planktonrules

Apparently, "House of 1,000 Dolls" shares something in common with "Lady Frankenstein" and "Caligula". Each had a cast of respected actors and at the end of each day's shooting, these actors went home...and MORE filming took place without the actor's knowledge...turning these supposedly respectable films into porno pictures! The version I saw on Amazon Prime is the non-porn version...but one does exist out there.

Felix Manderville and his partner Rebecca (Vincent Price and Martha Hyer) have an unusual business. They have a mind reading act which is very popular. However, they also use this as a cover to kidnap pretty ladies and turn them into sex workers for a group of mobsters! Stephen (George Nader) and Marie Armstrong are investigators and look into the nasty couple and their 'friends'.

The basic story is actually pretty interesting...though it seems a VERY odd film for Vincent Price...whether it's the porno or non-porno version. And, as I expected, George Nader is very good. This is because he starred in a long series of European spy films around the same time...and he's good as a tough heroic type.

Overall, the non-porn version is very good...though the thought of making a pornographic version which features naked sex slaves seems pretty disgusting. After all, the film is trying to titillate when it should be showing horror at such things.

A reservist is activated and goes off to serve his country. In his absence, a contractor who is supposed to fix up his house actually manipulates the situation and ends up taking the family's home! How can this happen? Well, Leverage wonders as well and decides to take the case. But, oddly, this case takes them to in slightly different direction when they learn these jerks have done this before...to about 400 families! It also has a hiccup when Ethan's drinking starts to spiral out of control.

This is a very good episode...and wow, is it fun seeing these greedy jerks get their comeuppance at the end. Well written and dare I say fun.

By the way, Jonathan Frakes (#1 on "Star Trek the Next Generation and director of some of the show's episodes) plays a guy wearing a neck collar sitting in the waiting room. He has no lines and they just slipped him into the episode for this quick cameo.

Of all the episodes I've seen so far, "The Mile High Job" is the worst. While it is a very enjoyable episode, the ending is just insanely dumb...so dumb it really ruins all the good that preceded it. Trust me...it's BAD!!!

A family is suing a corportion which pumped toxins into the water system...harming some people. However, because the corporation is so rich and powerful, the litigants don't stand a chance of winning the case...unless Leverage can help...which, of course, they do.

Everything about this episode is slick and exciting...until the end. I don't want to ruin it for you...just pay attention to when the plane lands...you'll understand what I mean. It's BAD!!