A solid biography on iconic pinup and bondage cutie Bettie Page has eluded inspired writers and directors for years, and she's been profiled in a series of TV documentaries, notably by E! in 1998. Two independent projects in 2004 - Mary Harron's "The Notorious Bettie Page" and Nico B.'s "Bettie Page: Dark Angel" - attempt to fill that void via the docu-drama genre, although this latter film has a more intriguing genesis.

"Dark Angel" was conceived, produced and directed by Nico B., founder of Cult Epics, a DVD label that already carries several collections of Page's original B&W 16mm films. Covering tease loops, female cat-fighting, spanking, and other fetish sub-genres, Page's bondage films and related photos are the ones that have endured, and are occasionally alluded to in mainstream films (most notably in "Heartbreakers," Bobby Roth's 1984 stud drama).

After being hit with obscenity charges by a Federal court, all negatives and associated materials were destroyed by Klaw, himself having had enough of the unwanted attention. The remains of his work largely comes from collectors, and materials saved by Klaw's key business partner - his sister. Many piecemeal stills are the only traces of several lost bondage loops, and Nico B.'s original intention in 2003 was to film recreations of six missing sessions.

The project eventually mandated a narrative thread (here shot on colour DV) to place the loops in some context, but the real attraction for Page enthusiasts and exploitation fans are the 16mm B&W recreations, which capture Klaw's technical crudeness, and Page's zealous performances. Simultaneously titillating and very silly, the DVD's extras include a gallery of behind-the-scenes footage, some with bondage consultant Julie Simone. There's also a lengthy still gallery of Page mimic Paige Edwards, herself a bondage model.

A behind-the-scenes music extract of a gospel troupe who appear towards the film's end is also present, though the featurette is really just a rear angle of the troupe plus the final wide shot, as they appear in the finished film. More interesting (though sadly brief) is a short series of moments with composer Zack Ryan, as he records two takes of his excellent jazz underscore. Additionally, Ryan's unused music for a nightmare sequence is separately indexed with corresponding film footage.

The DVD transfer is first rate, boasting robust exterior colours. The B&W footage is a very faithful recreation of Klaw's rather straightforward lighting, which nevertheless managed to enhance the attributes of his scantily clad models. Nico B.'s liner notes concisely cover the film's emergence to a feature length film, and the attractive sleeve art is a knockout.

And yes, the part of Irving Klaw is really played by an actor named Dukey Flyswatter.

Cult Epics' genuine Page loops were released in a boxed DVD set containing “Bettie Page: Pin Up Queen," "Bettie Page: Bondage Queen," and "100 Girls By Bunny Yeager." A 2-disc, limited edition of "Bettie Page: Dark Angel" is also available (and reviewed HERE).

© 2004 Mark R. Hasan