Lina Romay as Gina (as Lulu Laverne).
While Red Silk was made in 1999 it was just recently released under the Sub Rosa Blue imprint (www.b-movie.com). Red Silk tells the tale of two female private investigators who take on a routine smuggling operation. It soon spirals into a snare of arttheft, kidnapping, murder and blackmail. The two must use all their feminine wiles to escape intact.
Red Silk reminds me a lot of Two Undercover Angels with Janine Reynaud. I think it may be the same two characters from the previous film even though the names have changed. The dubbing for the film is crazy fun and way over the top. It is obvious that Franco was relying on the comedic talents of his two leads as well as their beauty. I have heard a lot of critics of Lina for being too old to do nude scenes. Nonsense! When will Americans realize that true beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Franco is the film maker and his object of desire is Lina Romay. Besides, the loady has been an exhibitionist for so long it wouldn't right for her not to be nude in a Franco film.
The film is hilarious. Lina's co star Christie Levin is a statuesque beauty that loves to stare right into the camera. For some this may seem odd, but in a Franco film she's right at home. It's interesting to note that Ms. Levin plays the part of Tina in this film. In her previous Franco film, Broken Dolls (another magnificent example of Franco's recent output) she plays the part of Gina. What's next? Katrina? Mina?
Back to Ms. Romay. She dominates the film being the more experienced actress and adds a funny, silly romp to her massive filmography. And she is lovely to watch in this erotic comedy. The film is available at www.b-movie.com for a measly fifteen bucks. Not enough you say? How about a 22 minute promo of Franco's next film Snakewoman based on a story by Nathaniel Hawthorne? And yes Lina is in that as well.
EXORCISM (1979)
Lina Romay as Anne.
I decided on this film to start the career of Lina Romay for two reasons. One, I have a copy of two versions of the film and, two, Lina is one of the few constants in both versions. Her part changes very little. The film has been renamed so many times that it isn't funny, but we will be looking at three of it's incarnations. In THE SADIST OF NOTRE DAME the main character of Vogel is more of a madman. while he is always a religious zealot, in this one he just seems more on the edge. In EXORCISM he is more of a cool character, crazy, but able to hold conversations with people. In SADIST he rants much more. The third version I will admit to not seeing, but it's only true difference is the insertion of hardcore sequences. Similar to what he did with FEMALE VAMPIRE. Because of that I don't really need to see the film. I can imagine what it must be like.
So, into the various incarnations of this film we get the secretary, Anne. She works for the French smut magazine The Dagger And The Garter. She has sex with everyone she comes into contact with, excpet for Vogel. Her boss, the girls that she does fake black masses with. Yes, the magazine sponsors a fake black mass to excite it's rich clientele. Lina spends a lot of time on the rack or assisting in the tor4ture of other nubile girls. If you pay close attention you get a woman with highly contrasting attitudes. When she is just Anne, the secretary she is bouncy, smiling and full of life. Voracious in her sexual appetite, this is a gorgeous creature to behold. There is even one scene where she wears the balck cloak from FEMALE VAMPIRE. Sort of a tease towards her sexuality. But, when she takes place in the black masses she is silent, stoic and while naked and alluring it almost seems as if she has turned off her sexuality.
Of course, it doesn't take long before Vogel comes along and decides that she must be his. He will save her from her own devilitry and keep her pure and clean for himself. Unfortunately, by this time in any version of the film, Vogel has broken down and become a murderous fiend. You know that this dangerous man will do anything to have Anne's love. even if it means her demise.
While I have a certain affinity for THE SADIST OF NOTRE DAME, I must admit that my print of EXORCISM is much better. I have the extras filled DVD from Synapse Films and just the commentary alone is required listening for any true Franco fan. There's even an optional clothed sequence for the beginning of the film. Perhaps for milder markets, I'm not sure.
So, if you are a true Lina Romay fan and want to see her at the top of her game, I would recommend EXORCISM to start your journey. I think the DVD may be out of print, but you can get it on ebay for about ten dollars.
Lastly, here are all the various titles for this particular motion picture:
ventreur de Notre-Dame, L',
Chains and Black Leather (Canada: English title),
Demoniac (USA: cut version),
Exorcism and Black Masses (USA: X-rated version),
Exorcisme (France),
Exorcisme et messes noires (Belgium: French title: racier version),
Exorcisms (USA: video title),
Expriences sexuelles au chteau des jouisseuses (France),
Sdico de Notre-Dame, El (Spain: dubbed version),
Sexorcismes (reissue title (X-rated version)),
The Ripper of Notre Dame,
The Sadist Of Notre Dame,
My Favorite Web Sites, But you'll have to type them in manually 'cuz Angelfire has control freak issues. Except for Michael Legge's. His works fine!
www.happycloudpictures.com
www.rylimorgan.com - nuff said
www.cultcuts.net
www.penguincomics.net
www.askewreviews.com
www.b-independent.com
Michael Legge, Director At Large
Email: awfuldrorloff@yahoo.com
