The Naughty Victorians: An Erotic Tale of a Maiden’s Revenge – (1975)

Don’t let the occasional “British” label fool you—this playful adaptation of the Victorian erotic novel A Man with a Maid was actually made in New York. The story follows Jack, a scheming gentleman whose basement is less of a dungeon and more of a Rube Goldberg machine of bondage devices, all designed to trap unsuspecting women into… well, let’s call it “enthusiastic compliance.” Despite the not-consensual setup, the film leans into pure camp: the dialogue is delightfully silly, the acting wonderfully over-the-top, and the jaunty Gilbert & Sullivan soundtrack so hilariously mismatched that it’s hard to take anything too seriously.

First in Jack’s sights is his own fiancée, Alice—a “good girl” played by the charming and subtly built brunette Susan Sloan, a cult favorite among seasoned collectors. Jack’s exaggerated gasp, “The Himalayas!”, when he undresses her is pure comedy. And, in classic storytelling fashion, once Alice is introduced to Jack’s world, she’s all in (feminists, consider yourselves forewarned). Next up is Molly, Alice’s maid, with Alice happily assisting. With two converts in tow, Jack sets his sights higher: the snobbish social climber Lady Bunt (Sarah Nicholson, also known as Jennifer Jordan) and her lanky, teenage daughter Cicely soon find themselves tangled in his contraptions. But as Alice informs us in a prim voiceover, Jack’s hubris finally catches up with him—and let’s just say the tables are turned with poetic justice.

Technically, the film is quite polished, especially considering nearly the entire runtime unfolds in a single basement set. The cast attempts British accents with about as much success as a college theater production, and many of the women have that smart, relatable “college actress” vibe of the era.

A heads-up for viewers: out of its 85-minute run, only around seven minutes contain explicit material. The rest plays like a clever, risqué comedy with a nudie-cutie spirit—just with stronger performances. Susan Sloan and other cast members like Beerbohm Tree (who clearly knows his way around a scene) appeared in several New York adult films of the ’70s, while Nicholson enjoyed a prolific career into the ’80s.

Thanks to witty direction and buoyant performances, what could have been uncomfortable subject matter becomes a light, farcical romp. It may move too slowly—and show too little—for some hardcore genre fans, but for those who enjoy a side of wit with their vintage tease, it’s a solid 7/10 and a sure recommendation.