding some pretty useless hints. Easy, right?

Here ya' go -- good luck!

UPDATE:

Solved at last! After seven long months, our reigning champion has finally been identified! Thumbs up to "docvoltage" for recognizing Jess Franco's The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969). The fifth and final entry in Harry Alan Towers' series of pulp adventures featuring Christopher Lee as the titular villain, this one details a preposterous plotline involving heart transplants, frozen oceans and the usual world domination attempts. Not a great film by any stretch, it's still fun enough Saturday afternoon filler, and is helped a bit in the eye candy department by co-stars Rosalba Neri and Maria Perschy, who pretty much steal the show.

Belatedly hitting U.S. screens in 1972 courtesy of International Cinema Corporation, as compared to the Warner Bros.-handled earlier efforts, it didn't exactly light the box office on fire and producer Towers has been quoted saying director Franco effectively killed the series. Obscure label Electric Video Inc. released the film to VHS in 1981 with silly cover art and a transfer that didn't do many favors to its already-questionable reputation. In 2003 Blue Underground performed a minor rescuing act and dropped Castle and its immediate prequel The Blood of Fu Manchu in their Christopher Lee Collection box set, which also house the superior Circus of Fear and a restored uncut The Bloody Judge. All four films look great, are complete, and are packed with a wide array of supplements including featurettes, stills collections, commentaries, trailers, etc. It's well worth picking up.

VHS cover courtesy of Jayson Kennedy's Basement of Ghoulish Decadence.

For a look at our last entry, click here. And don't forget, our Upcoming Releases List (the best on the 'net) is constantly updated, so stop by and preorder some cool stuff!

 
© 2010 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

You Can't Handle the Tooth -- Mondo Macabro's Pete Tombs on the Films of Jess Franco

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in 2004, I met up with Mondo Macabro's Pete Tombs and Andy Starke, who were in town working on the supplements to their then-upcoming DVD of Parts: The Clonus Horror. Over the course of the night, as we guzzled beer and chowed down Ethiopian food, conversation inevitably turned to film and my personal Mondo Macabro wishlist.  Pining for the likes of Robert de Nesle-produced Franco fare, especially Lorna the Exorcist and The Perverse Countess, Pete chimed in, "Oh, we know where the rights are..."

Six years later, my favorite label has just issued a superlative edition of Jess Franco's classic, Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac -- an easy inclusion for my upcoming Top Ten DVDs of 2010 list -- finally wrestled free of its tangled rights nightmare.  In celebration, here's a little chat with Pete about the obscenely prolific director and the effort put forth to do his films up right.  

Cinema Arcana:  What is it about the films of Jess Franco that, for all his faults, makes his output so alluring?

Pete Tombs:  I guess Franco is someone who always went his own way.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but there's usually something memorable, in even the smallest of his films. Sometimes just a scene, sometimes just the mood or atmosphere.  It has to be said that there are many who don't like what he does and to try to defend him from the critical brickbats of his detractors is not a task I would wish to take on.  (Not that he needs me to do it!)  What was it Donovan sang?  "Someone's opinion of moonlight..."

CA:  What are your personal favorites?

PT:  The Francos that I find most memorable are Lorna the Exorcist, Sinner, Eugenie, Diabolical Dr. Z, Shining Sex...

CA:  The Robert de Nesle-produced films have had a notoriously rocky road to their DVD debuts.  What exactly did you have to go through to get this deal made?

PT:  I could write a book about the travails we went through to get the de Nesle films licensed.  But I won't.  I'm happy to let the bad memories fade.  Let's just say that there were numerous personal, legal and financial hurdles to jump and at one point it seemed like new hurdles were being added every week.  Anyway, who cares at the end of the day?  We got a couple of them out there and they're good ones.

There are some interesting extras on both.  We get Stephen Thrower's thoughts on the films and on Franco - ahead of the mammoth and essential book-length study he's currently working on.

We also get, for the first time as far as I'm aware, an interview with Gerard Kikoine giving us his memories of Robert de Nesle and working on the Franco films.  Lots of interesting stuff there, much of it new to me.

CA:  You've talked a bit on blogs and messageboards about the problems with the original elements to Lorna the Exorcist.  What sort of shape were they in?  How did you manage to piece together your final transfer?  Is there any more unseen footage besides the legendary dildo bit?

PT:  The Lorna negative supplied to us (and so far as we can see, the only materials available) had been edited by de Nesle and turned into a porno movie.  And it looks like whoever did it threw away or misplaced the footage they cut out.  Certainly we couldn't find it.  However, thanks to the indefatigable Lucas Balbo we were able to locate some rare 35mm prints of the film.  To our great delight, both contained scenes that had not been in any of the video versions of the film we had seen, which meant that we were able to reconstruct what we believe to be the original near 100-minute cut of the film that was widely thought lost forever.  Some of the material is in pretty poor condition, but we spent a small fortune doing as much as we could to make it watchable - and I think it looks very good now.  Some of it looks spectacular.  There are a number of extra scenes and lots of extended bits that will be new to viewers in this version.

CA:  With Sinner now available and Lorna on the slate for January, what else can we look forward to from Mondo Macabro in 2011?

PT:  Our next release is a complete contrast to the Franco films.  It's Strip-Tease - the 1962 French film starring Nico, of Velvet Underground fame.  This has never been issued on any form of home video before and has only been rarely seen since its initial release.  For Nico fans (and I hope there's a lot of them out there!) this will be a must buy.

Thanks, Pete!  The photos of Jess on set come courtesy of Mondo Macabro.  For more Mondo Macabro news, check out their website and blog.

© 2010 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

Top Ten DVDs of... 2003?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Mondo Digital mainpage was recently given a cosmetic overhaul, and in addition to its new look several older articles have been restored.  One such piece was a round-up of 2003's best DVDs that I compiled, with input from writers like Nathaniel Thompson, John Charles, Travis Crawford and Lee Williams.  I have included my contribution below, spruced up with some images and links.  Be sure and check out the original page linked above for the other writers' lists.  For purchasing links, just click the titles!

Top Ten DVDs of 2003:

EMANUELLE IN AMERICA (Blue Underground)

The disc everyone said couldn't be done. After years of waiting, the ever-dauntless Blue Underground unleash Joe D'amato's exercise in all things mind-melting to DVD in high style, with its horse-diddlin', hardcore sex and intense pseudo-snuff intact, backed up with a slate of worthwhile extras.  Laura Gemser's erotic adventures as free-spirited, globe-hopping reporter Emanuelle have never been treated with this much respect; let's hope it's only the beginning!

ESCAPE 2000 (Anchor Bay)

Here's one I've been rooting for ever since Anchor Bay's initial New World catalog acquisition -- an outlandish and gory futuristic updating of The Most Dangerous Game replete with multiple severed appendages, hyper werewolves in cross-country vehicles, hilarious political ramblings and Steve Railsback!  Usually disemboweled, this Aussie action flick amazingly turns up as a packed special edition showcasing a resplendent uncut transfer, an active sound remix, featurettes, commentary, trailers and more.  Who would have ever guessed?

FLAVIA THE HERETIC (Synapse)

Sleazy art?  Arty sleaze?  Something in between?  Now you can decide, thanks to Synapse's gorgeous debut of this bizarro slice of violent nunsploitation.  Impossible to find a good copy prior (complete tapes were fullframe and ltbx tapes were cut) and never even released to home video domestically, we can now view the classiest "naughty nun" flick of 'em all in virtually pristine condition.  Not much in the way of additional items (save an interview with starlet Florinda Balkan and a stills gallery), but it's the movie that really counts.
(Note: Since this initial writing, the film has been reissued on Blu-Ray by Scorpion Releasing.)

I DRINK YOUR BLOOD (Grindhouse)

David Durston's rabid hippie contagion classic finally lands on disc, and it's a doozy.  Aside from the remastered presentation of the main feature, Grindhouse have packed nearly every nook and cranny of this platter with some sort of supplemental material; it's enough to keep you busy for days.  Interviews, commentaries, photo collections, trailers and items that are just peripherally related to the film or its crew are included just for the sake of completeness.  All hail S.A.D.O.S.!

LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX (Animeigo)

The epic tales of exiled executioner Ogami Ito are making their way to U.S. DVD after much delay, and let me tell ya', it was more than worth the wait.  Not only are the films (which detail the revenge-fueled exploits of samurai and child across feudal Japan) pure poetry in motion, but Animeigo's restored transfers take on an almost 3-D sheen that will steal your breath with every slow-motion spray of arterial crimson.  I picked the second entry of the series simply because I like its title more, but ALL are highly recommended.  No extras except for trailers and liner notes, but who cares?
(Note: Since this initial writing, Animeigo has upgraded the series to Blu-Ray.)

NEKROMANTIK 2 (Barrel)

Corpse-humpin' never seemed so sweet.  This strangely poignant and morbidly romantic account of the darker sides of human desire remains provocative viewing to this day, which shouldn't be a surprise considering it was purposely designed to alienate horror fans.  Never an outfit to skimp, Barrel have gone all out with its digital issue, not only delivering a beautiful transfer and loading on piles of sublime extras like outtakes, onset footage and commentaries, but also including the entire soundtracks to both installments on a bonus CD!

SCRAPBOOK (Sub Rosa)

To be frank, most independent films these days are total crap.  And do we really need another homemade serial killer opus?  Apparently yes, we did.  Believable acting, unexpected twists, inspired (but not showy) direction and a complete refusal to pull any punches whatsoever catapult this one way above its peers.  The end product is undeniably perverse, brutal and often hard to watch, but that's what makes it such an atypical surprise in a genre full of stale efforts.  Sub Rosa's DVD contains plenty of input from the makers by way of commentaries and behind-the-scenes footage, too.
(Note: Since this initial writing, the film has been reissued by Image Entertainment.)

SEVEN WOMEN FOR SATAN (Mondo Macabro)

Simply the most delirious piece of Eurotrash I've seen in years.  Reminiscent of Jean Rollin on speed, this former obscurity never fails to entertain, from its ridiculous storyline to its infectious score to director Michel Lemoine's jaw-droppingly insane turn in front of the camera.  In addition to a new transfer from the last film elements known to exist, Mondo Macabro includes a well-made interview segment, a trailer and a few informative text essays, but they're merely the icing on the cake with this newfound gem.

THE TOUCH OF HER FLESH / THE CURSE OF HER FLESH / THE KISS OF HER FLESH (Something Weird/Image)

The hilariously misogynistic misadventures of one-eyed woman killer Richard Jennings get new life thanks to this wonderful collaboration between Something Weird and Image.  Possibly the most berserk films ever made, Michael and Roberta Findlay's grungy masterpieces of anti-female sentiment have never looked so sparkling and established fans will be thrilled to find additional footage, too!  While completely bereft of the bonus materials SWV are usually known for (there wasn't any room!), this trashy trilogy is still sure to destroy any relationship you're currently in.  "So long, sucker!"

A VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD (Image)

Long seen only in horribly bastardized versions, Jess Franco's moody fever dream is now available in what can at last be considered its definitive presentation.  A personal, surreal and lyrical mediation on the uncertain nature of death that will undoubtedly frustrate some but fascinate followers with its poetic vagueness, this is not your usual Franco outing.  Bruno Nicolai's rhythmic, driving score only adds to the film's disorienting appeal.  Challenging, but rewarding.  Besides the superior French language option, Image also presents a trailer with exclusive footage and a collection of alternate takes and insert sequences.
(Note: Since this initial writing, Redemption has issued an excellent special edition on Blu-Ray.)

Honorable Mentions:

Alucarda (Mondo Macabro)

Blue Sunshine (Synapse)
Contamination (Blue Underground)
The Living Corpse (Mondo Macabro)
Revenge of the Ninja (MGM)
 
 

For a look at Cinema Arcana's top picks from years past, click here!

 
© 2003-2013 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.

The Mystery of Big Mike's Girls.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the past few weeks' Name that Movie Monday challenges, I thought it was only fair to present a movie that I want more information about!

I recently acquired an original of the one-sheet you see to the right.  (Strangely, reprints seem to be readily available.  I wouldn't have thought this to be a hot-ticket item for college dorms!)  I mainly grabbed it for Jess Franco's bottom-half contribution to the double-bill but was clueless about Big Mike's Girls, so I decided to do a little digging.

Nothing comes up on internet searches for Big Mike's Girls other than the aforementioned reprint sales.  The poster itself contains no copyright or distributor information.  Which leaves us with the listed cast:  Betty Harrison and Art Roberts.  A quick googling points to an easy ID of Pakistani expatriate Amin Chaudhri's Sweet Vengeance (1970), which follows a scorned woman's trail of bloody revenge after the mob offs her boyfriend.  Highlights reportedly include pseudo-prostitute throat slitting and climactic castration.  The syndicate head goes by the moniker Big Mike.  Mystery solved, right?  Not so fast.  This is where it gets interesting.

Feeling the film still had some legs, someone apparently decided to give it another go a few years later, and blaxploitation porn was the route they chose.  Adding new characters, a Shaft-esque score and several lengthy sex scenes, this new mutation ended up on theatre screens from Chancellor Films as Dirty Trick.  Given the 'X' rating on the poster and its release date, I can't imagine this version wouldn't have been hardcore.  

But that's not what turned up on video.  In 1988 the film saw its only domestic VHS release that I'm aware of, from Active Home Video as Deadly Vengeance, of course capitalizing on an early appearance by the one and only Grace Jones.  (Exploitation at its finest!  I can't imagine too many of her followers were thrilled with the movie that unfolded!)  It indeed presents the redux edition, but doesn't contain any penetration shots. 

So now I'm completely fixated on this movie.  Was the Dirty Tricks version actually hardcore?  If so, were they additional inserts, or were they filmed with the cast's participation?  Has the original version been released on home video anywhere?  Why doesn't the director's family want this listed on his official website?

Any help would be much appreciated; surely someone out there has to know something!  Hell, I'd even settle for a DVD-R.  I've probably passed up the tape dozens of times, never knowing what I was missing.  Kind of like when I finally caught Blood Games on cable a few months back.  Best redneck rapists vs. women's softball team movie ever.  Ever.

Poster scans courtesy of Wrong Side of the Art.

© 2010 -- Bruce Holecheck. All Rights Reserved.