The Sin Syndicate

Here at the Sin Syndicate, we love websites. Not apps, not Substacks, not ad-filled modern forums, but websites. One of our favorites is Mondo Digital, the long-running project of Nathaniel Thompson, a long-time figure in the scene, whether it be moderating the Mobius Home Video Forum, covering genre cinema online and in print, contributing to disc releases, or working at Image Entertainment (not in that order). It's that last thing we wanted to talk with Nathaniel about, specifically around his work as part of Image in the period of the early aughts, which also coincided with the LA-based distribution company's partnership with Seattle's Something Weird Video.What was the process like putting those still incredible double and triple feature DVD releases together? Was there any internal pushback to some of the sexploitation content within? What did they have against The Big Snatch? And what was it like moderating a commentary track with Harry Novak? Those are just a few of the questions we cover in this episode, which also kicks off with a brief chat with Punk Vacation's Eli Olsberg about a special sexploitation screening he attended at the New Beverly Cinema earlier this month. So, cuddle up with your favorite snapper case and best memories of Borders Books, it's about to get Extra Weird.Episode Specific:Purchase The Acid Eaters + Space Thing from AGFABookmark Mondo-Digital.comFollow Mondo DigitalFollow Punk VacationLinks:Join the community on PatreonInstagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyCheck out the Something Weird ChannelListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact: [email protected]

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 ListWatch Honey Britches on Cultpix.comWatch Demented Death Farm on Tubi or TromaNowOrder The Ultimate Degenerate + A Thousand PleasuresSpecial thanks: Alex DiSantoLinks:Join the community on PatreonInstagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyCheck out the Something Weird ChannelListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact: [email protected]

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 PatreonGet your tickets to Casey's screening: Alice in WonderlandInstagram with us at The Sin SyndicateFollow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact us: [email protected] thanks: Chris Poggiali and Charles DevlinLinks:Join the community on PatreonInstagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyCheck out the Something Weird ChannelListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact: [email protected]

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 PatreonCheck out Something Weird VideoInstagram with us at The Sin SyndicateFollow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact us: [email protected] thanks: Alex DiSantoLinks:Join the community on PatreonInstagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyCheck out the Something Weird ChannelListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact: [email protected]

Strap in for Episode 27, “Not That Tony Orlando,” a two and half hour ride that boards at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, makes a detour to Brigantine, New Jersey, and comes to a stop at New York’s Grand Central Station. There will be: more Dawn Bennett slander, a discussion about what makes a “bear,” and a reveal of the inspiration behind Casey’s move to The Big Apple.Curl up with a bag of Takis for some 60s sexploitation comfort viewing as The Sin Syndicate, with special guest Alex DiSanto, discuss the short filmmaking career of Philly boy Tony Orlando (in association with cinematographer C. “Chuck” Davis Smith), and the four pictures he made before his unfortunate death on the operating table: The Block (1964), Lust and the Flesh (1965), Hot Nights on the Campus (1966) and Banned (1966).Besides covering everything you need to know about this quartet of features, there will be diversions to talk about the most uncomfortable exploitation film ever made (The Molesters, and yes, Alex has the promotional whistle), a disgusting promotional tactic around The Twisted Sex (involving a dead girl in white go-go boots) and two other men on the periphery of this scene: Sande N. Johnsen and Jerry Denby. Also not to be missed is our world famous Sexploitation News segment, were we give our initial thoughts on the recently announced high-definition David F. Friedman series from Distribpix + Something Weird Video, reveal the final tally results from our Mount Rushmore of NYC Sexploitation Actresses Patreon poll, and make other historical updates and corrections. All aboard who are coming aboard. Destination: newer, bigger kicks.Links:Subscribe to our PatreonWatch Hot Nights on the Campus on CultpixWatch the David F. Friedman announcement videoInstagram with us at The Sin SyndicateFollow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsCheck out Something Weird VideoContact us: [email protected] thanks: Alex DiSantoLinks:Join the community on PatreonInstagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyCheck out the Something Weird ChannelListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact: [email protected]

The theme is respect yourself. For Episode 25, "Earn Your Money, Koichi," The Sin Syndicate are peering through the two-way mirror at producer/distributor Bob Cresse's Japanese sexploitation pick-up, The Bite (1966). Directed by pink film pioneer Kan Mukai, this early B&W eroduction was purchased for $4,000, re-dubbed, and re-distributed to adults only theaters by Cresse's Olympic International Films. Listen closely and you'll hear sexploitation regular John Alderman as the voice of our protagonist, Koichi, a Sun Tribey young gigolo forced to degrade himself for the pleasure of voyeuristic couples on the other side of the glass. But when Koichi falls for a waitress used in his madam's live peep shows, the walls start closing in as fists are thrown, jail time is served, and a sick mother desperately needs money for an operation. Joining us to talk about the separate but not dissimilar worlds of Japanese and American sexploitation are Christopher and Dakota of the Two in the Pinku podcast, bringing their expertise to an informal discussion about the early years of independently produced pink film, what lens we should view these movies today, and the circumstances that led Cresse to unleashing several of these productions to American grindhouses. Remove the wall covering, hold your lover tight, and join us for a leering look into a world of male prostitution, shotgun revenge, fondling on sailboats, and wearing sunglasses in the night club. Links:Subscribe to our PatreonInstagram with us at The Sin SyndicateFollow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsCheck out Something Weird VideoContact us: [email protected] Links:Special thanks: Christopher Velasco & Dakota NootListen and follow Two in the PinkuPurchase Sex and Fury from TerracottaPurchase Tokyo Emmanuelle from 88 FilmsLinks:Join the community on PatreonInstagram with us at The Sin Syndicate Follow us on Letterboxd: Gentry & CaseyCheck out the Something Weird ChannelListen to other podcasts on Someone's Favorite ProductionsContact: [email protected]