Sometimes, older and lesser-known films find a second life on videocassette.  Small Town Girls, which has been released on video in the past, is being re-released by VCX this month in a colorful new box that enhances the image of this lustful, if a bit lifeless movie.

Small Town Girls, adequately directed by Tom Janovich, at first looks like a film with an interesting plot. But after about 15 minutes of story development, we get a complete sexathon, with one erotic scene after another.  The story on the other hand, goes nowhere.

The editor of Play Around Magazine has developed a “Sex Queen Fantasy Contest,” where four finalists will compete for a $500,000 prize.  Each of the four ladies from small American towns (Serena, Shirley Wood, Dorothy LeMay and Valerie Darlyn) gets $5,000 in start-up money to develop and fulfill her own fantasy. Then she must document it on paper for the editor’s (Harry Freeman) scrutiny.  In addition, four men from the magazine are sent out to follow the girls in order to verify the fantasies.

Then we get lesbian sex in a car and on a sundeck, Dorothy LeMay strung upside down and raped at knifepoint, sex on a yacht, steamy group sex in a tarot room, dildos in a limo and more.  This type of vignette X-rated film has been tried many times before and Small Town Girls succeeds more than it fails. Unfortunately, some very dumb dialogue and stiff acting by a few of the supporting players takes away from the overall effectiveness.

Luckily, though, you mainly get sex, and the limp plot is less than bothersome. Serena, Darlyn and Wood are all competent in their respective roles and the sex scenes are handled tactfully.  But Dorothy LeMay, that fiery redhead with a shapely body, deserves star billing.  When forced to take it in any of three orifices, Dorothy does so professionally. If she’s tied up with leather straps and in pain, you believe the pain.  Likewise, when she screams in ecstasy, you know those orgasmic juices are flowing.  Ms. LeMay’s been delegated to supporting roles throughout much of her career, but would do well in a starring role.