After what seems like well over a year in production, Penthouse finally joins Playboy, Electric Blue and the short-lived Hustler in the men’s-magazine-on-tape sweepstakes.  Delivering nothing controversial (in terms of subject) or earth-shattering (in terms of style), The Girls Of Penthouse surfaces as a disappointing skinny-dip into an ocean desperately in need of a tidal wave.

Beautifully photographed in muted tones, the tape presents six short vignettes o a variety of gorgeous women with model looks, discovering the joys of living out their erotic fantasies – accent on lesbian sex and masturbation.  Each segment adapts a different exotic setting: one’s in a western saloon, another in a spacious mansion, and yet another takes pale in a neon-lit new wave-styled room where even The Terminator would feel comfortable.

Essentially, The Girls Of Penthouse is a bunch of photo essays coming to life.  Fine.  But once these gals are animated, they’re nothing special.

This is a classy production.  A classy, ho-hum production.  The girls are sweet, sure.  But your $60.00 is better off spent grabbing a few leftover copies of the Vanessa Williams Penthouse issue.

We’ve come to expect something more substantial from Mr. Guccione – not necessarily controversial, but surely more daring, braver and dynamic.  Not just a slow, slick softcore sex show.

Be Bold Bob.  You can do lots better.  Video really needs people with the kind of chutzpah you’ve got.  As it stands, however, The Girls Of Penthouse plays like a Girls Of MTV without their clothes on.