Sex with a Smile (1976)

Not to belittle the benefits of fornication with a frown but Sex with a Smile (1976) does its wacky best to raise the corners of viewers’ mouths as well as up the mercury in their lap thermometers. Also known as 40 gradi all’ombra del lenzuolo (40 Degrees Under the Sheets), Sergio Martino’s racy romp spawned the sequel Spogliamoci così senza pudor (Let’s Get Naked Without Modesty). Needless to say, the humor is risqué! Italian by inclination and origination, this collection of five vignettes pokes fun at sexual foibles that are universal in nature. In one story, bodyguard Alex (Marty Feldman) is hired to safeguard the purity of bored socialite Marina (Dayle Haddon). It’s a job that gets him all wet when the comely client bares her boobs and butt in the tub. Rub a dub dub! Similarly, a countess (Giovanna Ralli) and her long-suffering chauffeur (Alberto Lionello) must determine who is really in the driver’s seat. Meanwhile, a trophy wife (Barbara Bouchet) receives a proposal for 20 million lira provided she has sex with an eccentric stranger (Enrico Montesano). Luckily for the dude, the topless hottie believes this an offer she can’t refuse! If that’s not arousing enough, Emilia Chiapponi (Edwige Fenech) reveals her rack and rump during a hump with a nebbish (Tomas Milian). Talk about strange bedfellows! Lastly, a guy (Aldo Maccione) rescues a suicidal dame (Sydne Rome) only to fend off her killer dog. All in all, this pic presents serious truths wrapped up in a package of fun!