This special limited edition Blu-ray comes with a spot gloss hard slipcase + slipcover combo (designed by Richard Hilliard), includes a 40-page perfect bound book and is limited to 3,000 units. It is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
From nudies to roughies to ultra weird regional curiosities, the sexploitation world welcomed any filmmaker working in any genre, so long as the limits of nudity and sex on screen were pushed as far as they could go - but never all the way. DISTRIBPIX, one of the legendary names in the genre (and whose extensive library will be the backbone of this line), will offer single, double, and even triple feature Blu-rays highlighting works from every corner and crevice of softcore smut, from the dawn of nudie cuties to the all-but-hard 70s, with plentiful lost and never on disc films along the way.
One of the most acclaimed directors of 1960s sexploitation cinema, Joe Sarno practically reinvented the genre with his heady and atmospheric character dramas and thrillers. Presented here is one of his most iconic directorial efforts paired with one of his earliest, both restored from their 35mm camera negatives.
Perpetually flirtatious Ellen has been kicked out of boarding school and thrown out of her home. With nowhere else to go, she takes a job as a maid at her alcoholic Aunt Connie’s hotel, only to be lured back into unscrupulous carnal escapes. With a cast including Sarno favorites Patricia McNair, Judson Todd, and his future wife, Peggy Sarno (Peggy Steffans), THE BED AND HOW TO MAKE IT (1966) epitomizes Sarno’s acclaimed noirish visuals (courtesy of cinematographer Bruce Sparks) while also being the first film ever produced by Distribpix itself!
June, a beautiful, yet naive, young art student is lured into a relationship of unbridled lust by a suave older artist named Najlas Sarto. NUDE IN CHARCOAL (1961) is set in Greenwich Village during its bohemian heyday of the early 1960s, Sarno worked as co-director to Phil Melillo. Starring early New York TV personality Sally Ardrey and stage actor Richard Kronold in the leads while also featuring the first-know screen appearance by sexploitation actress and model Rita Bennett and an acting turn from future Hollywood producer Burtt Harris, Distribpix Inc. and Something Weird are proud to offer the home video debut of this long lost, career starting sexploitation treasure.
directed by: Joe Sarno, Phil Melillo
starring: Francine Ashley, Judson Todd, Lorraine Claire, Peggy Steffans, Barbara Kemp, Victor Bertini, Rita Bennet, Nick Link, Tony King, Gail Sedrish, Richard Kronold, Sally Ardrey, Peter Craig, Burtt Harris, Dina Paisner
1966, 1961 / 80 min, 73 min / 1.37:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.644068 / 5 from 118 reviews.
This limited edition Blu-ray set features two classic sexploitation films by Joe Sarno, presented with high-quality transfers and a wealth of extras. Customers appreciate the excellent packaging, informative extras, and the overall look of the product. The films themselves are highly regarded, with The Bed and How to Make It being particularly praised.
Review topics: [quality, material, looks, picture, packaging, box, effort, presentation, sound, bed, feels, buy, set, work, feature, film, transfer, release, sarno, movie, extras, restoration, book, interview, photography, title, bill, sexploitation, exploitation, art].
"A fun vintage release with a nice presentation and plenty of period charm. The transfer is solid for the material, and the overall package has good collector appeal. A worthwhile pickup for fans of unusual catalog releases."
"Above-average acting and sensual eroticism abound in The Bed And How To Make It by Joe Sarno, fun times ahead. Nude In Charcoal is slightly less interesting but both films make for a great double bill of more dramatic eroticism. Seeing all those Distribpix lined up on my shelf is a treat, they look beautiful."
"This was a blind-buy for me, but "The Bed" was very much worth it. "Charcoal" is not as good, but still an enjoyable watch. Great packaging—the double slipcase I booklet give it a deluxe feel."
"The art on the cover is interesting, and the director of these little numbers did a good job on both flicks. They are an acquired taste but are both interesting artifacts from the old days. The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
"Absolutely insane time capsule of a different era. I can;'t even begin to stress how important it is to save movies like these from being completely forgotten. When I watched both of these (back to back naturally) I felt that I was on a 60s adventure to the REAL 60s. Not some sanitized version. The picture and transfers are wonderful. The extras are cool. And the packaging is top notch. I think I preferred Nude in Charcoal over The Bed and How to Make it, but they are both wild stories with a wide range of performances that can be both hilarious and terrifying."
"I`ve had my eye on this one for a while and glad I finally pulled the trigger. The Bed and How to Make It is more of a drama than I expected, and the folliwng feature has some gorgeous cinematography. Joseph Sarno still feels underrated."
"Perfect for the perfect shelf!"
"This is a great starting point to get on the Joe Sarno train. These are his first films. I believe though I could be wrong. They're not my favorite a little bit slow, but still enjoyable. And must have for exploitation, collectors."
"Good — now I understand the review system. Since the reviews are submitted via email links VS sends you, here are draft reviews you can copy-paste into those forms. I've written two separate ones based on what you shared. Review 1 — "The Bed" / "How to Make It" / "Nude in Charcoal" (the disc content) These films are exactly what they are — unpretentious, charming little artifacts of their era — and VS presents them with the same care they'd give a prestige title. I came for curiosity and left genuinely entertained. The films hold up better than you'd expect, and having them preserved this well on disc feels right."
"Whatch the trailer and it’s what you expect"
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