7/10
fun, but bring your sense of humor
9 June 2000
Sometimes described as "British," this is an NY-made film adapting the Victorian porn novel A MAN WITH A MAID. Seducer Jack, whose basement is rigged with incredible set of snares and boobytraps and bondage devices, lures young women into the same and forces them into sex action they are (natch) really anxious to experience. Various restraints are used, and the atmosphere is N/C, but dialogue is so goofy, performances broad enough, and the Gilbert & Sullivan soundtrack so inapropos that it is quite amusing, except to those persons who take sex altogether too seriously.

Jack's first victim is his fiancee Alice, who is a nice girl and doesn't do that sort of thing before she's married. She's played by lovely Susan Sloane, a very modestly-built brunette who is somewhat a cult figure among 32nd degree porn fans. Jack's awed reference to "The Himalayas!" upon denuding her is a hoot. And of course, once she's had some, she wants more (feminists may exit by the side door). Next, Jack tackles Molly, Alice's maid, and Alice helps out. With both women initiated, Jack's attention turns to the snooty social-climber Lady Bunt (Sarah Nicholson, aka Jennifer Jordan), and she and her lanky, hairy-pits teen daughter Cicely soon find themselves in Jack's dungeon. However, Jack has gone too far, as Alice advises us in a prim voiceover, and it is time to teach him a lesson. Suffice it to say that one is taught.

Tech credits are good, and the film has a professional look although shot about 95% in one basement set. All the actors simulate British accents, at least as acceptably as in the average college dramatic production. Most of the femmes remind me of college girl actresses of that period (among whom I had some acquaintance). Note that this 85 min film has no more than about 7 min, if that much, of actual explicit sex in its running time. Most of it is on the level of a very slick and clever nudie cutie, though with better acting. Sloane and Barrett each racked up a handful of credits in NY porn films of c1974/5; Nicholson worked from c1974-c1981, with dozens of appearances. I never saw Heather Austin (also credited as Brown), who plays Cicely in anything else. Leading man Beerbohm Tree has obvious professional credentials.

Potentially distasteful subject matter is turned into neat comedy by inspired direction and performances. It will be altogether too slow and nonexplicit for many porn fans, but I give it a 7 and recommend it highly to non-raincoaters.
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