The Smut Peddler

I remember seeing this movie on the bill at the Gaiety Burlesque Theater in Wash.DC in 1966 or so , I know it was the in-between shows movie. Plus ,I recognized actor James Hong and John something , sorry I can't remember , I thought it was John Schuck but it's not him but name maybe sounded similar. This was later on in life , as two of the movies actors got into TV. At IMDb their names weren't listed on the Cast list and neither showed them on their Name listing all their work at IMDb : but who would want their name on this REALLY BAD EVEN FOR PORNO flick !!!!! I'd dare say it's even worse then Plan 9 From Outer Space or your worse picture choice !

One of those old films which has lots of sex, but always reminds you how disgusting and perverted and bad it is. A very, very grimy and slimy and greasy old film, impossible to find anywhere anymore, thankfully... It has several sleazy tales, all narrated by a slightly frightening, heavily-made up man who calls himself 'The Smut Peddler'. The premise of the film is by going to the cinema you are entering the Smut Peddler's lair, where he will show you some films from his private collection. The cast all evidently need a nice bath. Fun viewing, provided you like films that are so bad that they are good.

The trailer for this movie generated a great deal of interest in this film when it was included in a compilation by Johnny Legend distributed in the UK on VHS as "Psychomania" if memory serves. According to legend only one copy of the complete film survives but as is often the case that's not quite true. Another copy exists and has been shown here in Groovy London Town. In the grand tradition of movie showmanship the trailer promises more than the film delivers which is not to say the film doesn't have its moments. This is not hardcore but if you can settle for nudity and suggestion it's pretty good at delivering the goods cloaked in a moral message, "this is what happens to bad girls", sort of way. I enjoyed it but it's not so different from any number of the films being made in New York in that era, titles like "The Taming" come to mind. The late great Joe Sarno was putting out a higher calibre of smut at the time and his films have withstood the change of moral climate better I feel. As neither of the copies that are known to exist are likely to turn up on disc it will remain difficult to see, but unless you are a completist don't sweat it.

Just saw this piece of art at the movies.. it was a bit of exciting experience to be witnessing its second visit on the movie screen. The Finnish premiere was on 1st of November 1968.

Actually this film is so rarely seen anywhere and the story tells that the ONLY copy of the film is here in Finland.. instead the film's trailer has been saved also abroad.

So what about the movie itself? It certainly contains huge amount of nudity, from the beginning to it's end. Still the storytelling plays important role, because most of the film is explained to the viewer at the same time things happen on the screen. Basically this movie gives us a cavalcade of girls, and a snotty "Dream Girl" -magazine publisher who's ambition is to increase the circulation of his magazine by showing "exotic" girls (for example Miss Austria :P) in the pages.

I'd say this film is definitely worth watching if it hits your town, because it might be the only change to see it :)

Sad to say, but i've seen generally much more better films in this genre. Somehow it lacked the fun and humor that most of the movies from that era had.