Anthology Film Archives

THE FILMS OF JOSEPH SARNO

October 29 – October 31

In light of his death this past April, Anthology offers this tantalizing tribute to New York sexploitation legend Joseph W. “Joe” Sarno (1921-2010). The writer and director of literally dozens of low-budget erotic features targeted at the 1960s ‘adults only’ film market, Sarno is one of the true pioneers of celluloid erotica and one of sexploitation’s most sincere and critically-celebrated stylists. Join us for this rare program of four Sarno sexploitation classics, including his first-ever dramatic effort, NUDE IN CHARCOAL (1961), a recently discovered uncensored print of the wildly successful MOONLIGHTING WIVES (1966), and his soul-searching soft-core melodrama CONFESSIONS OF A YOUNG AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE (1974). We are also pleased to host a screening of Sarno’s genre-defining classic THE BED AND HOW TO MAKE IT! (1966) with three of the film’s cast members in person on Friday, October 29, including Peggy “Cleo Nova” Steffans, the director’s widow and long-time collaborator.

Organized in collaboration with Sarno biographer Michael Bowen, who will be on hand to introduce all evening screenings!
Special thanks to Peggy Steffans, William Sarno, Steven Morowitz, Arthur Morowitz, Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan, Tod Moore, Myron ‘Mo’ Odegaard, as well as to Oliver Franklin, Lars Nilsen & Tim League (American Genre Film Archive), and Michael Bowen.
The theatrical rights for INGA are provided courtesy of Retro Seduction Cinema, who have also released DVD versions of a wide selection of Sarno’s films; for more info, visit www.alternativecinema.com.

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