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Drama Cult Classic

A married woman faces indecent proposals when her husband's fortunes wane in 1960s New York.

THE LOVE MERCHANT

A SPECTACLE OF DECADENCE

1966 · 1h 20m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

Biker Click procures lovely willing young women for decadent millionaire playboy Kendall Harvey III. Kendall sets his sights on Peggy Johns as his next conquest, but the married and straight-laced Peggy turns down his proposal. However, after her husband's advertising business finds itself in a financial slump, Kendall offers to help out but only if Peggy agrees to be his intimate companion for two days.

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Quick Answer

What is The Love Merchant about?

The Love Merchant is a 1966 American drama film directed by Joseph W. Sarno about a married woman pressured into a compromising situation by a wealthy playboy after her husband's business falters. It explores themes of exploitation and desire in the world of nightlife and personal desperation.

Programmer's Pick

Joseph W. Sarno's The Love Merchant doesn't pull its punches, setting a drama of sexual negotiation against the lurid pulse of 1960s nightlife. If you like your moral dilemmas with a side of go-go dancing and a heavy pour of exploitation, this one's all business.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In the shadowy corners of New York nightlife, biker Click supplies beautiful young women to the decadent millionaire Kendall Harvey III. When Kendall turns his predatory attention to Peggy Johns, a married and straight-laced woman, she initially refuses his advances. However, as her husband's advertising business begins to fail, Peggy is confronted with an indecent proposal: Kendall will save their financial situation, but only if Peggy agrees to spend two days as his intimate companion. The Love Merchant delves into the transactional nature of desire and desperation, set amid a backdrop of go-go dancers, smoky bars, and the underbelly of urban exploitation.

Details & Specs

Director
Joseph W. Sarno
Writer
Joseph W. Sarno
Release
1966
Runtime
1h 20m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Drama

Cast & Crew

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Director: Joseph W. Sarno Writer: Joseph W. Sarno
PM Patricia McNair Peggy Johns (as Loraine Claire) TM Todd Moore Kendall Harvey III Louis Waldon Louis Waldon Click (as Jim Chisholm) GW George Wolfe Roger Johns JM Joanna Mills Bobbi PP Patti Paget Polly Fields Peggy Steffans Peggy Steffans Valery (as Cleo Nova) Michael Alaimo Michael Alaimo Vince (as Michael Lawrence) PM Phil Mason Gig (as Philip Mason) June Roberts June Roberts Go-Go Girl (as Robin Marks) Jonas Mekas Jonas Mekas Lounge Patron

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Why Cult

Sarno Signature Exploitation

Directed and written by Joseph W. Sarno, a key architect of American sexploitation, this drama dives headfirst into taboo territory.

Go-Go Nightlife

Bar scenes, go-go dancers, and a cast of shady characters bring the seedy allure of 1960s urban nightlife to life.

Indecent Proposal Plot

The film centers on a married woman facing a moral and financial crossroads when offered a compromising deal by a powerful man.

Subversive Sexual Politics

Themes of prostitution, adultery, and exploitation are explored with a frankness that pushed boundaries in its day.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was The Love Merchant released? +

The Love Merchant was released in 1966.

Who directed The Love Merchant? +

The Love Merchant was directed by Joseph W. Sarno.

How long is The Love Merchant? +

The Love Merchant has a runtime of 80 minutes.

What genre is The Love Merchant? +

The Love Merchant is a drama film.

Where can I watch The Love Merchant? +

You can watch The Love Merchant on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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