Olga's Girls [Special Edition]

Director: Joseph P. Mawra Joseph P. Mawra

Overview

"With the possible exception of Michael and Roberta Findlay's work, ""roughies"" from the 1960s sexploitation era don't get a lot stranger or more lasciviously cruel than Joseph P. Mawra's ""Olga"" movies, and Synapse Films' DVD release of the second picture in the series, Olga's Girls, treats this celluloid freak show with far more respect than one might expect. Olga's Girls has been transferred to disc in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The image has been slightly window-boxed, and the image is quite strong, offering a rich palate of gray tones and little grain; this transfer looks better than some major-studio releases of classic films from this era, while the audio track is equally clean, mastered in Dolby Digital Mono and boasting both clarity and punch. No subtitles or multiple language options have been included. As a bonus, this edition includes a commentary track featuring film journalist Andre Salas and Olga herself, actress Audrey Campbell. While Campbell's memory of the film's short schedule is a bit faulty, she's droll and gracious throughout, and seems mostly bemused by the film's sexual deviance. Those looking for more hard facts and editorial perspective will get it in the essay by Salas included in the disc's booklet. If you're at all interested in the nooks and crannies of 1960s outsider cinema, this release of Olga's Girls deserves a place on your shopping list."

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2005
UPC:	0654930304099
Original Release:	1964
Rating:	NR
Source:	Synapse Films
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:10:00
Sales rank:	35,352

Special Features

New digitally mastered, uncut windowboxed transfer in the original filmed aspect ratio of 1.33:1; Audio commentary by star Audrey Campbell and film journalist Andre Salas; Original theatrical trailer; Liner notes

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Darlene Bennett	Connie
Audrey Campbell	Olga
Clyde Otis	Composer

Technical Credits

Joseph P. Mawra	Director
George G. Weiss	Producer

Editorial Reviews

This lurid, nightmarish film is the sequel to the notorious 1964 sexploitation film White Slaves of Chinatown, and, like its predecessor and immediate follow-up (Olga's House of Shame, also 1964), stars Audrey Campbell as Olga, the beautiful and sadistic head of a Mafia-controlled, Communist-funded prostitution and narcotics ring. Olga's Girls is the most plot-bound of the trio; here, Olga brutally quashes both a police snitch and a prostitute rebellion in her ranks, but, as with the other titles in the series, the story is little more than a framework for director Joseph P. Mawra and legendary exploitation producer George Weiss to hang around a string of crude and vicious bondage-and-domination-themed vignettes. Had these scenes been afforded any sort of budget, the hellbent vigor with which they are carried out would have made them unwatchable. But their power is somewhat diminished by a near-hysterical running commentary by Campbell and narrator Perry Peters, which replaces all sync sound and dialogue, as well as the primitively mimed performances. But the torture scenes, captured by cinematographer Werner Rose in an eerie mix of documentary and noir styles, retain an undeniably unsettling and alien feel, like footage transmitted from some ugly alternate reality. Longtime favorites of the rougher factions of New York's now-defunct 42nd Street scene, the three "Olga" films (a fourth, Olga's Dance Hall Girls, is a watered-down cash-in attempt) are advisable only for serious exploitation students or viewers with similar extracurricular tastes. First Run Features' VHS presentation includes the original trailer.