Review of Sin in the Suburbs

Extremely prolific and dependable low-budget soft-core independent filmmaker Joe Sarno scored one of his biggest hits with this hugely enjoyable and for the time quite daring sexploitation gem. A bunch of bored suburbanites join a secret sex cult in which all the members wear masks and robes ala Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut." When pretty teenager Kathy Lewis (nicely played by the fetching Alice Linville) discovers that her adulterous mother Geraldine (a fine performance by the lovely Audrey Campbell of "Olga" infamy) is having an affair, she falls under the seductive spell of sultry cult leader Yvette Talman (a perfectly commanding portrayal by the almighty Dyanne Thorne of "Ilsa" notoriety). Writer/director Sarno presents a bold and revealing expose of sleepy upper middle class small American town morality and hypocrisy, depicting the wild debauched stuff that goes on behind closed doors with considerable incisiveness and commendable restraint (the nudity is quite mild and the on-screen sex surprisingly chaste). Sarno also gives the interesting characters an unusual amount of depth and elicits mostly solid acting from a sturdy cast. W.B. Parker in particular excels with his deliciously smarmy turn as supremely sleazy and sinister sex cult ringleader Louis Muse; Parker's rich, yet gravelly baritone voice and creepy screen presence suggest a seedy straight deviant version of Harvey Fierstein. Sam S. Fiedel's groovy swinging jazz score further enhances the kinky fun. James J. Markos' crisp black and white cinematography likewise does the trick. Although rather tame by today's standards, this vintage 60's blast still nonetheless overall qualifies as a real wicked treat.