THE PLAYGIRLS AND THE VAMPIRE The nipples of history
released OUT NOW! 1960 | 15 | DVD
Director Piero Regnoli Cast Walter Brandi, Lyla Rocco, Maria Giovannini, Alfredo Rizzo
Fans of naked- vampirewomen films! Here’s the first one! But what was risqué then now looks mild indeed.
The plot is pure horny horror for the boys: a group of glamorous showgirls get lost and have to spend the night at a remote castle where a bloodsucker resides. Once there they wander round in corsets and diaphanous nighties, but it’s mostly a tease – a strip is interrupted just as the bra’s about to come off, and a girl who says, “I think I’ll go and take a shower” never actually does. The dirty mac brigade must have exploded with frustration. But then – movie history! – there’s a brief topless shot, although, hilariously, for the rest of the time the girl’s body is shrouded in the blackest shadow you’ve ever seen.
A big hit at the time, this dubbed Italian flick is lighthearted, padded, and mostly painless fare, quite likeable but never especially thrilling. Send it to your dirty uncle.
Extras Kim Newman discusses the film in his usual amiable fashion ( 15 minutes), then introduces a quarter- of- anhour long 8mm version, which is both dull and fascinating. Plus: a short deleted scene, French credits and a trailer. Russell Lewin
Director Regnoli previously worked as the film critic for the Vatican’s daily newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.