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Joseph W. Sarno

Joseph W. Sarno

Director, writer and editor · Died April 26, 2010, aged 89 · Brooklyn, New York, USA

Joseph W. Sarno (March 15, 1921 – April 26, 2010) was an American film director and screenwriter. One of the most prolific and distinctive auteurs to emerge from the proto-pornographic sexploitation film genre of the 1960s, Joe Sarno had written and directed approximately 75 theatrically released feature films in the sexploitation, softcore and hardcore genres as well as a number of  shot-on-video features for the '80s hardcore video market. Sarno, a pioneer of the sexploitation film genre, completed his first adult-oriented feature in 1961. Among his best-known films in the genre are Sin in the Suburbs (1964), Flesh and Lace, The Bed and How to Make It, and Moonlighting Wives (1966). Sarno's work of the sexploitation period is typified by stark chiaroscuro lighting, long takes and rigorous staging. He was also well known for scenarios centering around issues of psycho-sexual anxiety and sexual identity development. During his sexploitation period, Sarno worked with such actors as Uta Erickson, Dyanne Thorne (star of the Ilsa series), Audrey Campbell (Olga's House of Shame series), Michael Alaimo, Patricia McNair, Tod Moore, and his cousin, Joe Santos, who would become a regular on television's The Rockford Files. Beginning in 1968, Sarno's work became somewhat more explicit, predicting the emergence of soft-core. His breakthrough feature Inga (1968), was one of the first X-rated films released in the United States. Other noteworthy soft-core features include Vibrations (1968), Passion in Hot Hollows (1969), Daddy, Darling (1970), Young Playthings (1972), Confessions of a Young American Housewife (1974) and Misty (1975). Sarno was also the director of Deep Throat Part 2 (1974), the R-rated sequel to the hardcore classic Deep Throat. After 1968, Sarno's soft-core work was divided between films produced in the United States and films produced in Europe, principally Sweden, Germany and Denmark. Many of Sarno's European features were made with American backing. In Europe, he was known for having worked with actresses Marie Liljedahl, Christina Lindberg, Helli Louise, and Marie Forså. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joseph W. Sarno, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 15, 1921
Died
April 26, 2010 (aged 89)
From
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Works as
Director, writer and editor
Titles
6 on MovieCove · 99 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

What are Joseph W. Sarno's films like?

Across their 6 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
30%
Self
29%
Power
27%
Survival
9%
Bonds
5%
Deception3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 4 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
4
Melancholic
3
Absurd
3
Dread
2
Romantic
1
Other
3

How their films linger

Unsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Joseph W. Sarno's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 4 of their 6 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joseph W. Sarno's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

99 credits, 6 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Suburban Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Writer

  • Screw the Right Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Hung Jury (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Coming On America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • The Erotic Adventures of Bedman and Throbbin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • The Red Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Hyperkink (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • The Big Pink (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Suzie Creamcheese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Sex Starved (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • On Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Ball in the Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Right Tool for the Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Panting at the Opera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Sacrilege (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Editor · Screenplay

  • The Flirt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • The Girls of the B.L.O. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • The Horneymooners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Double Agent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Fresh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Party Doll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Sexpionage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Sexpot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Bedroom Thighs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Blow by Blow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Firebox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Oversexed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Porked! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Shacking Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Taste of Pink (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Tight Delight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Little Oral Annie Takes Manhattan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Writer

  • Hot Stuff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Dirty Blonde (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Inside Little Oral Annie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director · Writer

  • Stray Cats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • SS Operation Wolf Cub (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Silky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Deep Inside Annie Sprinkle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Tigresses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Writer

  • All About Gloria Leonard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Come Blow the Horn! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Love's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Writer

  • Inside Jennifer Welles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director

  • The Trouble with Young Stuff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director

  • The Honey Cup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Writer

  • Misty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Slippery When Wet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Abigail Leslie Is Back in Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Editor · Screenplay

  • Butterfly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Writer

  • Laura's Toys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • The Switch or How to Alter Your Ego (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Confessions of a Young American Housewife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • A Touch of Genie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Bibi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Writer

  • Deep Throat Part II(1974)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Plaything(1973)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Sleepy Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director · Writer

  • Swedish Wildcats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Writer

  • Young Playthings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Writer

  • Siv, Anne & Sven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Writer

  • Daddy, Darling(1970)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Young, Erotic Fanny Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Karla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Passion in Hot Hollows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Writer

  • Marcy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • The Indelicate Balance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Writer

  • Vibrations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Writer

  • The Layout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Writer

  • The Wall of Flesh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Editor · Screenplay

  • The Seduction of Inga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Writer

  • To Ingrid, My Love, Lisa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Writer

  • All the Sins of Sodom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Inga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Writer

  • Desire Under The Palms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director

  • Odd Triangle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director

  • Deep Inside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Love Rebellion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Screenplay

  • My Body Hungers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Writer

  • Bed of Violence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Writer

  • Come Ride the Wild Pink Horse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Anything for Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • The Sex Cycle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Writer

  • Scarf of Mist, Thigh of Satin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Writer

  • The Bed and How to Make It! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Moonlighting Wives(1966)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Swap and How They Make It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Editor · Screenplay

  • The Naked Fog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Screenplay

  • A Sneak Peek at Strip Poker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director

  • Red Roses of Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Skin Deep in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Writer

  • The Love Merchant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Writer

  • Flesh and Lace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director · Writer

  • A-Peeling We Go-Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director

  • Pandora and the Magic Box (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Warm Nights and Hot Pleasures(1964)

    Director · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Sin in the Suburbs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director · Writer

  • Sin You Sinners(1963)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Nude in Charcoal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Director · Writer

Career shape

A full career of 99 titles from 1961 to 2004.

Highest rated

The Devil's Plaything (1973)

Midcredits 17th

Most popular right now

Deep Throat Part II (1974)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing99 of 99: 43 only directing, 56 with another role · typical Midcredits score11thWriting56 of 99: 0 only writing, 56 with another role · typical Midcredits score11thProducing3 of 99: 0 only producing, 3 with another roleEditing16 of 99: 0 only editing, 16 with another role

99 titles, 56 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 56 of them.

By decade

1960s36 · crew1970s24 · crew1980s37 · crew1990s1 · crew2000s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Joseph W. Sarno's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 11th percentile, the median of all 6; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 13th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

13thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 6 titles, by percentile

  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 6 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned2
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · director, writer

Deep Throat Part II (1974)

85th percentile spread · 56% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, writer

The Devil's Plaything (1973)

Midcredits 17th · 28% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 52/100 and the pacing 30/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Joseph W. Sarno work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joseph W. Sarno's MovieCove titles; Joe Santos shares the most, 2.