The Amazing Transplant (1971)

Why has mild-mannered Arthur Barlen suddenly turned into a psychotic rapist? The boy could barely look a woman in the eye before and now he’s tearing off skirts like a kid opening presents on Christmas. Could it be that bizarre PENIS transplant he had a few months ago? In real life, no. In the movies, capital letters YES! Yep, it’s the old Hands of Orlac story, in which an organ transplant from a psychotic donor turns the recipient into a psycho, too.amazing-trans

Calling the shots here is the fascinating Doris Wishman, one of the few women directing low-budget sexploitation films in this era and one of the most eccentric directors ever in that genre. Most of her trademarks are here, including the completely dubbed dialogue and her tendency to rarely film the face of whoever’s speaking. She’ll shoot anything but that. Their feet, their knees, their shoulders, the wall, the floor, anything. It makes it easier to add in the dubbed dialogue later. Her intentions were practical, the effect is eerie and bizarre.

This film follows a detective who interviews young Arthur’s victims, allowing us, of course, to see a string of rape flashbacks that mostly play as normal softcore sex scenes. They also get tiresome by, oh, about the fourth one. The scene where he ravages a lesbian, as she makes disgusted gagging noises the whole time due to her revulsion for men, is the highlight.