The Sin Syndicate is a podcast hosted by writer Gentry Austin and adult film historian Casey Scott focused on the Golden Age of American sexploitation, when the morals were loose, the laws were murky, and the intercourse was all simulated. Join us semiweekly as we peer into adults only theaters and sticky floored cinemas looking for colorful nudies, B&W roughies, and softcore sex films.
The name Donn Davison might not be as well-known as Dan Sonney, Kroger Babb, Dwain Esper, or David F. Friedman, but he was a mighty Southern monarch in his own right, a multi-talented road showman, yo-yo man and official member of the Forty Thieves of classical film exploitation and distribution. Like many of the thieves, he started out in a carny circuit, the spook show, before deciding to try his hand at producing one of his own pictures to tour the mom and pop theaters and drive-ins of the Bible Belt. One of those films was Shantytown Honeymoon , later retitled Honey Britches for release by Something Weird and Demented Death Farm Massacre when re-edited for Troma Video. In this episode we'll discuss all the ins and outs of this regional little hick flick, with special love given to its genetically blessed star, the "torrid tide in the sea of wanton splendor, the siren’s song that leads men to damnation, the Amazonian adversary to patriarchal perdition," Ms. Pepper Thurston. Thurston might tower over her co-stars, but there is still plenty to love about George Ellis giving 110% as the leering, greedy moonshiner Horlon P. Craven (does "Bestoink Dooley" ring a bell?), not to mention Davison favorite Ashley Brooks as bought-wife Reba Sue, as well as Trudy Moore as dumb-as-rocks Karen. There's also Michael Battlesmith as Kirk (he's just a Kirk), and Valarie Lipsey as a super-sassy no-nonsense Madame named Jessabelle (not a Jezebel). Our favorite third wheel and #1 Pepper Thurston stan Alex DiSanto joins us to pull the rope on this well bucket as we gather water on everything you've never wanted to know about this sweet and sleazy number which had a surprisingly long life both on the screen, and on the video shelf. It may be true that the film's message is that the Lord both giveth and taketh away, but he did giveth us Pepper Thurston. To that we say: she's in our hearts now, you can't have her back. Episode Specific: View our Southern Sexploitation List Watch Honey Britches on Cultpix.com Watch Demented Death Farm on Tubi or TromaNow Order The Ultimate Degenerate + A Thousand Pleasures Special thanks: Alex DiSanto Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
The Sin Syndicate is taking a stroll down to the San Francisco massage parlor to visit future adult film superstar Serena during her brief softcore period. At the time, the striking blonde was still using her "Jen Gillian" pseudonym and just getting her foot in the door the film industry. Released in 1975 through Harry Novak (yes, again) and his Box Office International production company, Massage Parlor Wife is unique in that its director really had no business making sex movies, his background was in documentaries and experimental films. Nevertheless, the resulting work is a fiery, funny, and above all, still unquestionably erotic work that not only shows competence behind the camera (and in the editing room), but shows the immediate and umistakable charisma of the new starlet soon to become Serena. Joining us in Episode 43, " Rubbing the Right Way ," to discuss all things Massage Parlor Wife, both direct and indirect, is Mark Murray: author, archivist, restoration artist, bobble head creator, friend of Serena, and propieter of Ultra Flesh Archives. There's no better person to join us for this episode than Mark, who just recently released Vol. 1 in a collection of Serena's hardcore loops through his home video imprint, UFA, where the official motto is "Take pride in your porn," and the unofficial, "Long live loops!" We full-heartedly endorse both, just as much as we full-heartedly love and celebrate Serena, one of the most magnetic personalities to ever grace the silver sex film screen, soft or hard. Episode Specific: Search "Ultra Flesh Archives" Subscribe to Barry Spinello's Youtube Order Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes Pre-Order The Ultimate Degenerate + A Thousand Pleasures Special thanks: Mark Murray Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
The credo of Ryan Verrill and Will Dodson's podcast network is "every movie is someone's favorite." To celebrate one-year of being a part of the Someone's Favorite Productions network, The Sin Syndicate are joined by 1/2 of SFP and the larger Antenna Releasing company, the Disc-Connected man himself, bossman Ryan Verrill, to recap the past year and play a game of pick five. What five are we picking? Five films we want to see get a high-definition, English-friendly home video release in the not-so-distant future. The rules were to keep it somewhat (s)exploitation adjacent, but we weren't going to hold Ryan's feet to the fire for picking a John Waters film. Elsewhere, in the world famous sexploitation news hour, we discuss our recent guest appearance on a sister pod, tackle a commentary listener's email, and chat 75% off Summer Sales. Join us and learn about proper disc placement, boutique label spreadsheets, and the importance of taking a moral stance when it comes to film distribution. Stay 'til the very end for a special song, so long as it doesn't get struck down by the Missing Persons estate. Episode Specific: View the Top 5 Letterboxd List Check out Someone's Favorite Productions Watch Gentry's Absurd video essay Purchase The Lustful Turk/The Joys of Jezebel Special thanks: Ryan Verrill Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
It seemed like a good idea at the time. It all started with our discussion with fetish historian and author Jane Garrett about 1967's Venus in Furs ( Trodden Underfoot ). As a follow-up, we chatted with Nathan Schiff, Long Island filmmaker and longtime friend of Furs director, Joseph Marzano ( Back to Marzanoland ). I guess we're masochists, we didn't get enough Lou Campa, or I just wanted to close the loop, but here we are, definitely slamming the book shut for good on this mini-saga. For those who have not been following along, Campa was the shady producer behind Furs , along with several other sickie films orbiting around this scene. We've touched on several of them before: Venus in Furs , of course, but also, Cool It, Baby and Mini-Skirt Love. But we never really discussed two of Campa's most outrageous offerings distributed through Cinex Industries: Sock it to Me, Baby and Come on Baby, Light My Fire. An additional impetus to continue pulling this thread? The passion of Toronto's very own smutmeister, Alex DiSanto, who joins us for a volatile, heated discussion about the thespian talents of Larry Hunter (would you die on that hill?), watersports in sexploitation, and the musical talents of Darlene Cotton. But before all that, in the news and updates we cover AGFA's latest horrotic release, Pink crossovers, Pride Month failures, and the disgusting trend of using AI to make dead people fuck. In other words: another day, another man, another episode to keep out of the hands of your neighbor, Tina. Episode Specific: Purchase Voices of Desire + Fly Now, Pay Later Purchase Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes Watch Sock it to Me & Light My Fire on Cultpix Follow the paperbackgrindhouse Special thanks: Alex DiSanto Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
It's a Love Explosion! In an attempt to maintain our sanity amidst deadlines and life generally, we bring you another episode of our Short Ends series, which we've used in the past to feature additional discussions that have either gone long, didn't fit, or generally felt like they were worthy of standing on their own. We've slightly expanded this design to hopefully include more low-key and informal chats with friends, fans and listeners, without the pressure of one of our regular, deeply researched Sin Syndicate episodes (that you've come to know and love). All that build up to say, we've got unofficial Gap Theatre correspondent and New Jersey native Jeffery Petrone on the show to talk about a secret screening of "Wilbur and the Baby Factory" that he recently attended. Jeffery is a passionate fan of all genres of film and has recently caught the sexploitation bug. We were excited to talk with him about his impressions of this Harry Novak distributed sort of sex film, sort of Master Race satire. Of course, we've also got plenty of news, updates and chatter from the World of Sexploitation, literally, from America to Argentina to England to Japan. Will I ever be able to rescue Casey from Roman Porno land? Episode Specific: Listen to "Baby Factory" Visit The Gap Theatre View Jeffery's Top 10 of 1960s Sexploitation Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
That’s right, we’re going Back to Marzanoland . If you’ve been a consistent listener, you’ll know that in Episode 38, “Trodden Underfoot,” we discussed the Joseph Marzano film Venus in Furs (1967) with author and fetish historian Jane Garrett . After the release of that episode, low-budget Long Island filmmaker and sexploitation super-fan Nathan Schiff reached out to us to share some stories about his own personal relationship with Marzano before his death. It’s fair to say, Nathan had stories. In fact, so many that this three hour podcast can barely contain them all. A few selections include: film distributor Harry Novak and his notorious “archive,” producer George Weiss writing Olga copy (and teaching proper whipping and tying technique), and an auspicious final encounter with a despondent Janet Banzet. Of course, we also discuss Marzano’s sexploitation career, and hear more stories about the productions of Cool It, Baby and Venus in Furs . Plus, more about muscle-bound masseur Shep Wild and mob wife Barbara Ellen. But that’s just scratching the surface. Researchers, friends, fans, Milligan-heads, pull out your notebooks, grab a bottle of Fanta, we’re talking Marzano and Co. with Nathan Schiff, and rewatching The Degenerates for the 16th time. Episode Specific: Listen to our episode on Venus in Furs , "Trodden Underfoot" Read "Sexploitation!" at the Magick Theatre Learn more about Nathan Schiff from Bleeding Skull Read "An Enraged Eye: Nathan Schiff’s Vermilion Eyes as Anti-Film" at Bright Lights Film Journal View Marzano's early films at The Film-Makers' Coop Special thanks: Nathan Schiff, Jane Garrett Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
Where else will you find a worldwide exclusive about what Christina Lindberg is going to wear on the Cannes 2026 red carpet? For Episode 39, " The Power of the Horn ," The Sin Syndicate have connected with our brothers from another mother, the purveyers of Swedish Sin, Rickard Gramfors & Patrick von Sychowski, co-partners of the Stockholm-based multimedia company Klubb Super 8 and streaming platform Cultpix. With so much to cover, we didn't want to focus on just one film, although their most recent release for Melusine , Come Blow the Horn! does get some special love. Other topics include, but are not limited to: Stellan Skarsgård hanging dong, Sweden: Heaven or Hell , Swedish Roman Porno, puritanical censorship, the social realism of A Woman Heats Up a Sauna , lost American movies in the Swedish Film Archives, the mysterious Cornelius "Corny" Flickenheimer and…Mr. Penguin? It was an absolute joy to talk to the Klubb boys, who are fighting the good fight, and in many ways, are the Something Weird Video of Northern Europe, unconstrained by genre, unafraid of controversy, and actively working to broaden cinematic horizons beyond Bergman. So, close the blinds and join us for a blowing. Just don't waste your horniness. Episode Specific: Visit Klubb Super 8 Subscribe to Cultpix Buy Come Blow the Horn! End music by Fäbodjäntan Special thanks: Rickard Gramfors, Patrick von Sychowski, Kalle Lagerroos Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
Yes, we have this in a higher heel. Enter a world of suprasensual sexploitation with this week's deep dive into one of the earliest big screen adaptations of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s oft-referenced sadomasochism novella, Venus in Furs . Muscle-hunk Shep Wild plays this version of Severin (named David), a shoe-salesman who is taken for a literal trip after a chance meeting with the striking Marina, played by Barbara Ellen, who is as much a creative force in this endevaor as director Joseph Marzano and producer Lou Campa. All three were coming off the sleazy success of the sinful blackmail story, Cool It, Baby (1967), but Venus in Furs was a Marzano product through-and-through, with the former experimental filmmaker given free rein to indulge in his deepest, darkest desires—as long as he stayed within the Campa/Cam-Scope budget. Marzano wasn’t able to fully achieve his vision, but the end result is still a stylishly erotic and boundary-pushing film filled with fetish funhouse imagery and a recurring musical motif pulled from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet . Like that story, there’s no happy ending here, but a descent into unfulfilled sexual madness, an aching longing for the intangible, and one particularly rough game of ping-pong. Join us, along with fetish historian and John Willie biographer Jane Garrett , as we discuss this unsubtle masterwork from sexploitation’s late 60s peak. Find out what's behind the next door, kiss your beloved’s ankle, and accept your fate as “Trodden Underfoot.” Episode Specific: Buy John Willie: A Bizarre Life Follow Jane Garrett on Instagram Attend SECS Fest at the The Beacon Special thanks: Jane Garrett Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
Do you partake? The Sin Syndicate are preemptively celebrating the Stoner's Holiday with this special 4/20-themed episode which is, let's be honest, just an excuse for us to talk about one of our favorite late 60s sexploitation hang out films, director/cinematographer Joseph Mangine's Manhattan-set story of celluloid swingers and black-clad moto bikers, Smoke and Flesh (1968). After cutting his teeth on quick and cheap nudies for Barry Mahon, the talented Brooklynite directed this directorial debut that more or less acted as a 35mm resume for his skills behind the camera. Never a gloryhound, and more comfortable molding tinfoil to create the perfect bead of light than managing a crew from the big chair, Mangine would only direct one other feature film, the Warriors meets Lost Boys cult horror flick, Neon Maniacs (1986) . But between these two projects, Mangine lensed everything from Victorian pornos, killer worm horror films to Albert Pyun's genre defining sword and sorcery epic. In Episode 37, "Waiting for the Man," we discuss all this and more, including a special dispatch from our on-the-ground correspondent, Jeffery Petrone , who checks in with us from Wind Gap, Pennsylvania where he attended a Grindhouse Triple Feature that included one of our top 10 most wanted Lost & and in Limbo films. So grab your favorite grinder and your cardboard bong for a turned-on trip to a world of strip Grand Prix, butter brickle munchies and wife exchange research from the cuck chair. We'll bring the whipped cream. Episode Specific: Watch Smoke and Flesh on Cultpix Listen to In the Shadows of the Neon Maniacs Visit The Gap Theatre Special thanks: Jeffery Petrone, Michael Drumbore, Stephen Scarlata Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
The Sin Syndicate return with another of our Short Ends bonus episodes, this time spotlighting the second release in the Reviver mystery box series from Vinegar Syndrome's Film Archive team. But before that, we've got more sexploitation news, including another update on Secret Places, Secret Things (which was discussed in Episode 31: "Love Land" ), a correction on Andy Milligan's Compass Rose (sorry Thrower daddy), a shoutout to a certain special feature on the upcoming Bunny Yeager double feature from Kino Cult , as well as a rare "what are we watching?" segment. If you don't want to be spoiled regarding the contents of Reviver 2 , you should stop listening around the 50 minute mark. The music cue from Laure will be your warning to bail. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Episode Specific: Buy Reviver 2 from Vinegar Syndrome Watch Oscar's "Winding Through" on Youtube Order Endless Exxxtasy Vol. 1 from Ultra Flesh Archives Order Bunny Yeager's Nude Camera / Nude Las Vegas from Kino Cult Special thanks: Chris Poggiali Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
Before she was Valerie in Daughters of Darknes s, actress Danielle Ouimet was Valérie in Valérie , a landmark Quebec sexploitation film from director Denis Héroux and producers André Link and John Dunning of the legendary Montreal-based Cinépix Inc. Valérie is a time capsule to a post-Expo 67 Montreal, a city looking to flaunt its new modernity, and with artists looking to stage their own révolution tranquille through boundary pushing, censor challenging works. One of the earliest and most successful of these works was Valérie , which at the time its release, was highest grossing Canadian film of all time. Joining us to talk about this special Québécois film is Toronto-based arts journalist and Canadian film historian Eric Veillette , as well as fellow countryman and sleaze expert, Alex DiSanto . Besides discussing all things Valérie and late 60s Canadian sexploitation, Eric has also provided us an exclusive interview with the Queen of Cinépix herself, Danielle Ouimet! Join us for this exciting sojourn north of the 49th parallel as we organize "A Quiet Revolution" of our own. Links: Rent Valérie on iTunes or Vimeo Subscribe to our Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Visit The Downtown Theatre on Instagram and Substack Special thanks: Eric Veillette, Alex DiSanto, Elephant—Mémoire du cinéma Québecois Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
After there were two exotic servants ( The Nude Vampire ), but before there were two backpacking schoolgirls ( Girls Without Shame ), two shipwrecked ghosts ( The Demoniacs ), two runaway virgins ( The Escapees ), and two blind brats ( Two Orphan Vampires ), there were, according to Harry Novak’s English language trailer, “ Two Devilish Nymphets ” (also virgins). For Episode 35 we are joined by the long-suffering Euro Cult expert and author of Sylvia Kristel: From Emmanuelle to Chabrol , Jeremy Richey, to discuss Caged Virgins , a sexploitation import from producer/distributor Novak's Box Office International. It's an odd film in his catalogue. As Casey says, it's probably the "classiest" thing he ever put out, trashy retitling from its original ( Requiem for a Vampire ) notwithstanding.. As we have documented, this fantastique film with sex and horror elements played American drive-ins under that bold title for years and years, but never truly got the respect it deserved until the recent UHD upgrade through Powerhouse Films, a UK-based film distribution company that been releasing lovingly crafted, thick-boxed restorations of Jean Rollin's work through their Indicator imprint. Jeremy has been a contributor to several of these releases, and we were able to pick his brain about his long history with Rollin, his evolving thoughts on the sensitive surrealist, as well as discuss his process for putting together audio commentaries which will be heard on disc for as long as we have players to play them, and archivists to archive them (no pressure). We were also able to bond over our mutual hatred for sexless modern filmmaking, and the use of artificial intelligence as a crutch for the uncreative. Tech bros, send all your hate mail to thesinsyndicatepod@gmail.com. I promise your message will be recieved by wide open, human arms, and read in full, not summarized by a robot. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Jeremy Richey Episode Specific: Visit Nostalgia Kinky Purchase Sylvia Kristel: From Emmanuelle to Chabrol Purchase Requiem for a Vampire Pre-order The Grapes of Death with Jeremy's commentary Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
To know her is to love her. Meet Francy. Or better yet, meet Curt Ledger, a name you may recognize as being attached to a notorious sexploitation film (often called the roughest roughie) called She Came on the Bu s. While that film is a “classic” voice-over narration-style piece of artless trash, Ledger was also involved with another picture, a very different, and surprisingly, very good film, called It’s…Francy’s Friday , a coming-of-age dramedy about a not bad lookin’ chick played by the Teenage Tramp herself, Alisha Fontaine. Joining us to discuss all things Ledger, Fontaine, male co-star Ken Chandler, and everyone’s favorite long-haired business babe, Linda Boyce, is researcher and forgotten film explorer, Shawn D. Langrick. SDL has a personal connection to these two films, especially Francy, but you’ll have to listen to learn more. What I can tell you is that we all agreed this is a special, criminally underseen movie made with real care; a tender-hearted sex film that belies its bonafides as just another quickie Curt Ledger project. So join us for Episode 34, “ The Most Popular Gal in Town ” as we kick start the ignition, engage in a little backseat action, and discuss all things Ledger, Bus , and Francy . Oh, and there’s also this other side-character named Hal Stone. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Shawn D. Langrick Episode Specific: New Beverly Cinema March calendar Watch She Came on the Bus on Cultpix Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
A bold attempt by a smut publisher and an exploitation director at melding fetishism with general release melodrama, Satan in High Heels is a film that aims big with its sophisticated lounge jazz LP and its lesbianic novelization tie-in. But maybe the world wasn’t ready to get fully Bizarre just yet . A few years later, One Shocking Moment would open with a sharp heel to the back of a hand, among other sadomasochistic things, but in the early 60s, exploiteers were still testing the waters of acceptability, and legality. Olga and her House of Shame were still a few years away, so temper your expectations for leather, lingerie and bondage, and you’ll find something just, if not more, interesting—a seriously well-made film featuring Hollywood players, a mononymous pin-up queen, and that lady from Dark Shadows with the crazy eyes and smoker's scream. Behind the camera is the incredibly talented Bernie Hirschenson, who made William Mishkin’s super-smash nudie, Orgy at Lil’s Place , infinitely more watchable than it had any right to be. It all comes together surprisingly well, even if it doesn’t fully capture fet-publisher Leonard Burtman’s original vision (for that, maybe read the book). Taking us through all this and more is our special guest, our pompadoured tour guide, Alex DiSanto , the headmaster of the incredible account paperbackgrindhouse . So sink into your stilletos, grab your stiffest riding crop, and join us for Episode 33: “ More Deadly Than The Male .” Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Alex DiSanto, Richard Pérez Seves Episode Specific: Get tickets to the SECS Fest screening with Jane Garrett Watch the restored trailer Order Scuro 08 Listen to In Film We Trust #148 Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
Rip the curlers from your hair. Peggy’s gone. She was The Most Beautiful Woman in the World . For this episode we planned to discuss Anything for Money with Joe Sarno biographer Michael Bowen, but just an hour before recording we got the news that Peggy Steffans-Sarno had passed away the night before. She was 84 years old. Peggy was many things: she was a New Yorker; she was a mother; she was a muse to artist Tom Wesselman, who was enraptured by her lips; she was a London trained actress that ran in the same circles as Peter Bogdanovich, Polly Platt and director Adolfas Mekas, who put her in his movie; and last but not least, she was a devoted wife and long-time, long-suffering collaborator to husband Joe Sarno, who she truly believed in as a serious artist with a special talent for peering into the depths of taboo eroticism and female sexuality. But as Michael says, “Peggy didn’t appreciate maudlin behavior,” so we did our little part to soldier on, drifting in and out of a film-specific discussion and a celebration of her life, as a Steffans, and as a Sarno. Hell, you may even learn more about Deep Throat 2 than you ever expected, or wanted to. Rest in piece, Peggy. The work continues. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Follow Michael on Facebook Read the memoriam on The Hollywood Reporter Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Michael Bowen Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
We've got more secrets and more things. In this Short Ends bonus episode, we have a few important updates regarding Secret Places, Secret Things , the film covered in Episode 31: "Love Land." What is Satin Lips ? How much is rent for a studio apartment at the former Westgate Hotel where the film was shot? How cute is Debbie Osborne's senior yearbook photo? Besides all things Secret , the Sin Syndicate give an impromptu review of the entire February 2026 calendar for the New Beverly Cinema 's "month of erotica." You best believe we have takes . Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Episode Specific: Listen to Episode 31: "Love Land" View the New Beverly Cinema February 2026 calendar Like Jacob's Sex Shockers List Special thanks: Charles Devlin, Mike McCollum Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
Fasten your seatbelts, don't forget to pack your mother's diaphragm, we're heading to Main Street, USA for an evening in "Love Land." In Episode 31 of The Sin Syndicate, we are joined by author, brick-breaker and long-time exploitation film historian, Chris Poggiali, who personally chose the subject of this week's episode: actor/stuntman Gary Kent's directorial debut, the woozy, mysterious, sensual, Secret Places, Secret Things (1971). Described by Casey as "a special experience," this underrated gem made for the Pussycat Theater chain and distributed by Fineberg & Miranda's Grads Corp feels like it shouldn't exist at all. And for a long time, it looked like it never did. But recently, thanks to film archivists and historians like Joe Rubin and Charles Devlin, this magical little diamond resurfaced in a scratchy but still comforting scan-from-British VHS. It's a rare film that gives popular sexploitation performers Neola Graef and Kathy Hilton more to do than strip and look pretty (though they do that, too), and girl next door Debbie Osborne, unsurprisingly, gives another lovable, standout performance (more akin to Cindy and Donna than Tobacco Roody) as the kind of hippie chick you could bring home to momma. But maybe the most interesting thing of it all is new information from Chris about two of our leading men: Hollywood-handsome Edward Blessington and The Love Butcher himself, Erik Stern. Of course, there will also be diversions to talk about the irascible duo of Lee Frost and Pete Perry, amongst other things. So, send the porter for a bottle of grog, listen to the thunder outside your window, and join us for a very special look at marriage, love, infidelity, and triumph. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Get your tickets to Casey's screening: Alice in Wonderland Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Chris Poggiali and Charles Devlin Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
You asked, we answered, Part 2. Our new year Q&A concludes with the second and final installment, " Uta Go Home ." In this episode, Casey once again rants about the missing footage from The Amazing Transplant , Alex throws shade at the non-gore Herschell Gordon Lewis films and Gentry would really like people to stop asking him where they can watch these films. If you enjoyed Alex's in-depth explainer from Part 1 about the cost of a sexploitation film, tune in for a history lesson on some important players in his native Canada's sex film industry. And if you want a rapid-fire list of the most noir sexploitation films, get your pen and paper ready. What other podcast is queening out over Cherie Winters' hair? Yeah, just this one. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Check out Something Weird Video Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Alex DiSanto Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
You asked, we answered. We thought it would be fun to kick off the new year with a little Q&A, but that little Q&A unsurprsingly turned into a four-hour epic. So, we've broken it in two. If you don't hear your question answered in this episode, stay tuned for next week. But in the meantime, in Part One, "Radley Metzger's Ascot," we are joined by our Canadian youngboy Alex DiSanto to discuss all manner of sexploitation and sexploitation adjacent topics, including: our most wanted SWV HD upgrades, our favorite SWV releases, Bucky Beaver, Betsy Burger and...Howard Hughes? Yeah, it's a lot. Join us for what will surely be a New Year's tradition (that's a threat), both a celebration of the annual uptick, and a thank you to everyone who has listened and supported us the past year. If we had any haters, I'd thank them too. But they stay quiet. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Check out Something Weird Video Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Alex DiSanto Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
It’s a Christmas miracle! It’s been a long time coming, but for the final episode of the year, The Sin Syndicate have been blessed with the immaculate presence of The Boss, Something Weird Video owner and operator, Lisa Petrucci . Ever since we started this podcast we knew we wanted to bring Lil’ Lisa on the show, but we were waiting for the right moment. Well, what better time than now, our last episode of 2025, where we talk with the multi-talented Ms. Petrucci about a subject near and dear to her heart—the Mighty Monarch of Exploitation, David F. Friedman , and the recently announced series of double and triple features from Melusine and Distribpix dedicated to his colorful career. Besides Uncle Dave, we also chat about the early days of Something Weird, the current state of film censorship, and some of our favorite Friedman films. If you listen closely, you might even catch Lisa drop a couple hints about some upcoming releases from SWV in the new year. So, join us for “ On Mighty Monarchs and Lady Bosses ,” the first, but hopefully not the last, of our discussions with the small but powerful woman behind an exploitation empire. Links: Subscribe to our Patreon Check out Something Weird Video Purchase The Adult Version Of Jekyll & Hide + The Erotic Adventures of Zorro Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact us: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com Special thanks: Lisa Petrucci Links: Join the community on Patreon Instagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & Casey Check out the Something Weird Channel Listen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite Productions Contact: thesinsyndicatepodcast@gmail.com
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
