Touch Of Genie, A (Blu-Ray) Review

Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome Edition Details: Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Comedy Run Time: 86 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1974 Director: Joseph W. Sarno (as Karl Andersson) Written by: Joseph W. Sarno (as Karl Andersson), Jason Russell (concept) Cast: Chris Jordan (as Karen Craig), Douglas Stone, Tina Russell, Harry Reems, Marc Stevens, Ultramax, Harding Harrison, Levi Richards (as John Ashton), Eric Edwards, Lynn Stevens, Sandy Fox (as Sandi Foxx), Ro Tasha, Ronald Holand, Jason Russell, Fred J. Lincoln (as Frank Parker), Ed Marshall (as James Shepard) Release Specs: Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono, English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: Blu-ray/DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1 Blu-ray, 1 DVD

A Touch of Genie is a hardcore comedy feature film from legendary sexploitation film director Joseph W. Sarno. Sarno has stated that he wasn't a fan of working within the hardcore format, however, despite not being a fan of the format he has made some very enjoyable hardcore films. Part of what has made Sarno's adult films unique within the hardcore adult film industry is that he actually attempted to make real films, not just films of people having sex.

A Touch of Genie introduces us to the affable Melvin Finklefarb (Douglas Stone). Melvin owns a second-hand shop and lives above the shop with his mother (Ultramax). Melvin's mother is disappointed with her son's life choices and his hanging out with his seemingly only friend Irving (Harding Harrison). Melvin has little luck with the women and spends most of his free time in disguise at the local hardcore grindhouse watching adult film stars going at it on the larger than life blue screen. One day when using an old vase to masturbate, Melvin unwittingly releases genie Amara (Chris Jordan), who offers Melvin five wishes. Melvin uses his wishes to become the stars of the adult films he enjoys.

Sarno has created a unique adult film with A Touch of Genie. To begin with, the three main characters Amara, Irving, and Marvin don't have any hardcore sex within the film, nor do any of the three even get naked. Even Marvin's mother only has a blowjob scene, not a full-fledged sex scene. The hardcore sex scenes within the film are delegated to the adult film stars within the film that are playing themselves and are reserved for when Melvin is watching them on the blue screen or when Marvin is fulfilling each of his wishes.

Another unique aspect within A Touch of Genie is that Sarno doesn't pause the plot for the sex scenes. So the sex scenes are interrupted by reality creeping into them, which helps the feature film aspect of A Touch of Genie. The sex scenes are enjoyable both the ones shown on the screen from adult movies and the ones where Melvin is living out his fantasies, which brings us to the cast. The cast does a great job with their material. Especially Ultramax who is absolutely wonderful as Marvin's mother.

The story itself is enjoyable and the jokes are hit or miss. Most viewers should find enough hits within the jokes to find A Touch of Genie worth watching. A Touch of Genie isn't the best hardcore adult comedy ever made, however, fans of the genre should find A Touch of Genie worth watching.

Vinegar Syndrome has done a stellar job with their Blu-ray and DVD combination package for A Touch of Genie. A Touch of Genie was shot on film and Vinegar Syndrome has used a 2K scan of the original camera negative for this release. A Touch of Genie is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 1080p on the Blu-ray and 480p on the DVD. The image quality on the release is outstanding. There are minimal instances of artifacts and print damage with some grain. The colors in the film are vibrant and beautiful. The image quality on this release is about as good as it gets.

A Touch of Genie is presented on the Blu-ray with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 monaural audio track and on the DVD with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track. Neither audio track appears to have any issues at all. The audio sounds a little flat but that is likely due to the monaural nature of the original audio tracks. The dialog in the film is clear and easy to understand at all times.

Vinegar Syndrome has included several extras on this release, which both appear on the Blu-ray and the DVD. “A Touch of Eric” is a video interview with Eric Edwards that runs for 23-minutes. “All About Joe” is a 26-minute piece where Joseph W. Sarno's biographer Michael Bowen talks about Joseph. The original theatrical trailer is also included on the release.

A Touch of Genie is a cute hardcore feature comedy from director Joseph W. Sarno in the mid-1970s. A Touch of Genie isn't the greatest adult comedy that was made at the time, however, it is amusing and good for some genuine laughs. The sex scenes are well done and the film is worth watching for fans of the genre. Vinegar Syndrome has done an absolutely stellar job with their Blu-ray and DVD combination package for A Touch of Genie with excellent audio and video quality.

The screenshots are taken from the Vinegar Syndrome DVD release for A Touch of Genie.

Past Reviews Interviews