Devil In Miss Jones, The (Collector's Edition) Review

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Distributor: Raincoat Theater / Kitty Media / Media Blasters Edition Details: Definitive Collector's Edition DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film Run Time: 67 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1972 Director: Gerard Damiano Written by: Gerard Damiano Cast: Georgina Spelvin, John Clemens, Harry Reems (as Harry Reams), Marc Stevens (as Mark Stevens), Levi Richards (as Rick Livermore), Judith Hamilton (as Clair Lumiere), Sue Flaken, Gerard Damiano (as Albert Gork) Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (dubbed) Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.66:1 (non-anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 1 (United States & Canada) Number of discs: 2

Gerard Damiano followed up his groundbreaking 1972 hit adult film Deep Throat with his vastly superior oeuvre Devil in Miss Jones. Devil in Miss Jones is the complete opposite of Deep Throat. Deep Throat was a relatively stupid comedy that while being fun if it hadn't reached the level of porno chic that it did, would have been mostly forgotten by today. Devil in Miss Jones, on the other hand, is a drama that tells a more serious and dark story.

Justine Jones (Georgina Spelvin) commits suicide by cutting her wrists and ends up in limbo, between heaven and hell. She finds she is unable to enter heaven because she committed suicide. Her liaison Mr. Abaca (John Clemens) allows her to pick one sin and after she selects lust Mr. Abaca sets her up with a teacher (Harry Reems) to teach her in the way of carnal pleasure prior to her entrance to hell.

First and foremost, Devil in Miss Jones is an actual film, not just a pornographic film. Damiano has constructed a real film that utilizes sex as part of the construct. Unfortunately, that severely limits the audience that will choose to watch the film, however, Damiano has made the film the only way that it could be made. Had he gone softcore with Devil in Miss Jones, the film would have lost much of the impact that it has. While some viewers may not like dark hardcore, Damiano has truly created a masterpiece with Devil in Miss Jones.

Damiano's story and screenplay aren't the only aspects of Devil in Miss Jones that makes the film work so well. Georgina Spelvin's performance in the film is amazing. Spelvin, a former Broadway chorus girl, brought a true acting ability to the role and plays off Harry Reems well. The whole cast brings the film alive proving that adult performers can certainly act when given material to work with.

Devil in Miss Jones looks beautiful to boot. The cinematography by João Fernandes (using the pseudonym Harry Flecks) is outstanding and a huge step up from his work in Deep Throat. The beautiful look of Devil in Miss Jones shouldn't be too much of a surprise to anyone who was aware of Fernandes long distinguished mainstream cinematography career. His capturing of Devil in Miss Jones on celluloid is impeccable helping to create an all around wonderful adult film.

Devil in Miss Jones is one of those rare hardcore films that is an actual film that is set within the hardcore sex environment where the sex and story work in tandem because that is the only way the story can be told. Devil in Miss Jones is a true classic that every fan of the genre should see.

Media Blasters has done an excellent job of their Definitive Collector's Edition two-DVD release of Devil in Miss Jones. Media Blasters has released the film under the Raincoat Theater line of their Kitty Media division. Devil in Miss Jones was shot on film and it looks like Media Blasters has utilized the camera negative for this release. Devil in Miss Jones is presented in the non-anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.66:1 in 480p. Other than the image being non-anamorphic, the image on the release looks beautiful. The picture is a little on the soft side but sports nice colors. There is print damage, artifacts, and grain present — all of which are minimal.

Devil in Miss Jones is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track. The audio track sounds good with no noticeable issues present at all. The dialog in the film is clear and easy to understand throughout. There is also a remastered English Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio track. The surround track isn't as good as the original monaural track with a tinny sound to it. There is also a dubbed Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track on the release.

Media Blasters has included several extras on the release. The first DVD contains only the movie and a director's commentary track with Gerard Damiano and reviewer Casey Scott. The second DVD contains the rest of the extras. The softcore version of Devil in Miss Jones, that runs for 51 minutes, is included. There is also a video interview with Georgina Spelvin that runs for 30 minutes. The disc is rounded out with a photo gallery and the theatrical trailer.

Devil in Miss Jones is a dark drama that is a must-see adult classic. The story of Justine Jones, who commits suicide and finds herself trapped in between heaven and hell, holds up well and the sex scenes and acting make this a true classic. This is an adult film that if you haven't seen it yet, it is time to correct that. Media Blasters has done an excellent job with their Definitive Collector's Edition two-DVD release through the Raincoat Theater line of Kitty Media of Devil in Miss Jones. The video and audio are in great shape and there are some excellent extras on the release.

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