Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Too Naughty to Say No Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 17, 2018

There’s a heart-stopping moment in the opening titles for 1985’s “Too Naughty to Say No.” While a screenplay credit is collected by director Victor Nye, story inspiration is provided by the Marquis De Sade, the famous French writer who generated a reputation for violently charged works of eroticism, often detailing the pleasures of pain. The credit suggests something at least partially unhinged to come, but the good news is that “Too Naughty to Say No” isn’t completely obsessed with suffering, more interested in creepy encounters and taboo imagery, with Nye using De Sade as a foundation for his own sexual obsessions, clearing away most opportunity for storytelling to focus on bizarre couplings and kinks, loading the film up with all kinds of seductive encounters and vague threats.

Betty (Angel) is a Catholic school student who’s confused about a biblical passage, getting lost in her hazy afternoon thought process, falling asleep. Awakening inside a dream realm of sexual possibilities, Betty is guided by pal Catherine (Ginger Lynn) to the dark side, eventually finding her way to Madame Rose (Lisa De Leeuw), who offers the young, impressionable virgin to her collection of clients, with men bidding on a chance to take her innocence. The night only gets weirder for Betty, who has to navigate cops, predators, and protectors to save her sanity, tempted into the pleasures of the flesh during her odyssey of awakening.

The plot of “Too Naughty to Say No” is as thin as the white ceremonial outfit Betty wears during her dream adventure. The screenplay sets up only the basics, introducing Betty as a slightly dim teenager struggling with her bible reading, soon slipping into sleep, which unlocks something primal within. The journey is eased along by Catherine, who introduces Betty to her older lover (perennial creeper Jamie Gillis), who promptly teaches the girl a thing or two about domination. The character eventually graduates to the brothel setting, welcomed into the world of voyeurism, but the centerpiece of the movie is found with her auction, with Madame Rose triggering a bidding war for Betty’s virginity, with a senator, a Hollywood producer, a Nazi, and a priest all vying for the prize. It’s this type of shock value that generally drives “Too Naughty to Say No,” which soon graduates to exhibitionism and semi-rape, and, for pure kitchen sink value, an undertaker (Harry Reems) gets in on the action during Betty’s brief detour into death.

Too Naughty to Say No Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation showcases some judder during the main titles, and speckling is common throughout the viewing experience, but the source doesn't display any pronounced issues beyond slight age-related damage. Colors are tastefully refreshed, with symbolic reds cranked up on lipstick and solid, more virginal hues retain their intent, including sharp whites for Betty's dream outfit. Skintones are natural and consistent, maintaining bodily display. Detail is on the soft side at times, but delivers a look at textured kink wear and decorated sets. Facial particulars are communicative. Delineation is secure, with evening events supported. Grain is fine and filmic.

Too Naughty to Say No Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix isn't big of dialogue exchanges, but mild damage disrupts a few passages. Sexual response is the focal point of the track, and moaning participants are understood in full. Scoring efforts are acceptable, with adequate instrumentation, helping to understand the dramatic arc of innocence finding its way into dangerous situations.

Too Naughty to Say No Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Too Naughty to Say No Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Too Naughty to Say No" is wall-to-wall sex, which has its appeal, finding the production aiming to please as much as possible, keeping Betty running around in the dream world, which presents Nye with plenty of opportunities to position his long roster of adult film actors. Dramatically, there's not much about "Too Naughty to Say No" that's remarkable. It's more successful as a sensorial dip into the waters of perversion, offering game cast to explore a range of stimulation that remains in line with De Sade's interests in the ways of desire, but thankfully stays away from nightmarish extremes, remaining calm and focused on delivering as much bedroom action as possible.