Product: Sextette (1978)
Rating: 4.0
MUCH better...however....
Despite the idiotic Dennis Dermody's (who, today, resembles a grotesque parody of Nana Mouskuri) disrespectful liner notes (where he used only the most cruel parts of past negative reviews of the film), this 2011 re-release of the film can be quite enjoyable.It is NOT remastered, however. It is widescreen and from the master print, but not digitally corrected, so grain is still present. At last we can see Mae West's lips and eyebrows, unlike past prints, where we saw only a pale face and massive eyelashes. She looks very, very good for her age. In some shots she is a beautiful older lady, in some, well...there are only so many angles one can look great in, after the age of 60. It is interesting to note that private footage I have of West at the San Francisco premiere of 'Sextette' provide extreme close ups, and she looks roughly 55, smooth and vibrant. Her makeup is flawless as she walks up to a microphone and quips, "I hope you enjoyed my demonstration of progressive ed-u-cation." The crowd of thousands is completely hysterical for her.This is not a film I usually show my younger friends when introducing them to the phenomenon that is Mae West, but I like it. Mae West was a trouper, totally dedicated to her image. Her co-stars are every bit as campy as she is in this film, and in fact, much more over the top than she. It is a great time capsule of the late 70's.a note: With all due respect to Ian Whitcomb (who is great at what he does) he was a little off in saying West referred to herself in the third person as "Miss West." Indeed, she would often say "We can't use that. Mae West would never say that." But never "Miss" West. That would have been completely insane. Otherwise, his interview is factual and extremely interesting.