The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) has a dream collection for deep-dive film buffs ready for viewing as a three-disc Blu-ray collection on June 28.
This would be The Films of Doris Wishman: The Twilight Years, which contains seven film treasures that were produced during the 1970s, often with her using pseudonyms to disguise the fact that the particular film in question — often sexploitation or erotic in nature — was written and directed by a woman.
What gems does AGFA have in this collection, which are all 2K film restorations from the 35mm camera negatives (yes, Wishman shot her material not on 16mm or even video, but 35mm film).
In chronological order, we begin with the 1970 serial killer shocker, The Amazing Transplant, where Arthur Barlen (played by João Fernandes in one of his few acting roles … he made the transition to cinematography with such films to his credit as The Big Score, Children of the Corn, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Missing in Action, Invasion U.S.A.), a seemingly ordinary guy, goes on a rape and murder rampage when a “triggering” event takes place!
There’s a twist, which we won’t give away here, that involves a medical procedure that Barlen underwent … the donor delivered more than anyone could have expected, including Barlen’s uncle (Larry Hunter), who is ironically the detective assigned to the rape and murder case.
Love Toy followed in 1971, which is about as odd a sexploitation film as you will find. It seems that Alex (Bernard Marcel … as the surgeon in The Amazing Transplant) has a gambling problem and loses a ton to a guy named Marcus (Larry Hunter, the detective in The Amazing Transplant) who, as it turns out, is a kind and generous sort who will let poor Alex off the hook on one condition!
The deal? He will have his way with Marcus’ daughter, Chris (Pat Happel) … meanwhile, Alex’s wife, Mary (Uta Erickson — if you were paying attention in The Amazing Transplant, she was one of the victims), gets in on the action as well.
Yes, yes, there is another twist with this one too … June 28 for the curious.
Whitman’s next film (from 1972) is titled Keyholes are for Peeping, which had a checkered release history, eventually ending up as a VHS entry (its theatrical exposure is sketchy at best). It’s basically a stand-up platform for Sammy Petrillo (Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla, The Brain That Wouldn't Die), who plays a marriage counselor and karate expert, whose office is the hangout for the building’s “janitor,” Manny (Phillip Stahl), who spends his time spying on the clientele (lots of Wishman’s earlier films are used for that action).
We get to the hot action in 1974 with two of Wishman’s better known film releases, Deadly Weapons, starring the very well-endowed Chesty Morgan who gets revenge on those who murdered her boyfriend, using what god gave her as a weapon(s). Seriously!!!
Well, this was such a hit that one (or make that two?) Chesty Morgan film deserved another, and that was Double Agent 73. There’s 007, Bond, James Bond, and then there’s Agent 73, Jane … Jane Ganet, who uses her skills in the “spy trade” (not so sure about saving the world).
OK, we are first to admit that Chesty had her limits as an actress, but Wishman knew a good thing when she saw it and in 1975 delivered The Immoral Three. Agent 73 is killed off (a mercy killing) and her three lovely daughters, Sandy (Sandra Kay), Ginny (Cindy Boudreau) and Nancy (Michele Marie) are out for revenge … and a pile of money.
And last, but certainly not least, is Doris Wishman’s 1977 transgender “documentary,” Let Me Die a Woman. An X-rated look at sex reassignment surgery as presented by the unknown “Leslie.” A truly bizarre, one-of-a-kind Wishman gem!!
Bonus goodies in this Blu-ray collection from AGFA on June 28 include commentaries on Deadly Weapons, Double Agent 73, The Amazing Transplant, The Immoral Three and Let Me Die a Woman.
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