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Marilyn And The Senator
Released by: Vinegar Syndrome
Released on: April 8th, 2014.
Director: Carlos Tobalina
Cast: William Margold, Nina Fause, Serena, Sharon Thorpe
Year: 1975
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The Movie:
Directed by Carlos Tobalina in 1975, Marilyn And The Senator begins with some rather questionable quotes from John F. Kennedy and then Pope Pius XII denouncing censorship and displayed over some patriotic red, white and blue backgrounds. From there some text from Tobalina informs us that “This film was produced in Washington DC right under the noses of the F.B.T. and the C.T.A.†As to what the F.B.T. and the C.T.A. are is anyone's guess (he probably meant the F.B.I. and the C.I.A.) but good for him for sticking it to the man.
From here, we meet our titular Senator (William Margold), a goofy guy in a suit who hangs around a dumpy looking office and enjoys reading The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers while releasing his bowels with the bathroom door wide open. His assistant, Queep (William Kirschner billed as Bill Kay), and a C.I.A. agent named Marilyn (Nina Fause), are none too amused with his foul smelling antics. This doesn't stop Marilyn from requesting that the Senator impregnate her, however, because a hooker named Nancy (Sharon Thorpe) told her that he's good in bed. See, Marilyn is lonely and career minded and for some reason feels that getting herself knocked up is the answer to her life's seemingly fairly minor problems. And the Senator is intrigued, not letting the fact that he's married to Mildred (Heather Leigh) bother him in the least. It would seem he's got plenty of experience at playing around and so Marilyn and the Senator meet at the Watergate Hotel to get it on while Queep peeks in on them and tries to rub one out. Of course, none of this goes off without a hitch, and XXX hijinks ensue en masse, particularly once both Mildred and Nancy get in on the action.
Shot partially on location in a post-Watergate capital, Marilyn And The Senator actually has some amusing satire in its dialogue, much of which not only makes digs at the actions of certain elected officials but which takes on some of the anti-pornography stings that were happening around the time the movie was made. This actually gives the movie a bit of welcome social commentary and while it's never all that deep, it helps to set this one out from the herd a little bit. The movie is quite well shot and some of the location footage is impressive and the picture is also well lit and makes good use of color. Technically speaking, this picture is better than average when compared to a lot of other adult features from the era.
As far as the performances go, Margold is pretty funny in the lead role. He's got a good sense of comedic timing and uses body language well. He gives a memorable performance here and he's amusing to watch. Fause, on the other hand, is horrible. She's plenty easy on the eyes and quite an attractive woman but her acting skills are abysmal. This does, at least, give her work on the picture some unintentionally comedic qualities but don't look to her for convincing line delivery or characterization. Interestingly enough, for reasons never really explained she starts being referred to as Susan later in the movie. Thorpe and Leigh both look very good here too, and mange to provide considerably better performances than the film's leading lady. Also be on the lookout later in the film for the lovely Serena who shows up in a scene at a swinger's party attended by the Senator. At over two hours in length this one is a fair bit longer than it really needs to be, but that complaint aside this is an amusing entry in the annals of seventies smut.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Vinegar Syndrome presents the feature framed in its proper aspect ratio of 1.85.1 scanned at 2K from the original 35mm negative and it looks excellent. There is some really minor print damage here and there but overall, this is an excellent. Colors look great throughout and detail is consistently impressive. Skin tones look nice and natural and black levels are deep without obscuring shadow detail. It's hard to imagine this one looking any better on DVD than it does here.
The film gets the Dolby Digital Mono treatment, in English and without any optional language options or subtitles provided. Clarity of the mix is fine. The score sounds good here and the levels are properly balanced, as such, the dialogue is easy to understand. There is minor hiss in a few spots but it's not really a big deal.
Though the disc includes the original theatrical trailer in addition to the requisite menus and chapter selection, the real bonus on the disc is a ridiculously enjoyable commentary from leading man Bill Margold that's kinda-sorta moderated by Vinegar Syndrome's Joe Rubin with occasional input from the guys behind Distribpix and Massacre Video. This is Margold's show all the way, however, with most attempts to rein him in being tossed aside in favor of the actor's penchant for storytelling. Margold pulls no punches here, dishing plenty of dirt on what it was like working with Tobalina as well as some of his female co-stars. He also talks about the locations, pointing out scenes that were shot in the director's home versus some of those that were shot on location in Washington D.C.. Margold, being Margold, just goes for it here. It's a very 'stream of consciousness' track that covers everything from the man's relationship to porn star Viper to his favorite football team to the quality of his hair and so much more. He just doesn't stop and it's a blast to listen to. It's not always on topic, mind you, but it's really entertaining stuff.
The Final Word:
Marilyn And The Senator is too long for its own good but it is an amusing mix of seventies porn clichés, goofy comedy and political satire. Vinegar Syndrome's presentation is up to their typically strong standards and the movie looks great, but the real reason to snatch this one up is the commentary with Margold, one of those rare supplements that is far more interesting than the feature itself!
