Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Hard Soap, Hard Soap Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 13, 2020

Director Bob Chinn goes cheeky with 1977’s “Hard Soap, Hard Soap,” his take on network primetime comedies of the era. Instead of digging deep into the possibilities of satirizing such self-aware content, Chinn and writer John Thomas Chapman have an idea, but they don’t develop it in full, aiming for something flatter with the picture, which is boosted by unexpectedly engaged performances, but lacks a defined funny bone.

Sexual frustrations facing Penny (Laurien Dominique) take the homemaker on a wild journey of experimentation in “Hard Soap, Hard Soap,” putting the energized woman on the hunt for satisfaction she can’t get at home. Bedroom encounters remain as expected with Penny’s red-hot urges, but Chinn indulges himself with moments of strangeness, including a group meeting of troubled souls that transforms into an interpretive dance version of “Little Red Riding Hood.”

Hard Soap, Hard Soap Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Vinegar Syndrome makes it clear from the beginning of the viewing experience that restoration efforts were difficult for "Hard Soap, Hard Soap." Different sources were used to bring the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation to HD. Such challenges are found with the first reel, which is taken from a CRI, while the rest is collected from the original negative. The first 20 minutes of the movie wrestles with some softness, but this clears up soon enough, finding the remainder of "Hard Soap, Hard Soap" superbly detailed, inspecting bodily particulars with sometimes intense sharpness, while fine hairs and period costuming are preserved with care. Colors are managed with ideal power, leading with strong primaries that favor reds and yellows, though decorative trends of the 1970s also carry brightness. Delineation is satisfactory. Some understandable wear and tear is detected along the way.

Hard Soap, Hard Soap Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also struggles with source problems, but these are less noticeable. Overall, it's not a sharp track, but intelligibility isn't threatened, preserving dialogue exchanges and carnal responses. Music isn't precise but it delivers as expected, preserving intended moods, including the occasional organ sting to sell the soap opera tone.

Hard Soap, Hard Soap Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Two for the Price of One" (33:24, HD) is a conversation with director Bob Chinn, who shares his introduction to Dick Aldrich, a producer willing to work with him on new and exciting adult film ventures. Electing to stretch a buck, Chinn worked with screenwriter John Thomas Chapman to create "Hard Soap, Hard Soap," inspired by the T.V. show "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," looking to satirize a satire. Production commenced in San Francisco, and Chinn shares a highly bizarre anecdote about his experience in the city with Aldrich, with the men robbed by two prostitutes they picked up for the evening. Casting is covered, with Chinn hiring a Fisherman's Warf street performer to complete his attempt at the surreal for "Hard Soap, Hard Soap," adding some mime work to the group therapy scene. Chinn also describes the chance to shoot on 35mm, also working fast on soundstages. "Disco Lady" is also inspected, giving Chinn a challenge to make a picture for $5,000 in two days. The casting of Rhonda Jo Petty is detailed, along with attempts to stretch the effort's runtime to one sellable hour.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:45, HD) is included.

Hard Soap, Hard Soap Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Actors come through with authority in "Hard Soap, Hard Soap," giving the feature some real spark at times, committing to the whole experience when Chinn seems hesitant to really push forward with broadness. It's a fun movie, but it also doesn't live up to its potential.