Au Pair Girls (1972)

The Au Pair Girls is somewhat dated but the dialogue is so bad it is entertaining. The girls show off their bodies throughout the film in the most contrived and "innocent ways". One of the Star Au Pair Girls was played by Actress Gabrielle Drake. She played a staring role in the Gerry Anderson TV series UFO as Lt Gay Ellis. Gabrielle Drake bares all in the Au Pair Girls. It is worth a look.

This film falls into the category of a victimless 'guilty pleasure'. Sort of like sneaking in a chocolate bar while you're on a diet. The Au Pair Girls is British exploitation, plain and simple, with a nifty 70's twist. It was a hoot just to see the various fashions and hairstyles that were popular at the time. And a bit of a surprise to see full frontal nudity, considering the year it was released (1972). There's not much of a plot, it basically covers 24 hours in the lives of 4 young women who arrive in England to start their new lives as au pairs.

Your first tip-off that this film isn't exactly a top shelf production happens about 6 minutes into the movie. As the au pair girls are arriving at the agency, a man directs them to an elevator. To the right, a flight of stairs. As German lovely Christa (Nancie Wait) arrives, you can actually see the shadow of a boom microphone on the wall at the top of the stairs. This gaff is made all the more humorous by the fact that only music is heard at this scene, no dialogue.

I got the film basically for one reason: Gabrielle Drake. I had a terrible crush on her as a kid, watching her in the role of Lt. Ellis, one of the purple-haired dolls on the moonbase in the short-lived sci-fi series 'UFO'. She didn't disappoint here, leaving precious little to the imagination. Le Le May, also known as Nan Lee, Le Le Mai and half a dozen other names, is also an eyeful. The Burma-born beauty had the least 'skin time' of the four, but she had more prominent roles in the cheesy Italian schlock films like 'Man From Deep River', and 'Jungle Holocaust'. Nancie Wait looks nice as the German virgin, Christa. The daughter of the couple who she's staying with, Carole, decides to give her a night she'll never forget by introducing the innocent au pair to rock singer Ricky Strange, an obvious, but laughable imitation of Jim Morrison. In the film's only truly emotional and touching scene, after a passionate fling with Ricky, Christa then sees him fall into the arms of his open-minded girlfriend, the aforementioned Carole, for more lovemaking. Christa collapses in tears, realizing that she has just been used and what was supposed to be a 'special night', has been robbed from her forever. The final au pair, played by Astrid Frank, to me, was the least attractive, as a woman and a character in the movie. After watching her, I have a good idea how all the 'dumb blonde' jokes got started. She was just too stupid to be likeable.

All in all, if you like nostalgic 'naughty' films from the silly 70's, this one should fit the bill nicely. Mostly an excuse for a T&A show, but an enjoyable one.

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I remember seeing this at the pictures (having bunked in, because I was too young).

I thought it was very funny at the time and that Gabrielle Drake was stunning.

Well, that sort of 'Mind Your Language' come 'Adventures of ...' humour has dated beyond recollection of anything amusing.

But it was well worth the dosh just to see Gabrielle Drake in all her glory again.

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Silly stuff in the vein of the Carry On series of extended comedy sketches turned into sometimes laborious movies.

And as such, expect stereotypical characters reciting predictable lines in tried, tested and silly situations.

What makes it intriguing is that the film does not shy away from showing flesh atypically, when a 'risqué' situation arises, instead of alluding to the exposed breast, bottom or pussy, it is just shown, sometimes longer than needed. I imagine for it's era, that was unusual.

And also stereotypically, only the girls are treated in that fashion. I don't recall any male nudity.

Why did I watch it? I think our society's hang-ups around sex and nakedness are problematic, and movies that manifest differently are intriguing.

Is this a movie that alters the conversation in this realm? Only in that by not shying away from showing what is taboo and treating it as normal, albeit with dysfunctional on-screen reactions to those situations.

Bottom line: it's silly and naked girls are shown in silly situations, never explicitly.

Want Au Pair Girls (1972) Discount?

Felt like I was back in the 50's watching "Father Knows Best," or "Leave it to Beaver." If you like nostalgia, this movie's for you.

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