Review of That's Sexploitation!

Frank Henenlotter's lengthy and loving documentary on the evolution of low-grade soft-core exploitation fare traces the origins of this endearingly seedy stuff to the 1920's and scrupulously addresses its many distinct permutations throughout several decades that stops at the early 1970's. Henenlotter leaves virtually no stone unturned: Among the debauched delights to be relished within are short loops, the 1930's Hays Code, the legendary group of exploitation filmmakers known as the Forty Thieves, roughies, nudie cuties, sex hygiene pictures, military VD instructional films, pin-up girls, fake sex experts, burlesque shows, nudist camp documentaries, Doris Wishman, body painting, Dan Sonney, the Olga features, Michael and Robert Findlay's notoriously nasty Flesh trilogy, lesbianism, Marsha Jordan, tripped-out dope flicks, the creation of the ratings system, gay cinema, storefront theaters, white coaters, and the advent of hardcore porn, which basically put the kibosh on sexploitation cinema. Moreover, the always amiable and animated David F. Friedman relates a wealth of fascinating information. Highly recommended viewing for fans of blithely trashy schlock cinema.