On the Block

Marilyn Jones plays an aspiring dancer reduced to stripping at a nightclub in Baltimore's famous Redlight District in this gritty thriller. When originally released, this film, shot in vivid neon-absorbing Super 16mm by Erich Roland, offered a nearly documentary-like presentation of the seedy nightclubs and their denizens. Now, however, it serves more as a historical document. In one of the subplots of the film, a venal developer, played by Academy-Award nominee Howard Rollins, Jr., tries to close down "The Block" to build an office complex. Soon after the movie's release, in a case of life imitating art, the city of Baltimore managed to tear down a portion of it to build an office complex. The film also serves historical document in regard to Marilyn Jones' performances. They show the history of striptease in reverse, starting with the modern, more functional, striptease of today and then hearkens back to the classic tease of Burlesque dancing of the type exemplified by Blaze Starr, who makes also makes an appearance in this film. (No, she doesn't get nude!) The plot itself is, in a sense, a subtle retelling of Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" with Marilyn Jones' stripper as Esmeralda, David Caltrider's obsessed detective as Frollo, and Michael Gabel's simple-minded handyman as Quasimodo. This film offers much more than meets the eyes. Check it out if you get the chance!

This film tells the story of an ex-junkie who wants to be a real dancer and her experiences as stripper on Baltimore's notorious red-light district known as the block. This film by Baltimorean Steve Yaeger, who later managed to build a successful career making documentaries about fellow Baltimorean John Waters, is technically proficient, but comes up short in the script and editing departments. It is also a little schizophrenic when it comes to themes. On one hand, the block is a dehumanizing place littered with low-lifes, hookers and drug addicts, but on the other hand, it is a place that deserves to be preserved. This is also one of the few films about a stripper featuring a actress who never shows any skin. Howard E. Rollins Jr. appears for a few minutes, and, if I'm not mistaken, we see more of his skin that we do of lead actress.

I worked on the Block for 2 years. This movie was filmed on the Block and is realistic and accurate in every detail. Everyone of the actors look and act just like the people who actually work (or worked) on the Block back in the day. This is an excellent movie, especially if you are from Baltimore and love "Charm City." This is a credit to director Steve Yeager and probably to the drama department at nearby Towson State College where he attended, I believe. Mr. Yeager appeared in John Water's classic "Pink Flamingos," and I'm sure he learned a lot from meeting those actors in the early 1970's. It is great seeing Blaze Starr appear in this film at her famous 2 O'Clock Club where this story centers around. This is a classic movie that celebrates an historic and storied area.