Sin You Sinners (1963)

Directed by Anthony Farrar and an uncredited Joseph W. Sarno 

Featuring Dian Lloyd, June Colbourne and Derek Murcott

An early film from the prolific and pioneering sexploitation director Joe Sarno, ‘Sin You Sinners’ is low on nudity but high on psychodrama. It plays out a bit like a weird, seedy and increasingly dark soap opera, full of sleazy atmosphere and with a mild supernatural angle.

We first meet Bobbi, an ageing stripper, as the opening credits roll (see image above), performing an extremely non-erotic striptease for a bored and disdainful-looking audience. Bobbi also has a side business performing occult rituals and telling fortunes, often for various sex-worker acquaintances. She is assisted by her daughter Julie and her younger lover Dave, who are kept in her thrall thanks to the power of a Haitian amulet that she wears at all times. Jealousy grows between the mother and daughter as Julie also becomes involved with Dave, and the two of them plot to steal the amulet.

This film is not entirely successful, dragging at times despite running for just over an hour.  It doesn’t help that the film appears to have been shot in a series of random apartments, or that many of the actors performances are pretty substandard. The condition of the print (apparently the only one in existence) is also poor, scratched and sometimes jumpy. The sound is murky, with scenes set in a coffee shop suffering from so much extraneous noise that they might as well have been set in a bowling alley. But in a way these imperfections add to the dark and gritty atmosphere of the film, and the odd plot and weird psychological aura provide some interest.

Worth watching? I’m glad that I watched it, but would not necessarily recommend it. Maybe if you are feeling patient and in the mood for cheap and dirty psychological drama. A very specific mood, I know.

Truth in advertising? Figuratively, I guess the title is accurate? Most of the characters could be described as ‘sinners’ in one way or another, depending upon your perspective. 4/5.