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Release: Apr 18, 2023 - Author: Mike Lowrey - Translator: Mike Lowrey
- external link: IMDB
The most interesting thing about L.A. Nights (as it is called in Germany but is better known as The Thief and the Stripper or Strip 'n Run internationally) is actually its lead actor, screenwriter, and co-director L.P. Brown III. Apparently, this man has been working for decades as a CEO of a US company that develops and manages oil and gas fields. However, this occupation did not seem to fully satisfy or occupy him between 1993 and 2002, as he was involved in various low-budget film productions during that time. Primarily as an actor, but occasionally also as responsible for the story and the film itself. Apparently, he doesn't have any recognizable talent in any of these areas, which is why The Thief and the Stripper is the perfect storm of incompetence, as all three roles of L.P. Brown III are combined here. Cheaply cranked out, with a completely banal gangster story and more or less faded stars like Michael Madsen, Charles Napier, Brion James, and Martin Kove, who sleepwalk through the proceedings. Only Roxana Zal makes a bit of an effort, which is not surprising since she is the only one with a bit of talent, which she apparently retained since her Emmy win for her youth role in Something About Amelia (1984) alongside Glenn Close and Ted Danson. It is bewildering that the central element of The Thief and the Stripper, however, is completely unmotivated strip sequences without any relevance to the story. L.P. Brown III obviously has a fondness for this kind of dance, but even here, he shows no sense of aesthetics. It is also worth mentioning that a comparison between the German VHS by e-m-s and the US DVD shows that e-m-s apparently simply received the R-rated version of the film when they purchased the license. It features milder versions of the various erotic dances, which almost entirely do without exposed breasts, and even includes one instance where they simply inserted the dance of another performer - which symbolizes the randomness in creating the whole film quite fittingly. The German FSK 18 VHS (by e-m-s) was compared to the Unrated US DVD (by Ground Zero). There are 9 differences, including 8 scenes with alternative footage and 1 cut. The R-rated version runs 5.44 seconds longer than the Unrated version. Alternative footage
0:01:04: After just one minute, the entire opening credits in both versions are different. Many impressions of a blonde stripper are more revealing in the U.S. version than in the German VHS, which also differs in its name credits. The director is named Javier Barrantes in the former version while in the German VHS, he is called Jesse Dell. Clearly, both versions are based on different masters. The R-Rated runs 6,2 sec. longer
Alternative footage 0:10:03: The lap dance for Jack is more lascivious and shows more skin in the American version No time difference
Alternative footage 0:12:17: When June leads Jack through the changing room of the strippers, the women are shown sitting more revealingly in the US version. The Unrated runs 0,6 sec. longer
Alternative footage 0:13:27: In the German version, June's striptease before Shoe and Face is shown from the back, while in the U.S. version, her bare breasts are visible. The R-Rated runs 4,64 sec. longer
0:13:59: The walk through the changing room of the strippers is longer in the US version with a sparsely clothed employee visible. 4,8 sec.
Alternative footage 0:17:58: It can hardly be more obvious. The DF shows a different stripper who stays dressed throughout her entire performance. In contrast, the U.S. version shows a stripper who writhes provocatively while wearing revealing clothing. No time difference
Alternative footage 0:25:39: The blond sex worker's striptease is also more revealing in the U.S. version due to the removal of clothing. No time difference
Alternative footage 0:38:11: Another stripper, but with the same differences. The DF remains modest while the US version is more revealing. No time difference
Alternative footage 0:55:17: Tammy dances topless during her dance class in the Unrated, but not in the R-Rated. No time difference
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