Eda Reiss Merin, an American actress, made her mark in the realm of cult cinema with her performances in Knock on Any Door (1949) and House (1986). Born in the early 20th century, she navigated the evolving landscape of film, bringing a distinctive presence to her roles. In Girls of the White Orchid (1983), she further explored the boundaries of genre, contributing to the film's exploration of eroticism and intrigue. Merin's work across these films highlights her versatility and the lasting impact she has made in the world of cult and exploitation cinema.
Girls of the White Orchid
In Los Angeles, the naive and lonely burger waitress and aspirant singer Carol Heath finds an advertisement in the newspaper with a job opportunity in Tokyo. She has a meeting with the agents, the American Cavanaugh and the Japanese Shiro ; she signs the contract in English and Japanese and travels to Japan to work at the White Orchid night-club. She shares a hotel room with a dancer and sooner she discovers the scheme of prostitution in the club that belongs to Yakuza. Alone, without money and her passport, she is protected by Shiro, but pressed by the managers Madame Mori and her husband Hatanaka to be receptive to client's proposals. Meanwhile her former boyfriend returns to LA and seeks her out.
