DVD Production Notes:
END Films' involvement with this collection comes in the form of two audio commentaries—one for a film called DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS, directed by Gregory Corarito, and one for the Jack Hill oddity MONDO KEYHOLE. Drenner explains, “I always loved MONDO KEYHOLE. This was Jack Hill’s assignment between SPIDER BABY and PIT STOP. He always talked the film down, but I think it has some inspired moments and I was thrilled to moderate his commentary for the film.” Previously, the best-known copy of the film (which was circulated in the mid-1990s) suffered from the final reel actually losing sync, throwing the sound and dialogue completely out-of-whack. This version is, in fact, the never-before-released alternate cut of the film, which Hill himself had never seen. While preparing for the commentary session, Drenner also discovered that this cut of the film was not the one he was familiar with, but rather Producer John Lamb’s alternate version, which ommited most of Hill’s bizarre dream sequences. On the commentary track for MONDO KEYHOLE, there is some mention of Hill’s deleted scenes from the film, which were intended as another DVD special feature, but never made it in time for the final transfer. Maybe another day…
Still, the picture works quite well and will not disappoint those who are looking for entertainment. “Purists need not worry, as there is no real ‘Director’s Cut’ of this film,” explains Drenner. “Jack’s involvement in MONDO KEYHOLE was purely work-for-hire. Fans should not feel they are getting an inferior product with this cut. As Hill himself explains on the commentary, this version works better."
With DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS, Drenner asked his old friend, actor/stunt man Bob Minor, to participate in an audio commentary for this bizarre sex comedy. “Bob nearly lost it when I told him I was doing the DVD for this film," says Drenner. “Bob hoped and prayed that this movie would never show up on cable some night, and now… here it is! He has a great sense of humor about it, though, and we had a good time together. Bob’s a living legend in the film industry, and I was just happy to present his thoughts on this film and about his entire career. Film history fans will want to listen to this one.” Another note of interest for fans is the inclusion of big bust model Roberta Pedon in this film—her only acting role. According to Drenner, “I was also excited to discuss some of the information about Ms. Pedon that existed in scattered forms on the Internet. After completing the DVD, I discovered that nearly all of the information that I had double- and tripled-checked about her life was false. Still, I hope this stirs up interest in the buxom, baby-faced starlet, in hopes of someday getting the true story of this growing cult icon.” This DVD release of DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS marks its official U.S. home video debut.
Play a clip with running commentary
And finally, Drenner provides an audio introduction to THE MERMAIDS OF TIBURON. Although a full commentary with Romeo Carrey (son of MERMAIDS star Timothy Carrey) was planned, it was not possible to complete it in time for the DVD release. (Both the ad copy on the package and all subsequent press for the film have been printed to the contrary.) Still, fans have reason to rejoice with this release. As was the case with DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS, this DVD release marks the first time MERMAIDS OF TIBURON has seen the light of day on home video. Additionally, viewers will have two different versions of the film to choose from: a nude version and a non-nude version!
The three films mentioned here came from the estate of John Lamb, who passed away in 2006. Kit Parker and VCI Entertainment had access to film elements that were untouched for decades and—in some circumstances—poorly cataloged. The versions available in the PSYCHOTRONICA collection represent the best possible presentations, and we commend VCI for releasing them.