Olga's House of Shame is not a good film by any measure. And it must be said us moderns-with such vast depths of pornography at our fingertips-will find little titillating in Olga's House of Shame. Indeed these days its S&M aspects could probably sneak into a CBS primetime serial without anyone batting an eyelash. The "punishments" are hilariously poorly executed to the point that they feel almost charming. Pointy instruments are moved within six inches of grimacing women, whipping never seems to make contact, and although Olga looks good strutting around in her jodhpurs, the film made me doubt she could even dominate a conversation.
But that's what makes Olga's House of Shame so fun! If the film was more realistic, you'd instead feel sad knowing that there are men who enjoy watching women get sexually abused (even if it is just simulated for the screen). Because this film is so bad though, you are free to enjoy the ride.
And what a ride it is! Olga's House of Shame is a very loosely connected sequence of scenes involving the titular Olga dominating her "girls" when they disobey her. The film uses a classic Mondo-style narrator to present these. Dear god do I love this narrator! This would not be the same film without him cheerfully describing all the "punishments" Olga will be dishing out. He's always just a little too interested as well... The whole thing is like one big wink at the camera as if to say, "hey we know this is some real sick stuff here, but you're into that aren't ya?"
Nor would the film be the same without its soundtrack. Classical music blares as Olga works over her girls with tongs and brands and whatnot. The music is bafflingly out of place, and yet I simply cannot imagine the film any other way. Now every time I hear "Night on Bald Mountain", I will think of my dear Olga!
I have little doubt that I am a terrible person for laughing my way through Olga's House of Shame. For lovers of sexploitation though, Olga's House of Shame is a classic. And deservedly so.
