LET’S GET PHYSICAL: FANNY HILL: MEMOIRS OF A WOMAN OF PLEASURE (1965) **

FORMAT:  BLU-RAY

Homeless virginal waif Fanny Hill (Leticia Roman) gets hoodwinked into becoming a prostitute by a devious madam named Mrs. Brown (Miriam Hopkins).  She tries to pawn Fanny off on various customers with very little success.  When Fanny falls in love with a handsome young sailor (Ulli Lommel), Mrs. Brown sets out to keep them apart as it would be bad for business for a lady of the evening to be tied down, especially when no one has sampled the goods yet. 

Fanny Hill:  Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure was directed by Russ Meyer for producer Albert Zugsmith.  Apparently, Russ wanted to make a more traditional adaptation brimming with sex while Zugsmith kept pushing for more slapstick.  The results are mixed at best as the film is obviously trying to serve two masters (and doing neither very well).  Because of that, it lacks the punch of Russ’ best stuff.  It still looks great though as the flick contains some nice cinematography and editing, even if it’s a little less frantic than Meyer’s typical output.  Ultimately, there’s way too much teasing and next to no pleasing. 

As for Zugsmith’s contributions, the humor rarely, if ever, hits its intended mark.  The opening comedic sequence with people getting splashed with water, taking pies to the face, and having cold fish dropped down their blouses is kinda like the beginning of Superman 3, except it’s not very good.  Then there are the obligatory scenes of misunderstandings, like when Fanny thinks a customer is talking about hats and he’s clearly going on about sex.  Predictably, we also have to suffer through a lot of fast-motion chase scenes a la Benny Hill.  (Hey, Benny Hill’s Fanny Hill… now THERE’S an idea for a movie!)

At least the cast is interesting.  Alex (Horrors of Spider Island) D’Arcy shows up for a bit as a well-to-do customer.  It’s also fun seeing future director Lommel playing a square leading man type.  Hopkins seems to be having a blast as the wily madam and Zugsmith himself even shows up in a bit part.  Roman’s beauty and winning charm as Fanny keeps things afloat (mostly), and knockout Cara Garnett leaves a memorable impression as the sexy crossdressing Phoebe.  Too bad that’s just about all the movie has going for it.  

A sequel is promised at the end, but it never materialized. 

AKA:  Fanny Hill.  AKA:  Russ Meyer’s Fanny Hill.  AKA:  Romp of Fanny Hill.