Frankie and Johnnie… Were Lovers
Director – Alan Colberg (Superstar, All Night Long)
Starring – Rene Bond (Disco Lady, Teenage Lovers), Ric Lutze (Please Don’t Eat My Mother!, Midnight Eyes), and John Barnum (My Deep Hunger, The Cremators)
Release Date – 1973
Rating – 2/5
Tagline – “America’s most sensuous legend becomes this year’s most erotic film!”
I’ve spent the last week or so reviewing as many horror movies as I could. In fact, I think I’ve reviewed more this week than I have most months. Since last Sunday I’ve reviewed almost 4 movies a day with no breaks. I love writing reviews and recently I’ve found my passion again. I can’t stop writing. However, I’m starting to get a little burned out on horror from binging several a day so I decided to mix it up a bit.
Recently, Vinegar Syndrome started their Peekarama series again. I reviewed another release last week and decided it would be the perfect time to break up all the horror with two sleazy releases from Vin Syn. The first on the chopping block is the softcore Frankie and Johnnie… Were Lovers from 1973. Thanks Vin Syn for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows lovers Frankie (Bond) and Johnnie (Lutze) who are in an abusive relationship. Bond is a lounge singer that met Johnnie after breaking up with her ex. However, Johnnie is obsessed with his job as a computer tech and his car hobby. Also, Johnnie is often cheating on Frankie with her friend. **Spoiler Alert**
It took some time for me to come around to sexploitation or I just hadn’t found the right ones for me. Now, I can’t wait until I get the next one in. Sadly, Frankie and Johnnie was not a fun one for me.
The acting in this one is what you would expect from an early 70s sexploitation flick. The cast tries to get into character but they awkwardly go through their scenes. I wasn’t a fan of the characters and how their personalities would change from scene to scene. It made the story miss it’s mark and the cast looked like they were confusing the characters. The story for this one is a solid base line for a sexploitation but the jumping back and forth between current and the past events made it a little difficult to follow. The editing almost feels sloppy. If the story was more linear it would have been way more entertaining.
Finally, no blood and gore in this one. However, if you want to watch beautiful ladies dry hump dudes then you will be in heaven. Overall, Frankie and Johnnie just wasn’t that fun for me. The flow of the film is chaotic, the cast feels distracted, and the overall film is just boring. If you want a sexploitation flick to check out I can suggest several more instead of this one.
The Mislayed Genie
Director – Eric Jeffrey Haims (A Clock Work Blue, The Jekyll and Hyde Portfolio)
Starring – Ann Ali (The Godmother, Breast Orgy), Tobar Mayo (Escape from New York, Schizoid), and Rene Bond (Country Hooker, Disco Lady)
Release Date – 1973
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “It’s an eyepopping handful of harem hi-jinx!”
Cult cinema fans don’t give the Peekarama series from Vinegar Syndrome enough credit. Honestly, ten years ago I would have skipped on these releases but after getting a few in for review I find myself needing more sleaze. I recently took a little break from horror and decided to spin one of the newest Peekarama releases with Frankie and Johnnie… Were Lovers and The Mislayed Genie aka the Miss Layed Genii. Frankie and Johnnie did make me fall in love with Rene Bonds but the film was a huge let down. I once again want to thank Vin Syn for sending this release over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows lonely college student David Bates who decides to tug one out in the bath one night. His rubbing awakens a genie that will grant him several wish. After the genie’s suggestion he begins making wishes that will fulfill his sexual fantasies. **Spoiler Alert**
Within just minutes of putting this one in I was laughing. I wasn’t expecting a movie that would be this funny but Tobar Mayo really brought the laughs in this one as the genie. His scenes were funny and his dialogue really made this film as fun as it was.
The acting in this one is very one sided. The entire cast was there for the sex scenes. Their characters are flat and not that entertaining. However, Mayo really brought the film to life. I couldn’t imagine this film working if someone else was cast in his place. The story for this one is funny but, oddly enough, it works so well as a sexploitation flick. If you edit the story just a small bit it would have been almost the same as Heavenly Kid with a young man getting relationship advice from a supernatural entity. Regardless, I found it funny and it actually worked for a hardcore flick. We do get some rather slow moving scenes from time to time but nothing that takes that much away from the movie.
Finally, if you want blood and gore then you obviously have no idea what kind of film this is. However, if you want nudity then I suggest giving this one a spin. Overall, The Mislayed Genie is a fun and sleazy good time. The cast is somewhat lackluster but Tobar Mayo’s performance was worth it. Check it out.
