Moonlighting Wives (1966)
Joseph W. Sarno's sharp 1966 drama about suburban desperation, secret lives, and the dangerous business of keeping up appearances.
Moonlighting Wives - Movie Information
- Original Title: Moonlighting Wives
- Release Year: 1966
- Directed by: Joseph W. Sarno
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 26m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: Morgan Picture Corporation
- Production Countries: United States of America
Moonlighting Wives - Plot
An ambitious suburban housewife, tired of forever being in debt, sets up an independent stenography business. Finding that her clients are more interested in the women than the dictation, she revamps it into a discreet and highly profitable prostitution ring made up of neighbourhood wives.
Moonlighting Wives - Trailer
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Moonlighting Wives - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Joseph W. Sarno
Main Cast
- Tammy LaTour
- Gretchen Rudolph
- John Aristedes
- Fatima
- Joe Santos
- Jackie Farrel
- Sue Gibson
- Joe Jenckes
- Sharya Lee
- Jody Lynn
Writers
- Joseph W. Sarno
Moonlighting Wives - FAQs
What is Moonlighting Wives about?
Moonlighting Wives follows an ambitious suburban housewife who, fed up with mounting debt, launches a stenography service. When she realises her clients want more than dictation, she quietly pivots the business into a discreet and lucrative prostitution ring staffed by neighbourhood wives.
Who directed Moonlighting Wives?
Joseph W. Sarno directed Moonlighting Wives. Sarno was a prolific filmmaker in the American sexploitation genre throughout the 1960s and 1970s, known for bringing a surprisingly character-driven sensibility to low-budget adult fare. Moonlighting Wives is considered one of his more socially pointed works.
Who are the main actors in Moonlighting Wives?
The cast is led by Tammy LaTour as the scheming Mrs. Joan Rand and Gretchen Rudolph as Nancy Preston. They're joined by John Aristedes, Fatima, Joe Santos as Detective Hank, Jackie Farrel, Sue Gibson, Joe Jenckes, Sharya Lee, and Jody Lynn.
When was Moonlighting Wives released?
Moonlighting Wives was released on September 21, 1966, in the United States. It arrived during the height of the American sexploitation boom, a period when independent filmmakers were producing low-budget adult dramas for grindhouse and drive-in circuits across the country.
Where can you stream Moonlighting Wives?
You can watch Moonlighting Wives on FlixFling (available as a flat-rate subscription, rental, or purchase), Cultpix (flat-rate subscription), and Film Movement Plus (flat-rate subscription). It's also available with ads on Mometu, giving you several flexible options depending on how you prefer to watch.
Is Moonlighting Wives based on a true story?
Moonlighting Wives is not based on a specific true story. It's an original screenplay by director Joseph W. Sarno. That said, the film taps into very real mid-1960s anxieties about suburban domesticity, financial pressure, and the hidden lives of housewives, giving it a grounded, socially observant feel.
What films are similar to Moonlighting Wives?
If you enjoyed Moonlighting Wives, you might also like Little Children (2006), The Virgin Suicides (2000), Thelma & Louise (1991), and Vivre Sa Vie (1962). For something closer in tone and era, Alanis (2017) and Òlòtūré (2019) explore related themes of women navigating exploitation and survival.
How long is Moonlighting Wives?
Moonlighting Wives runs for 86 minutes, making it a lean, compact watch at just under an hour and a half. It's a brisk runtime that suits the film's tight, character-focused narrative without overstaying its welcome.
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