Desperate for money to get out of town and join her young daughter, Princess (Season Hubley) walks the streets. Hollywood Boulevard is full of danger. None worse than Ramrod (Wings Hauser) a merciless dressed in cowboy duds and not afraid to kill. Having murdered one of Princess’s associates, she finds herself shocked and angry. On the case is Tom (Gary Swanson), a seasoned vice cop who’s willing to use Princess as bait to catch Ramrod.
Ramrod is arrested but escapes vowing revenge on Princess for setting him up. Unaware of his escape, she is seen meeting with her johns who are interested in all types of sex acts. Including “golden showers” and foot play. One older john has her dressed for her wedding day, while he’s dressed as a corpse, complete with a coffin. Eventually, Princess is caught by Ramrod, who enjoys performing genital mutilation.
Directed by Gary Sherman, Vice Squad divided critics upon its release in 1982 but found success at the box office. While it’s easy to write Vice Squad as exploitive, the excellent cast and cinematography by Oscar winner John Alcott elevates the material. The criminally underrated Wings Hauser is psychotic, sometimes going overboard. Gary Swanson and Season Hubley give their characters a real sense of humanity in a sea of craziness.
Based on real Hollywood vice cases, Vice Squad was one of the first films that attempted to capture life on the street, both the cops and the streets they work on. A favorite of Stanley Kubrick (who won an Oscar for his work on Barry Lyndon), cinematographer John Alcott brings the grimy look of Hollywood Boulevard to life.
Sourced from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, is the cleanest Vice Squad has ever looked. Delivering realistic grime in every frame, the film grain is nicely resoled. While the film takes place at night, colors are surprisingly vivid. Whether its blues or the blood reds, it all shines. Blacks are appropriately inky.
The sound mix is available in either 2.0 lossless stereo or 5.1 surround, both preserve the intensity of the surroundings. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise throughout.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
- NEW!! Audio Commentary Filmmaker Steve Mitchell, the Writer/Director of Wings Hauser: Working Class Actor
- Audio Commentary by Director Gary Sherman and Producer Brian Frankish
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- NEW!! Audio Commentary Filmmaker Steve Mitchell, the Writer/Director of Wings Hauser: Working Class Actor
- Audio Commentary by Director Gary Sherman and Producer Brian Frankish
- TV and Radio Spots
- Theatrical Trailer
DISC 3 (BLU-RAY):
- Tracking the Beast: Interview with Actor Gary Swanson
- Of Poltergeists and Neon Lights: Interview with Director Gary Sherman
- Hollywood Magic: Interview with Producer Brian Frankish
- The Roots of Reality: Interview with Actress Beverly Todd
- Catching a Killer: Interview with Actor Pepe Serna
- Princess Driver: Interview with Actor Michael Ensign
- Hollywood Streetwalking: Vice Squad Filming Locations