Rediscovering Cinema’s Eccentric Visionary

Read Time:6 Minute, 47 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Hard Wood: The Adult Features of Ed Wood [3-Disc Blu-ray]
'Necromania': A Tale of Weird Love!
The Only House in Town
The Young Marrieds
Shotgun Wedding

Genre: Adult, Horror, Action, Drama, Fantasy, Comedy
Year Released: 1971 / 1971 / 1972 / 1963
Runtime: 54m / 54m / 52m / 1h 4m
Director(s): Edward D. Wood Jr. / Boris Petroff
Writer(s): Edward D. Wood Jr. / Jane Mann, Boris Petroff, Edward D. Wood Jr.
Cast: Maria Arnold, Rene Bond, Ric Lutze / Uschi Digard, Neola Graef, Lynn Harris / Alice Friedland, Dick Burns, George Black / J. Pat O'Malley, Jenny Maxwell, Valerie Allen
Where To Watch: available December 3, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.severinfilms.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: As the curtain fell on Edward D. Wood Jr.'s illustrious career in filmmaking, he daringly stepped into the domain of adult cinema; some of these titles are featured in HARD WOOD: THE ADULT FEATURES OF ED WOOD. This Severin Films compilation revitalizes four distinct and iconic films: NECROMANIA: A TALE OF WEIRD LOVE!, THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN, THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, and SHOTGUN WEDDING, each underscoring Wood's transition and embracing his signature cinematic peculiarities. This ensemble reflects his evolution as a filmmaker and his profound commitment to crafting films that break molds and challenge norms. If you haven’t already figured it out, these are very adult films, even the “softcore” versions, just to be transparent.

NECROMANIA: A TALE OF WEIRD LOVE! embodies Wood's directorial finesse. Over an intensive two-day shoot, the film tackles a narrative about a couple's attempt to reignite their fading intimacy under the guidance of the enigmatic Madame Heles (Maria Arnold.) With a backdrop loaded with eerie elements and gothic props such as the infamous coffin, the film mixes horror with eroticism, injecting a theatrical yet quirky flair that is quintessentially Wood.

Beneath its surface of overt eroticism and horror elements, NECROMANIA also offers a study of Wood's ability to blend fantasy with reality in a way that few directors dared during his time. The film’s use of surreal settings and bizarre scenarios pushes the boundaries of the adult film genre, inviting viewers to explore themes of desire and liberation from the expected norms. Wood's imaginative use of set pieces and dialogue transforms what could easily have been a straightforward adult film into a peculiar exploration of human sexuality and fantasy.

THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN offers a narrative as haunting as the dimly lit corridors of the brothel it portrays. Uschi Digard delivers a riveting performance as Margaret, whose tales of the brothel's dark past add layers of intrigue and charm. Despite some production snags and technical hiccups, the restoration breathes new life into the film, preserving Wood's exploratory spirit in the adult genre with more clarity.

THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN further showcases Wood’s penchant for creating layered narratives within the constraints of low-budget filmmaking. This film, in particular, benefits significantly from its atmospheric tension and Digard’s portrayal, which adds depth to the otherwise surreal and disjointed storytelling. Here, Wood experiments with narrative structure and mood, creating a mix of enigmatic and provocative vignettes. The film's grainy visuals and eerie soundtrack contribute to its otherworldly feel, making it a hauntingly memorable part of this collection.

In THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, Wood delves deep into marital discord and the quest for sexual liberation, reflecting the 1970s uprising of everything sexual. The film, his directorial farewell, captures the raw and often turbulent dynamics of a newlywed couple grappling with traditional expectations and their own evolving desires. Merging straightforward dialogue with a dose of humor, the restoration offers audiences a candid peek into the complexities Wood sought to portray.

THE YOUNG MARRIEDS strikes a chord with its portrayal of domestic discontent, a theme that resonates as profoundly today as it did in the 1970s. Wood’s treatment of the couple’s struggles reflects his observational directorial style, focusing not just on their sexual adventures but also on the psychological underpinnings of their relationship. This film offers a raw and unfiltered look at the complexities of love and commitment, peppered with Wood's characteristic quirks and an undercurrent of satire about marital expectations.

Deviation from the overt themes of its counterparts, SHOTGUN WEDDING veers into rural comedy, showcasing Wood’s ability to infuse everyday normalcy with his unique brand of humor. The shockingly engaging performances enhance the film’s appeal, underscoring Wood’s versatility and flair for transforming simple narratives into engaging cinematic experiences.

SHOTGUN WEDDING stands out as an oddity within the collection, blending elements of slapstick comedy with the melodrama of rural life. The film’s portrayal of a small-town community, with its quirky inhabitants and outlandish scenarios, is a perfect canvas for Wood’s exploration of normalcy vs eccentricities. His ability to inject humor into the narrative without overshadowing the film’s underlying themes of love and responsibility showcases his versatility and keen understanding of genre blending.

The anthology is further enriched with an array of special features, extending over seven hours and including deep-dives like interviews and a standout episode of "The Incredibly Strange Film Show," which pays homage to Wood. These inclusions deepen the viewer’s understanding of Wood's cinematic impact and celebrate the indomitable spirit of a filmmaker who constantly pushed the boundaries of traditional filmmaking.

HARD WOOD: THE ADULT FEATURES OF ED WOOD does more than just archive the unconventional path of a legendary filmmaker; it reintroduces his works to a new generation, ensuring his cinematic legacy persists. As viewers traverse through this collection, they are invited to explore the vast expanse of Wood’s creative genius and the enduring zeal that powered his artistic ventures.

Disc 1: Blu-ray (NECROMANIA)
Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Author Paul Apel (Softcore Version Only)
THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN
Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Spicy Goldman Of Capri Show World
Trailer

Disc 2: Blu-ray (THE YOUNG MARRIEDS)
Audio Commentary With Ed Wood Summit Host Greg Javer And Porn Archeologist/Collector Dimitri Otis
Sex Loops With Subtitles By Ed Wood

Disc 3: Blu-ray (SHOTGUN WEDDING)
The Incredibly Strange Film Show Season 2, Episode 4: Ed Wood Jr.
Dana Gould And Bobcat Goldthwait Talk Ed Wood's Twilight Era
The Mad Genius Of Ed Wood – Interview With Carl Abrahamsson, Author Of Inbetween The Lines – Essays On Occulture, Magic, And Seductive Zombie Strippers
A Brief Encounter With Ed – Interview With Filmmaker Fred Olen Ray On His Ill-Fated Wood Collaboration, BEACH BLANKET BLOODBATH
Disc Specs:

Runtime: 239 mins
Audio: English Mono
NECROMANIA, THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN, THE YOUNG MARRIEDS: English Subtitles
SHOTGUN WEDDING: Closed Captions
Region Free
Aspect Ratio: NECROMANIA, THE ONLY HOUSE IN TOWN, THE YOUNG MARRIEDS: 1.33:1
SHOTGUN WEDDING: 1.85:1

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[photo courtesy of SEVERIN FILMS]

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