Scum of the Earth, Nubile Nude Babes in Much Distress

When discussing Herschell Gordon Lewis, we mainly discuss nubile beauties in states of undress and in several pieces.  Not that there is anything wrong with this...after all, here in 2021, the relationship between the sexes in America is almost war.  Women want castration...men want pleasure androids.  Both viewpoints are merited.  A toned down but equally brutal movie is Mr. Lewis' 1963 film "Scum of the Earth."  No detached limbs or buckets of blood, but perhaps an accurate (not metaphorical) depiction of the misogyny in America's entertainment industry. 

Sandy (Sandra Sinclair) is a babe and a half.  The unfortunate beauty is now being blackmailed by a porn cabal to pose nude and be raped on film.  Harmon (William Kerwin) is the cynical photographer who must take the pictures and stand around while the beauties get raped and pummeled.  Sandy has an out...find another gal.  She finds the clean cut Kim (Louise Downe).  With Harmon's help, Kim is seduced and conned into doing nude photos.  The cabal has her and threatens to show the pics to her dad if she doesn't get more prurient.  Ajax (Craig Maudslay, Jr.) is the male model who will pummel and rape her on film.  Now Kim is hooked and she will be asked to do so many humiliating things.

As Sandy is weened from her nude modeling career, Kim is pulled in deeper.  Ajax is so willing to work her over and her only hope may be Harmon.  As cynical and unemotional as he tries to be, we see a hint of humanity left inside him.  The photo sessions are dirty and slimy and Kim's descent into porn is quickening.  Now the cabal wants her to pose with other nude beauties and Ajax is getting more unhinged.

Will any of Harmon's remaining humanity bubble to the surface and try to help Kim?  Will Kim escape the world of porn and humiliation?  Will actresses view this film and see it as a warning to an entertainment industry run by Weinstein-like fiends (male and female)?  Gritty and hard to watch, this Herschell Gordon Lewis film is light on bloodshed and heavy on cheese and humiliation.  For a real nice video nasty, see "Scum of the Earth."