Teenage Innocence

Little Miss Innocence (1973)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Above average sexploitation picture has the middle-aged Rick (John Alderman) picking up sexy hitchhikers Carol (Sandy Dempsey) and Judy (Terri Johnson). The older man gets his wish of having sex with the women but pretty soon his desire turns into a nightmare as the girls refuse to leave.

LITTLE MISS INNOCENCE is a film I hadn't heard about until after watching Eli Roth's KNOCK KNOCK. After viewing that movie I learned that it was a remake of DEATHGAME but it turns out that this film was yet an even earlier version. I must say that there are quite a few good things going in this film including plenty of nudity/sex but also some good performances by the three cast members.

In a sexploitation picture it's not common to praise the performances but I thought all three actors were extremely good in their roles and especially the two women. Dempsey easily steals the film as the more sexually experienced character who also appears to be hiding some secrets. Johnson is also very good in her role as the more innocent girl who sometimes doesn't realize what they're doing.

The film benefits from the fact that the two women are both beautiful and there is plenty of nudity throughout. The film is very well-made and features strong direction by Chris Warfield. There were some flaws with the picture including the fact that it does drag a bit even at just 72 minutes. Another problem are the scenes where the older man is complaining because he's getting too much sex!

... is too much? Can that be true? Is it a pun? And is it intended then? Let's just go with my usual pun not intended if you would indulge me. And you have to indulge the movie too - a movie that has a lot of nudity - I mean I expected this to be sexual, but boy did this go above and beyond. That said, I don't think it is titilating throughout. Not just in the moments that may feel like a (fever) dream for men ... but even more so in moments that may be more a nightmare ... I can think of one scene in particular ... which may hurt while watching it ... waking you up to how far the whole thing has gone.

That all being said, the pacing is a bit off - and there is too much of certain things. Especially one scene where there is ... well let's call it fun in the park. Was that necessary? Probably not ... a bit of a time filler I assume ... I guess it was needed ... like the Death Game (remake) needed to add time to reach a certain ... though it is not a remake in the literal sense ... like Knock Knock is a remake of Death Game. Anyway ... interesting oddity with an ending that is weird ... though a bit more satisfying than the one used in Death Game.

This was a surprise to me. I think it´s better than the two movies it inspired; 'death game' and 'knock knock'. Very adult and with beautiful natural girls.