Video Vixens

"Video Vixens" is a provocative, eccentric satire that falls within the comfortable boundaries of the 1970s' spectacular sexploitation genre. Directed by Henry Stoner in 1974, this cinematic work is a heady mix of humor, risqué vignettes, satirical elements, and everything that was controversial at that time.

The narrative of "Video Vixens" is loosely held together; it serves primarily as a showpiece for a stream of risqué, suggestive comedic sketches satirizing modern broadcasting culture. Television personality Rod Prescott, portrayed by Keith Luckett, serves as the glue of the movie. Luckett puts his charm and wit to good use, making Prescott—an outlandish caricature of a lusty, overzealous media mogul—seem believable in the fantastic world created by the scriptwriters.

Philip Luther’s portrayal of F. Percy Ferguson, Prescott's entrepreneurial brain behind the schemes, breathes life into the narrative. Luther’s performance brings out the character's obsessive desire to exploit television's potential, betraying a hint of the growing concern, during the 1970s, about the pervasive effect of television culture on society.

James Walters makes a memorable appearance as Normal Bates (a tongue-in-cheek reference to Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho"). Walters portrays his character’s eccentricities, embodying the manic, overexcited, and obsessed personality of Bates. He becomes the unwitting star of one of TV's high-rating shows, adding to the overall chaotic comedy of the film.

"Video Vixens" is a merry-go-round of whimsy, featuring a mixed bag of sketchy segments that take a poke at various social conventions. It showcases a commercial rap parody about prophylactics, a cooking show revolving around the food-sex implications, a military campaign encouraging enlistment that uses sex as a direct lure, a strange quiz show involving unsuspected consequences for incorrect answers, and a controversial, sleazy soap opera.

The film disregards traditional narrative conventions in favor of creating a sense of unpredictability and shock, making it an emblem of the sexploitation era. Its audacious and disruptive style reflects an era's preoccupation with sexual revolution, pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable onscreen. The screenplay uses the lure of sex and risqué humor to critique the television industry, unafraid to express its brash opinion on the pervasive media culture and the lengths to which it can go in the race for higher ratings.

Behind its unabashedly sexual exterior, "Video Vixens" harbors insightful commentary about the manipulation of reality by media networks. Despite its controversial genre, it manages to satirize television networks' increasing reliance on sensationalizing content to secure ratings. Furthermore, it mirrors the growing concern during the 1970s about television’s effect on impacting and shaping the perceptions of every household.

The cinematography, though uncomplicated for the most part, occasionally breaks into quirky angles and shots to maintain the overall bizarre tone of the movie. In the spirit of its era, the costuming and production design give this film a nostalgic flair that's a pleasure to observe.

The original score, composed by the talented Moose Charlap, is an interesting mix of swinging lounge music and whimsical pieces that add to the film's overall comedic and satirical atmosphere. Each audacious broadcast is accompanied by an equally daring musical number, oftentimes featuring suggestive lyrics that match the provocative nature of the film.

"Video Vixens" is a bold exploration of 70's satire that catapulted the ‘sex comedy’ genre to new dimensions. Fans of strange, unexpected humor wrapped in overtly sexual satirical commentary may find the film intriguing. Its outrageousness, however, may not be for moviegoers looking for a typical plot-driven narrative or those who find explicit content offensive.

In summary, "Video Vixens" offers a risqué, uninhibited look into television culture of the 70s, replete with humor and audacious portrayals. It's a unique blend of satire and surrealism that manages to subvert mainstream media norms by ridiculing and highlighting the absurdity of television broadcasts in an audacious, sexually suggestive manner. Its irreverent humor, combined with a fascinating look into the past, makes it a must-watch for those intrigued by unconventional cinema that encapsulates the daring spirit of the 70s.