AllMovie

This entry in producer Roger Corman's popular cycle of "nurse" movies is a good example of New World Pictures' early output, balancing exploitation staples like sex and action with a dash of social commentary and some artsy filmmaking techniques. Private Duty Nurses doesn't dish up as much kitschy entertainment as the other films in the series but offers enough interesting moments to make it a worthwhile time capsule for b-movie fans. Writer/director George Armitage cleverly weaves several issues of the day into his script (including affirmative action, Vietnam veteran stress disorders and environmental poisoning) while still managing to keep a tight pace by rhythmically cutting back and forth between the storylines of each nurse. In terms of acting, there aren't any outstanding individual performances but the actors work well together and the lack of familiar faces enhances the film's often documentary-like feel. The finished film never hits the kinetic heights that someone like Jack Hill might have brought to this material but Private Duty Nurses is well-crafted enough to make a modest, entertaining little time-killer for exploitation film fans.