When I review discs for Cinema Sentries, it is by request. The owner of the site, Gordon, sends out emails from the PR people noting that they have discs for review. When I want something, I make a request, and if I’m lucky, I get a copy of the disc.

I don’t always know exactly why I request something. Sometimes, it is for a film that I already love and want to own on disc. Sometimes it is for a film that I’ve been wanting to see. More often than not, it is for a film I’ve never heard of, but that sounds interesting. I get a lot of films from Kino Lorber and the Warner Archive that are like that. They usually star actors I really like or are from a director I enjoy. I also often request films from the Criterion Collection or Radiance Films because I know they will be great releases, and usually the films are interesting.

And then there are films like Pretty Maids in a Row. This is a sleazy film about sexy teens getting murdered in a high school. It stars Rock Hudson as a football coach/counselor who’s sleeping with half the student body. Angie Dickinson plays a sexy teacher, and Telly Sevalis is the cop trying to solve the murders. It was written by Gene Roddenberry and directed by Roger Vadim. That’s a lot of talent for a skeezy film. Which I guess is why I requested it.

It isn’t good exactly, but it is a fascinating time capsule into a certain period of Hollywood film. You can read my full review at Cinema Sentries.