Moonlighting Wives

From 1934 until the late 1960s, you couldn't get away with much in American films. Sex and debauchery were only occasionally alluded to...but only in the most indirect way--all due to the strengthened Production Code. However, a small number of independent films, usually couched as 'educational', were able to slip in under this code. "Moonlighting Wives" is clearly one of these films--with a strongly sexual plot. However, due to local obscenity laws, despite being about prostitution, the film really doesn't show much in the way of skin. Yes, it was clearly exploitational but the film really isn't that spicy--especially by current standards.

"Moonlighting Wives" is based on a real life suburban prostitution ring that was exposed in 1964. Housewives all earned extra money by working part-time jobs as stenographers--or at least that was the cover. Instead, the women were part-time prostitutes--operating in a very professional manner. How close this film is to the real story, I have no idea. However, it's very, very obvious that the film was made on a shoestring budget--with mostly non-actresses and a very cheesy lounge-style soundtrack. Despite this, the film is amazingly watchable and reasonably well made for what it is. Sure, some of the acting is pretty bad--but on the whole, not that bad considering the sort of film it is. Overall, not a very good film but entertaining nevertheless! My biggest quibble? The AWFUL singing at the end of the film! It made my dogs bark!

As I mentioned, most of the folks in the film were not professionals (at least when it came to acting). However, Joe Santos plays a detective in the movie--rather similar to the role he later played on "The Rockford Files".

Oh, and lastly, the print for this film is just terrible--faded and very scratchy. When my wife saw it, she asked 'why is it raining INSIDE that house?' because the print was THAT bad!