SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-A-RAMA

SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-A-RAMA

Hot on the ‘High Heels’ of Jason Paul Collum’s Scream Queen documentary this month comes the re-release of a B-Movie classic. When the movie initially appeared on UK video shelves back in the 1990’s it was simply known as THE IMP. Its original title, however, was the apparently highly offensive "SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-A-RAMA". The three ladies featured in Collum’s ‘scream come true’ are Linnea Quigley, Michelle Bauer and Brinke Stevens and the trio all-star together in SBitSBR which finds its way to DVD thanks to the good folk at 88 FILMS.

The movies narrative starts with Lisa (Bauer, although she is credited as Michelle McClellan) and Taffy (Brinke Stevens), two college girls eager to join and reap the benefits of the in-house sorority. In order to do this they naturally need to be initiated. In a feat of strength and discipline (or simply institutionalised sadism) the girls strip off for the beginning of a ritual and duly offer their buttocks to Babs (Robin Stille) for a good ole fashioned paddling!

But news of the initiation has filtered through to three male nerds, Keith, Jimmy and Calvin, who take it upon themselves to spy on the spankfest!

Of course there is only one way to follow a spanking at that comes via some whipped cream into their bra cups. It all culminates in a beautifully shot extended shower scene! It is here that the horny moles are rumbled by the sorority’s mistress of ceremonies. She orders the group to break into the local bowling alley and return with a trophy. Only then will their initiation be complete.

Reluctantly, the band troop off to the presumably ‘slimy’ bowling alley to complete their task. But unbeknown to them is the fact that Bab’s father owns the mall and, therefore, can secretly observe their exploits via the CCTV monitors.

It is here that things get out of control. For a start, they bump into Spider (Quigley), a rebellious crowbar wielding punk chick already endeavouring to rob the leisure facility herself. Inadvertently a bowling trophy is knocked over and the nefarious Uncle Impy is released from a 30 year stint of captivity! The pint sized demonic fiend seems grateful at first and being an Imp with magical capabilities, duly grants his liberators some wishes. But all is not what it seems. Uncle Impy specializes in torment it would appear. When chaos ensues, what will the fate be for the Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-a-Rama???

B-Movie, Schlock, Z grade trash, call it what you will, I not only had a lot of fun with this movie, I was positively astonished by some of its technical merits. For a start, some of the framing was excellent. Considering the previous VHS releases would no doubt have been pan and scan, 88Films widescreen print really does the cinematography justice. The movie is sourced from the original 35mm print and therefore presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 .The result means a few vicarious scenes utilize every inch of the screen. Ok so the lurid sight of three nerds in the background leering over two panty clad bottoms getting paddled in the foreground may not ooze class but it was competent filmmaking all the same!

88 FILMS’ tagline is "Classic movies treated with respect" and their disc is a fine example of this commitment. The print has a real clarity to it which helps demonstrate another element of the movie I was pleasantly surprised by. I am referring to the lighting of the picture. I noted many scenes that displayed the typically 1980’s kitsch of distinct pinks and blues that were adeptly separated. It seems chief lighting technician Voya Mikulic has carved out quite a career for himself in the film industry and his work here has a notable quality to it.

OK that’s my comparisons to Argento over and done with, what about the sex and gore?!?!?

My VHS copy of THE IMP was definitely rated an ‘18’ and the nudity alone seemed to justify this. Well I am pleased to say all the nudity appears intact and MUCH better quality then in its previous semi blurred video cassette outing! The bouncing boobs and shower scenes are one thing, but the sexiest part of the movie surely is Bauer’s effortless switch from naïve student to lascivious seductress via one of the granted wishes! Not bad for a ‘15’ rated DVD!!

There is not too much to report in regards to the gore but a horror movie in a bowling alley simply wouldn’t be the same without the mandatory "gutter head" scene!

The jive talking Imp himself is hardly scary but is at least appropriate for the fun filled frolics on 88 FILM’s disc.

The DVD’s Extras are limited to the movies original trailer along with 10 trailers for forthcoming FULL MOON presentations including the bizarre TOURIST TRAP, PUPPET MASTER and CASTLE FREAK.

If you are unfamiliar with the ‘Scream Queen’ phenomenon from the home video era and fancy an amusing introduction, 88 Films’ superb print of this tongue twisting and time efficient chunk of schlock is a great way to start.

Review by Marc Lissenburg


 
Released by 88 Films
Region 2 - PAL
Rated 18
Extras :
see main review
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