The Naked Zoo

Director - William Grefe (Sting of Death, Death Curse of Tartu)

Starring - Steve Oliver (Werewolves on Wheels, The Bloody Slaying of Sarah Ridelander), Rita Hayworth (The Wrath of God, The Bastard), and Fay Spain (The Godfather: Part II, Night Gallery)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Drama

Tagline - "The wicked games young swingers play..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As I work my way through the He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe I find myself seriously having a good time.  I thought the set would be camp drive-in era monster movies but after the first two films I've worked my way through three drug-fueled films about drug dealing, drug abuse, and murder.  The Hooked Generation is a great film but the Psychedelic Priest really hit it off with me.  Now, I'm finishing the third film in the set that follows the same themes which is 1970's The Naked Zoo which features a guest appearance from one of my favorite bands Canned Heat.  

     The film follows bachelor Terry (Oliver) who is an author that is struggling financially but has used his sex appeal and charm to get his way through life with parties, sex, and drugs.  If necessary murder is an option as well but he prefers to fuck his way out of any situation.

     I was riding a high in some regards going into The Naked Zoo.  I was extremely impressed with The Psychedelic Priest and couldn't wait to the Naked Zoo especially once I discovered it had a small appearance from Canned Heat.  It wasn't a bad film.  In fact, I did enjoy it for the most part, but I did find it to be a little dull at times.  As you guessed it, it feels like it was rushed in several scenes which is something that is fairly common in Grefe's films.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  Oliver is inconsistent in his performance.  At times he delivers a seriously great performance but at other times he acts as if he is just tired and ready for the film to end.  I feel like this may be a result of the rushed production.  The supporting cast is the same way.  In some scenes they deliver fantastic performances and then other scenes they feel completely drained and uninterested.  The story for this one is all over the place.  Rita Hayworth's scenes were filmed differently from everything else and are added at random times which does nothing for the film while we bounce between each sex/drug use scene and the next.  It's chaotic at times and the story is difficult to follow.  However, if you stick with it you can find some fun in it.  Finally, the film does have a death or two but there is no blood or enjoyable practical effects.  Overall, The Naked Zoo is not the best film in the set but it doesn't disappoint and really does work as another great example of counter culture cinema of the late 60s and early 70s.