So you've probably thought to yourself, “Ya know, these giallo films sound really good and all, but what I really want to see is some hot lesbian action.”

NoShame has heard you. Oh have they heard you. NoShame has heard you and has finally released Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (henceforth referred to as Your Vice) on DVD for all to enjoy, uncut and in its original language.

Adding lesbianism to a stylish slasher doesn’t make the film any better, but it is a nice, spicy little ingredient that makes Your Vice, in this writer's opinion, the best giallo film of all time. So how does one make a film of this caliber? Here are the directions:

Take giallo director extraordinarie Sergio Martino, add two gorgeous genre veterans, Edwige Fenech (The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh) and Anita Strindberg (The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail), and stir. Let sit just long enough to steal liberally from the greatest story Edgar Allen Poe wrote, “The Black Cat.” Combine with beautiful country scenery and an absolutely amazing score. Mix thoroughly. Set oven to ‘awesome’ for 96 minutes and serve with a generous helping of spousal abuse and gratuitous violence against animals.

That’s right; Your Vice contains everything you expect of a good giallo, a dash of everything else you could hope for in an exploitation film, with the added bonus of lesbians being brought into the mix. Argento, Fulci, Bava? Who? Martino is where it’s at!

Olivero (Luigi Pistilli) is a writer having difficulty finding inspiration. (Perhaps echoing writer Ernesto Gastaldi, famous for not remembering his own work, and explaining why he turned to stealing from Poe for this film?) Naturally, a surefire cure for writer’s block is to invite a bunch of random people over for a party, publicly humiliate your wife Irina (Anita Strindberg) in front of the guests, and allow people to dance naked on tables to a capella hippie songs. Of course, this also gives you a good reason to show off your mother’s cat, Satan.

Oh, the woes of being a character in a giallo film. What's a battered wife to do? Why nothing, of course. Just let the party turn into the wrap-up for Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, go to the bathroom, and cry.

Meanwhile, Olivero finally gets inspiration for his story, but not until after his clerk lover and his housekeeper (who is also one of many mistresses) wind up murdered. Naturally, in fantastic giallo style. Olivero thinks he will be the prime suspect for these murders, so he decides the best course of action would be to wall the bodies up in his cellar.

Olivero is understandably feeling a little paranoid. After all, his lovers are being massacred and there are bodied hidden in his basement. Still, what inspiration! But before he sets out to pen his none-too self-incriminating novel, “Kill Her and Hide Her in the Cellar Wall”, he gets a visit from his adorable niece, Floriana (Edwige Fenech, playing against type). Floriana is a true man-eater in every sense of the word. An incestuous relationship begins, as well as a steamy relationship between her and Irina. However, this does nothing to quell Irina’s anger at her situation – remember the public humiliation and naked dancing? - which she decides to direct towards the cat. Her decision will ultimately prove to be her undoing.

The story of Your Vice really IS stolen directly from “The Black Cat”, so if you are at all familiar with that story, you already know how this one will end. Where it comes alive though is that, unlike Poe’s story, you are not aware of the murderer. So while Your Vice follows all the standard whodunit cliches giallos are known for, it adds an actual plot that, though soap opera-ish, follows a logical progression from start to finish. Of course, also included is the fantastic direction one expects with a Martino giallo - every scene looks exquisite - surprisingly well-done acting (Edwige is amazing in her minxish turn) and a kick-ass score by Bruno Nicolai.

Presentation
Presented uncut for the first time ever, the 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer on this DVD is completely incredible. I admit to having downloaded the film in the past. It looked like absolute garbage, was cropped, and even the opening sequences were heavily cut. I couldn’t finish watching that version, but this one is nothing less than inspiring in its beauty. The darks are exceptionally dark, and everything contrasts nicely as a result. This is one of the most beautiful DVDs the genre has ever seen. That's saying a lot, as NoShame’s other DVD releases were nothing to sneeze at either. The audio is available in both Italian and English Mono, and English subs are available. You simply can’t go wrong with this release's presentation.

Extras
Unveiling the Vice – (23:04) Interviews with director Sergio Martino, star Edwige Fenech and writer Ernesto Gastaldi. These were recorded during the same sessions as DVDs, but No Shame is really starting to learn how to edit these. Gone are the nagging transitions and repetitious imagery. All three subjects tell about the making of the film and other candid stories. Awesome stuff. Gastaldi has surprisingly interesting bits to add. We also learn that Quentin Tarantino is a big Fenech fan, and who can blame him? She is great camera material, and still is.

Poster and Still Gallery – (1:29) Typical promo gallery with the soundtrack playing in the background.

Trailer Gallery. We sadly don’t get the Your Vice trailer, but we do get the trailers for every other film in the Sergio Martino collection so far. Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail (in English), The Big Alligator River, and Gambling City.

Finally there is the usually awesome booklet. It has some nice original liner notes, while the rest is cribbed from prior releases, bios on Sergio Martino, Edwige Fenech, and Anita Strinberg.

Fin
This was one of my most wanted releases of the year and thanks to No Shame’s perfect presentation and worthy documentary, only one thing needs to be said:

Your Vice is officially an Awesome Movie and a Must Buy the DVD.

And if that doesn’t sell you, well, remember this: it has lesbians.