Color, 2004, 75m. / Directed by Nico B. / Starring Paige Richards, Dukey Flyswatter, Jaimie Henkin, David Maynard / Cult Epics
Middling as drama but provocative as historical recreation, Bettie Page: Dark Angel will be of most interest to fans who wondered what might exist beyond the scant surviving reels of film from her unforgettable tenure as the ultimate bondage pin-up queen. Richards looks more like Page in the Klaw clips than the color "real life" footage, which is probably appropriate since the latter is shot with a vibrant, retro palette atypical of what one associates with the Klaw aesthetic anyway. However, the color scenes are undone by obviously challenged production values, a rough sound mix, and some clunky line delivery, thus making the silent Klaw bits (scored with funky lounge music, the
Containing a modest but adequate amount of extras for a recent title, the Cult Epics disc features a sharp transfer of the main feature (in its 1.33:1 aspect ratio as it was evidently shot digital). Extras include a two-and-a-half minutes behnd-the-scenes look at the scoring session with composer Zack Ryan, a dream sequence on a fire stairwell with more unused score, a performance of "Just As I Am" with the Clara Ward Singers, behind the scenes footage of the bondage loops ("Dressing the Pony Girl," "Fighting Girls," "Untying the Bound & Gagged Girl," "Dominant Bettie," "Jungle Girl Untied"), a B&W nude photo shoot of Richards, a production photo gallery, and trailers for Dark Angel and Tinto Brass' similarly '50s-themed Frivolous Lola.
Having established itself as the premiere DVD label for Bettie/Betty Page loops, Cult Epics branched out to continue Bettie's
legacy with their own first feature film, Bettie Page: Dark Angel, helmed by company head Nico B. Adopted a tactic similar to Ed Wood, the film focuses on a short period in Page's life rather than offering a comprehensive look at her entire life. The story begins in Florida as Bettie finishes a modeling job and says goodbye to her boyfriend, Armond (Games People Play's Maynard), to jet back off to New York. There she embarks on a successful career as a bondage model thanks to her mentor, Irving Klaw (played by the memorably named "Dukey Flyswatter"), whose sister Paula (Henkin) serves as a sort of ringleader for the loops as well. Much of the running time consists of recreations of many Klaw spanking and bondage loops lost over the years (such as "Dominant Betty in Black Corselet") due to interference from 
the authorities, now exisiting only as still photographs. The rest of the film offers thumbnail sketch of Bettie's life during the '50s, climaxing with a failed marriage and mysterious disappearance into retirement.
most striking thing in the movie next to all the high heels and stockings) even more enjoyable in comparison.
