AllMovie

Vintage sleaze from veteran roadshow man David F. Friedman, this grimy little film with the lyrical moniker plays roughly with the notion of "no means no." Written and produced by Friedman (he also pops up in two brief cameos), A Smell of Honey, A Swallow of Brine? is a film that presupposes an all-male audience, like a dirty joke told among misogynists at a smoky bar. Dealing with the frustration of a reluctant female is something most men can relate to, and Friedman's script gives vent to those feelings through the menacing temptress Sharon, who purposefully raises her men to fever pitches just to see them panic when she cries rape. Unfortunately, the picture begins with a blunt scene that very clearly depicts a panting Romeo who refuses to stop when Sharon begs him to get off; regardless of her motives, a crime is committed, and it's difficult to accept the film's attempt to place the blame solely on the victim. Stacey Walker is seductive indeed as Sharon, with a wicked smile that promises a lot more than she delivers and plenty of excuses to strip nude and provocatively pose. She isn't as successful when the script calls for her to yell at the top of her lungs, and her maniacal laugh is particularly forced and wooden. Director B. Ron Elliott and cinematographer Art Radford prove that they're putting some thought into their work with a handful of well-framed shots, though it appears that the budget forced them to use every take, regardless of technical quality. For the most part, the viewer will be assaulted with blatant chauvinism, like Paula's assertion that all women are "bitches" sometimes ("It's just part of being female, I guess"), and single entendre suggestion like Sharon sucking and licking a Coke bottle while staring at a rock & roll singer's ample crotch. Television actor Sam Melville makes his film debut here under the assumed name Neville Coward. Friedman first cast the Texas-born Stacey Walker as an English courtesan in The Notorious Daughter of Fanny Hill; she returned to her hometown after wrapping A Smell of Honey, A Swallow of Brine?, retiring from pictures despite interest from more than one Hollywood producer.