Joseph W. Sarno
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| - | '''Joseph W. Sarno''' ([[15 March]] [[1921]]) is an American [[film director]] and [[screenwriter]]. One of the most prolific and distinctive [[auteur]]s to emerge from the 1960s "Adults Only" film market, Sarno has written and directed appoximately 75 feature films in the [[sexploitation]] and [[soft-core]] subgenres as well as several films in the [[hardcore pornography]] genre. Sarno's work is unique in offering unusual characters, taboo-probing situations and relationships, and psychologically compelling stories, as well as opportunities for his actors to contribute genuine performances. His scripts frequently revolve around the introduction of an outsider figure who becomes a sexual catalyst for a small town community, with particular interest paid to the liberation of repressed female characters through sexual experimentation and fulfillment; they also sometimes incorporate elements of [[magic realism]]. Among his most best-known and important films within the [[sexploitation]] genre are ''[[Sin in the Suburbs]]'' (1964), ''Moonlighting Wives'' (1966), ''Inga'' (1968), ''Vibrations'' (1968), ''Daddy Darling'' (1970), ''Young Playthings'' (1972), ''Deep Throat, Part 2'' (1974), ''Confessions of a Young American Housewife'' (1974) and ''Misty'' (1975). | + | '''Joseph W. Sarno''' (March 15, 1921 – April 26, 2010) was an American [[film director]] and [[screenwriter]]. |
| - | Sarno adopted various pseudonyms when working in the [[Hardcore pornography|hardcore]] industry in the 1970s, reserving his own name for non-explicit titles. He acknowledges that he was the uncredited director of such hardcore classics as ''Inside Jennifer Welles'', (1977), ''All About [[Gloria Leonard]]'' (1978), and ''Deep Inside Annie Sprinkle'' (1981). His first known hardcore feature was ''Sleepy Head'' (1973) featuring [[Georgina Spelvin]] and [[Tina Russell]]. He directed a non-explicit sequel to ''[[Deep Throat (film)|Deep Throat]]'' starring [[Linda Lovelace]]. | + | One of the most prolific and distinctive auteurs to emerge from the proto-pornographic [[sexploitation]] film genre of the 1960s, Joe Sarno had written and directed approximately 75 theatrically released feature films in the [[sexploitation]], [[softcore]] and [[Hardcore pornography|hardcore]] [[genres]]. |
| - | Sarno returned to writing and directing after a 20-year hiatus with the direct-to-video soft-core feature ''Suburban Secrets'' (2004). He lives in New York City with his wife and production partner, actress Peggy Steffans, and spends his summers in Stockholm, Sweden. Singled out for appreciation by critics such as [[Andrew Sarris]], his work has been acknowledged by tributes at the [[New York Underground Film Festival]], the Torino Film Festival in Turin, Italy, and at the [[Cinémathèque Française]] in Paris, France. | + | ==Sexploitation and Soft-core== |
| + | Having completed his first adult-oriented feature in 1961, Sarno is one of the pioneers of the [[sexploitation]] film genre. Among his best-known sexploitation films are ''Sin in the Suburbs'' (1964), ''Flesh and Lace'', ''The Bed and How to Make It'', and ''Moonlighting Wives'' (1966). Sarno's work of the sexploitation period is typified by stark [[chiaroscuro]] lighting, long takes and rigorous staging. He is also well known for scenarios centering around issues of psycho-sexual anxiety and sexual identity development. | ||
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| + | During his sexploitation period, Sarno worked with such noteworthy actors as [[Uta Erickson]], [[Dyanne Thorne]] (star of the ''Ilsa'' series), [[Audrey Campbell]] (''Olga's House of Shame'' series), [[Michael Alaimo]], [[Patricia McNair]], [[Tod Moore]], and his cousin, [[Joe Santos]], who would go on to co-star on television's [[The Rockford Files]]. | ||
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| + | Beginning in 1968, Sarno's work becomes somewhat more explicit, predicting the emergence of [[soft-core]]. His breakthrough feature ''Inga'' (1968), was one of the first [[X-rated]] films released in the United States. Other noteworthy soft-core features include ''Vibrations'' (1968), ''Passion in Hot Hollows'' (1969), ''Daddy, Darling'' (1970), ''Young Playthings'' (1972), ''Confessions of a Young American Housewife'' (1974) and ''Misty'' (1975). Sarno was also the director of ''[[Deep Throat Part 2]]'' (1974), the [[R-rated]] sequel to the hardcore classic ''[[Deep Throat (film)|Deep Throat]]''. | ||
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| + | After 1968, Sarno's soft-core work is divided between films produced in the United States and films produced in Europe, principally Sweden, Germany and Denmark. Many of Sarno's European features were made with American backing. In Europe, he is well known for having worked with actresses [[Marie Liljedahl]], [[Christina Lindberg]], [[Helli Louise]], and [[Marie Forså]]. | ||
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| + | ==Hardcore== | ||
| + | Sarno's first hardcore feature was ''Sleepy Head'' (1973) featuring [[Georgina Spelvin]] and [[Tina Russell]]. Reluctant to be associated with the hardcore genre, Sarno began directing explicit films under various [[pseudonyms]]. He also acknowledges being the uncredited director of such adult features as ''Inside Jennifer Welles'' (1977) starring [[Jennifer Welles]] and ''Deep Inside Annie Sprinkle'' (1981) starring [[Annie Sprinkle]]. Over the course of his hardcore career, Sarno also worked with such adult film stars as [[Harry Reems]], [[Eric Edwards (pornographic actor)|Eric Edwards]], [[Jamie Gillis]], [[Marc Stevens (porn actor)|Marc Stevens]], [[Marlene Willoughby]], [[Gloria Leonard]], [[Sonny Landham]], [[Seka]], and [[Ron Jeremy]]. | ||
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| + | ==Critical Reputation== | ||
| + | Singled out for praise by critic [[Andrew Sarris]] during the 1970s, Sarno's work has been acknowledged in recent years by tributes at the [[New York Underground Film Festival]], the [[Torino Film Festival]] in Turin, Italy, the [[Cinémathèque Française]] in Paris and the Andy Warhol Museum. | ||
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| + | His career is being researched for a comprehensive biography by film historian Michael Bowen. | ||
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| + | ==Personal life== | ||
| + | Sarno lived in New York City with his wife and production partner, Peggy Steffans Sarno, who appeared as an actress in several of his films. They had one son together, Matthew Sarno. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| - | == Reference == | ||
| * ''RE/Search No. 10: [[Incredibly Strange Films]]'' [[RE/Search]] Publications, 1986 by [[V. Vale]], [[Andrea Juno]], ISBN 0-940642-09-3 | * ''RE/Search No. 10: [[Incredibly Strange Films]]'' [[RE/Search]] Publications, 1986 by [[V. Vale]], [[Andrea Juno]], ISBN 0-940642-09-3 | ||
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Revision as of 16:38, 27 April 2010
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Joseph W. Sarno (March 15, 1921 – April 26, 2010) was an American film director and screenwriter.
One of the most prolific and distinctive auteurs to emerge from the proto-pornographic sexploitation film genre of the 1960s, Joe Sarno had written and directed approximately 75 theatrically released feature films in the sexploitation, softcore and hardcore genres.
Contents |
Sexploitation and Soft-core
Having completed his first adult-oriented feature in 1961, Sarno is one of the pioneers of the sexploitation film genre. Among his best-known sexploitation films are Sin in the Suburbs (1964), Flesh and Lace, The Bed and How to Make It, and Moonlighting Wives (1966). Sarno's work of the sexploitation period is typified by stark chiaroscuro lighting, long takes and rigorous staging. He is also well known for scenarios centering around issues of psycho-sexual anxiety and sexual identity development.
During his sexploitation period, Sarno worked with such noteworthy actors as Uta Erickson, Dyanne Thorne (star of the Ilsa series), Audrey Campbell (Olga's House of Shame series), Michael Alaimo, Patricia McNair, Tod Moore, and his cousin, Joe Santos, who would go on to co-star on television's The Rockford Files.
Beginning in 1968, Sarno's work becomes somewhat more explicit, predicting the emergence of soft-core. His breakthrough feature Inga (1968), was one of the first X-rated films released in the United States. Other noteworthy soft-core features include Vibrations (1968), Passion in Hot Hollows (1969), Daddy, Darling (1970), Young Playthings (1972), Confessions of a Young American Housewife (1974) and Misty (1975). Sarno was also the director of Deep Throat Part 2 (1974), the R-rated sequel to the hardcore classic Deep Throat.
After 1968, Sarno's soft-core work is divided between films produced in the United States and films produced in Europe, principally Sweden, Germany and Denmark. Many of Sarno's European features were made with American backing. In Europe, he is well known for having worked with actresses Marie Liljedahl, Christina Lindberg, Helli Louise, and Marie Forså.
Hardcore
Sarno's first hardcore feature was Sleepy Head (1973) featuring Georgina Spelvin and Tina Russell. Reluctant to be associated with the hardcore genre, Sarno began directing explicit films under various pseudonyms. He also acknowledges being the uncredited director of such adult features as Inside Jennifer Welles (1977) starring Jennifer Welles and Deep Inside Annie Sprinkle (1981) starring Annie Sprinkle. Over the course of his hardcore career, Sarno also worked with such adult film stars as Harry Reems, Eric Edwards, Jamie Gillis, Marc Stevens, Marlene Willoughby, Gloria Leonard, Sonny Landham, Seka, and Ron Jeremy.
Critical Reputation
Singled out for praise by critic Andrew Sarris during the 1970s, Sarno's work has been acknowledged in recent years by tributes at the New York Underground Film Festival, the Torino Film Festival in Turin, Italy, the Cinémathèque Française in Paris and the Andy Warhol Museum.
His career is being researched for a comprehensive biography by film historian Michael Bowen.
Personal life
Sarno lived in New York City with his wife and production partner, Peggy Steffans Sarno, who appeared as an actress in several of his films. They had one son together, Matthew Sarno.
References
- RE/Search No. 10: Incredibly Strange Films RE/Search Publications, 1986 by V. Vale, Andrea Juno, ISBN 0-940642-09-3
