SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR LUST

Written, Produced, and Directed by Johnny West Edited by George Freeway Director of Photography - Johnny Crash Primula - Misty Mundae Miss Beezle - Barbara Joyce Phoenix - Ruby Larocca Satan - Darian Caine

I go out of my way not to read reviews for movies I haven't gotten to yet, but like everything else in life, there are exceptions. A few weeks back, a review for Terry West's SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR LUST appeared in Rue Morgue. Not much of what was written stands out in my memory except for the critique of supporting actress Ruby Larocca which went something like "she's the best thing in the movie and the strongest reason for watching it." That reviewer, whoever he or she may be, hit the nail on the head.

For years Ruby has been the "go-to girl" of Seduction Cinema character actresses. While all the others seem to be playing variations of themselves, the goofyball Darian Caine, the ingenue Misty Mundae, etc..., Ruby, usually in the background as a second tier supporting player, always makes the most of her roles. From the red-haired vixen in EROTIC SURVIVOR to the farm girl in WITCHBABE: EROTIC WITCH 3, she makes the roles her own but keeps her performances restrained enough so as not to distract from the stars.

In SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR LUST, Ruby is the star. Of course Darian, Misty, and Barbara Joyce receive top billing, but Ruby steels the spotlight from all of them as Phoenix, the bad girl nympho who likes to be punished. Ruby plays the part like a cat in heat who knows she's on her way to hell and plans to screw all the way there.

God bless her little heart.

West gave the girl a part to really shine and Ruby vamps it to the hilt. Of all the Seduction actresses, she possesses the most natural acting ability, and it hopes that the role was created specifically for her. The rest of the cast find themselves in tailor-made roles as well. Misty Mundae is Primula, the virginal sacrifice sent to The Diablo School for Girls after her farther takes off for parts unknown. Darian Caine, Seduction's answer to Carol Burnett, is the devil complete with red leather hotpants and red latex pasties shaped like flames. Then there's Barbara Joyce who lends her natural maturity to Miss. Beezel, headmistress at the school, also its high priestess.

I'm not sure why EI decided to release SATAN'S SCHOOL as a Shock-O-Rama title and not an official Seduction Cinema release, but it's probably due to the dark tone. West went completely Euro with his approach, trying to emulate the work of Jean Rollin and Jess Franco. With the sleazy elements ramped up to 11, this is definitely more Franco than Rollin. Even for a Seduction/Shock-O-Rama, there's little plot to be found, about 85% of the movie is soft core lesbian action, none of which is very pretty. The sex here isn't fun, and it certainly isn't about love. It's ugly and disturbing. It's about debasement and subjugation, not titillation.

As a movie, SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR LUST is West's weakest in terms of quality. It looks rushed and the audio doesn't match within scenes. From EI, I expected more regarding production value. With as wide a distribution base as the company has, bad sound shouldn't be an issue. It's also West's darkest movie since his first, and still best, BLOOD FOR THE MUSE. EI was kind enough to include BLOOD FOR THE MUSE on the DVD as a bonus feature, along with a short behind-the-scenes featurette and a large trailer vault.. Based on Ruby's work in BLOOD FOR THE MUSE, I've personally suggeste her to other filmmakers. She's just that good in her few short scenes that she deserved the recognition, and SATAN'S SCHOOL proves her work wasn't a fluke.

I'm not sure if the SATAN'S SCHOOL disc will appeal to the casual Seduction Cinema fan. You've seen most of the girls play their roles in other releases, and better. Terry West has made better movies, much better. But only only on this disc will viewers find the two best roles Ruby Larocca has ever played. Hopefully, the EI/Seduction big-wigs will realize just how talented the girl truly is before it's too late.

Shock-O-Rama
Seduction Cinema
Dark West Films

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