Game Show Models (DVD Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

USA/1976
Directed By: David Gottlieb
Written By: David Gottlieb
Starring: Gilbert DeRush, Rae Sperling, John Vickery
Color/89 Minutes/Not Rated
Region FREE

The Film
Every film we watch, or most anyways, come with preconceived notions of what we are about to see. We expect certain things when we hear a plot synopsis, or a director or actor's name. Even the production and distribution companies tell us what to expect. Sometimes though, a movie comes along that is not at all what we expected. Sometimes that is good and sometimes that is bad.

GAME SHOW MODELS is about a man who leaves his performance artist girlfriend as he wants a more steady job in society and not to be broke all the time. He lands a gig with a popular sex-driven game show where all of the models are beautiful and nude and the contestants have to go through all sorts of tests of sexuality. The man begins to hate his current position and tries to rekindle his relationship and his free spirit.

I don't know what to think about GAME SHOW MODELS, I really don't. I don't even know what kind of movie they were going for here. It seems obvious that they were going for some sort of sexploitation but it is pretty tame. I'm aware the director intended GAME SHOW MODELS to be more of an art house movie but producers re-cut the film for the seedy movie going audience. I don't really see much of an art house movie here either. What it boils down to is a fairly dull drama with some T & A thrown in now and again for good measure. The film does contain a few good scenes including the last one before the credits role and a memorable performance from Dick Miller as the host of the game show. That said, I would suggest the original cut of the film over the re-cut as it is an all around more interesting movie to watch.


The Audio & Video
As I've come to expect Vinegar Syndrome does good work with a film that may or may not have been kept in good conditions. And they've done another good job with the 1.85:1 widescreen transfer. Despite some areas with minor print damage such as scratches, GAME SHOW MODELS is a pretty attractive presentation. It's a shame the set of the game show wasn't more colorful because this disc could have probably done nice work with it and really had it pop. Despite some instances of background hiss and crackle the audio track is clear and stable, nothing more you can ask for out of a movie like this. 

The Extras
Vinegar Syndrome gives us a nice 2-disc release with some solid extra features including:
-Audio Commentary with director David Gottlieb
-The original edit of the film known as "The Seventh Dwarf"
-Outtakes
-Still gallery 

The Bottom Line
I honestly wouldn't count myself among the fans of this film but the fact that this 2-disc set has a respectable A/V presentation and the inclusion of both cuts of the film make it a worthy purchase that will please fans.

 GAME SHOW MODELS is available HERE