SCHOOLGIRL
REPORT #4: WHAT DRIVES PARENTS TO DESPAIR (1972)Director: Ernst Hofbauer
Impulse Pictures
SCHOOLGIRL
REPORT #4: WHAT DRIVES PARENTS TO DESPAIR (1972)Since Impulse Pictures' release of SCHOOLGIRL REPORT Volume 1 in early 2007, fans of Swedish sex kitten Christina Lindberg have been waiting with baited breath for the release of Teil 4 of the Schulmädchen-Report series. While her appearance is limited to only one segment toward the feature's end, it is by far the film's wildest and most perverse. Sticking to the tried and true formula of faux-investigative journalism that captivated millions all over Germany, director Ernst Hofbauer's and writer Günther Heller's approach is reminiscent of a mondo film. A series of titillating vignettes centered around the notion that if parents had any clue as to the amoral activities that their daughters regularly partook, they would be driven into a deep depression.
The
first tale involves a young girl who, having already repeated the grade once
before, approaches her math teacher with a tantalizing proposition. Aware of
his infatuation with her, she suggests a trade; her body for the answers to
the big math test. A tempting offer, but if the professor is caught could, it
could cost his tenure. The second sultry account centers on a repeat sexual
offender who has been masquerading as a doctor. Passing himself off as a school
physician, the older man is able to gain the trust of his prey, in this instance
a stunning redhead, upon which he administers any number of unorthodox examinations.
The idea of posing as a school doctor is so ingenious that a horny boyfriend
tries the trick at his girlfriend's house, but finds more than he bargained
for when the young girl’s father slips a disc. Next we are introduced
to Caroline, adopted from Africa by parents who could not conceive on their
own. She is constantly tormented and teased by her fellow classmates, jealous
of her dark skin and the attention that it brings from the boys on campus. While
showering after gym glass, Caroline is invited to a party after school, and
while wearisome of such an invite from the same girls who mock her on a daily
bases, she accepts hoping to finally fit in. However, upon her arrival she quickly
discerns that the invitation was a set up. Jealous of the ebony beauty, her
female contemporaries strip her bare and hold her down so that a trio of male
classmates can have their way with her. Caroline’s only hope, her boyfriend
Hans, unable to escort her to the party, arrives fashionably late just in time
to witness the vile act and defend her honor.
The
following segment finds Josef in desperate need of 1,300 marks in order to repair
his father’s car, which he took without permission and wrecked. Quick
to help a friend, Josef’s classmates pool their money at lunch, but barely
have 100 marks combined. Brainstorming over ways to earn money, a small group
of students decide to start prostituting, catering specifically to johns who
favor young schoolgirls. Splitting the money equally, the group quickly begins
to earn more than their weekly allowances but how long can a good think last
before the wrong john discovers the students' decadent endeavor? The fifth story
takes place at a park where a quartet of lovely ladies takes great pleasure
in teasing an older gentleman ogling them from afar. Constantly having to jump
into the cold water to “calm down”, the quirky chap is delighted
when the four beauties decide to guide him into the nearby forest with every
intention of getting back to nature. The amorous foursome was however unaware
of Enrico’s (Rinaldo Talamonti) prowess, as the free spirited love-in
quickly turns into a marathon.
Next
we are introduced to Barbara (Christina Lindberg, THRILLER: THEY CALL HER ONE
EYE), 16, who lives with her brother Wolfgang, 18 with their parents in a four
bedroom house. For some unexplainable reason, the two siblings are forced to
share a room, which proves tortuous for Barbara as her blossoming womanhood
has her hormones in overdrive. The close living quarters have developed incestuous
fantasies within Barbara who feels that her brother is overlooking her beauty
for the harlots he frequently spends time with. While attending the same party
one night, Barbara follows her brother into the bushes to spy on him while he
has sex with another woman. Enticed by the carnal demonstration, Barbara begins
to masturbate, exploring her body only feet away from her older sibling. Confused
by her feelings and beset by her living arrangement, Barbara is tormented by
dreams of her father touching her inappropriately and of nuns stripping bare
before a firing squad (?). Confronting her brother with her feelings, Wolfgang
is initially repulsed, but Barbara is as voluptuous as she is persistent and
it isn't too long before Wolfgang’s will begins to break. The last story,
about a young girl’s reluctance to surcome to the desires of her sex addicted
boyfriend, is rather tame in comparison.
Having
already graced fans with official U.S. releases of ANITA and MAID IN SWEDEN,
Impulse Pictures' latest will no doubt be a welcomed addition to the libraries
of the Lindberg faithful. While her segment is particularly depraved, her pouty
face and buxom figure are in high form. While rather dark, the scene in which
Christina strips bare to fondle herself while spying on her brother, taking
place out in the wilderness at night, is nevertheless an image you won’t
soon forget. The only element that ruins the piece in any fashion is obviously
the incestuous overtones. Released in 1973 through Hemisphere Pictures as CAMPUS
SWINGERS, with the tagline “The minors who major in love”, SCHOOLGIRL
REPORT #4 has found its way stateside in a number of different incarnations,
but almost always heavily edited. When I first saw Schulmädchen-Report
Teil 4, it was on a German language bootleg that featured no subtitles. As I
wrote my own dialogue, based on the film's proceedings, I assumed that Christina
was playing a foreign exchange student, living in tight quarters with her host
family’s son. A short while later when I read that the two where actually
blood related it was a case in which ignorance would have truly been bliss.
Nonetheless, the film in its complete form is a tantalizing and often hilarious
experience, packed with nudity, rousing situations and more nudity.
Presented
in an anamorphic transfer and letterboxed at 1.66:1, SCHOOLGIRL REPORT #4 feels
tailor made to the raincoat crowd. Colors are smooth and fleshtones appear natural,
there are however regular occurrences of grain and blemishes. Such flaws come
and go and while you may notice one or two out of the corner of your eye, the
abundance of female nudity quickly focuses your attention back on track. The
original German language track is included and is damn near flawless, allowing
Gert Wilden’s funky score to permeate throughout the film's filthy proceedings.
Optional English subtitles can be toggled on or off and are clear and easy to
read. As with previous SCHOOLGIRL REPORT releases from Impulse, there are no
extras. While I would probably pass out holding by breath for a box set of all
13 Schulmädchen-Report films, I’m still keeping my fingers crossed
that other Lindberg titles, such as EXPONERAD and LIEBE IN 3 DIMENSIONEN will
one day see official stateside releases. Impulse, I'm looking at you. (Jason
McElreath)