Private Parts (1972)

Director:

Paul Bartel

Writers:

Philip Kearney (writer)
Les Rendelstein (writer)

Release Date:

September 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Comedy

Tagline:

A most bizarre voyage into the psycho sexual!

Plot:

When Cheryl and her roommate quarrel, Cheryl moves into her aunt's skid-row hotel in downtown L.A. rather than return home to Ohio...

Plot Keywords:

Aunt | Hotel | Photographer | Incinerator | Peeping Tom

Cast

Ayn Ruymen	...	Cheryl Stratton
Lucille Benson	...	Aunt Martha
John Ventantonio	...	George
Laurie Main	...	Reverend Moon
Stanley Livingston	...	Jeff
Charles Woolf	...	Jeff's Dad
Ann Gibbs	...	Judy
Len Travis	...	Mike
Dorothy Neumann	...	Mrs. Quigley
Gene Simms	...	First Policeman
John Lupton	...	Second Policeman
Patrick Strong	...	Artie

Also Known As:

Blood Relations (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:X (cut) | West Germany:18 | USA:R

Company:

Penelope Productions Inc.

Quotes:

Aunt Martha: At certain funerals, you can actually feel the liberation of a spirit from the prison where it's been a captive.

"Welcome to Aunt Martha's King Edward Hotel"

This bizarre and entertaining cult film was Paul Bartel's first feature, and it's probably his most interesting film. Good use of seedy LA locations and an effective score by Hugo Friedhofer create a genuinely creepy atmosphere. Well cast and acted. Lucille Benson, who could easily be Norman Bates' mother,is a standout as Aunt Martha.

"Too nosy for her own good", runaway Cheryl Stratton investigates the various characters and rooms in her aunt's hotel, while a resident photographer spies on her; ultimately, with her knowledge and participation. Like so many films, Private Parts owes a debt to Psycho. Though the film becomes somewhat silly with the arrival of the 2 policemen near the end, it is original and compelling, and Bartel displays admirable restraint throughout. The film ends with a good last shot:Cheryl checked-in a girl, and checks-out a vicariously experienced woman.

When the film opened in New York, at the now defunct First Avenue Screening Room, The New York Times' reviewed it favorably. Happily, it has finally been released on DVD with the trailer. Definitely worth checking out. "Follow Cheryl as she leads you through the darkest corridors of your mind", you'll be glad you did.