Tony Vorno gruffly plays Sgt. Robert Walsh, a bigoted, surly vice detective who professes to despise "freaks" of all kinds, especially as he's obliged to dress in drag in the opening sequence to snare some white collar deviates. His attitude seems to change when he is touched by a young prostitute, "Angel" (Sharon Matt) working for a smiling, crazed pimp named Pyrano (Peter Balakoff). Walsh and Angel enter into an affair that leads to the grumpy middle aged fart being stuck in a compromising position.

"The Hang Up" is good enough entertainment for lovers of adult-oriented fare. Written and directed by John Hayes ("Dream No Evil", "Grave of the Vampire"),it does offer a stinging commentary on hypocrisy in the law enforcement community. It's reasonably sleazy - if maybe not sleazy enough for some tastes - and there's a steady supply of very lovely young ladies on hand who show quite a bit of flesh without going full frontal. The decadence on display is still pretty amusing. The lounge style music score by Mario Toscano is enjoyable, as is the crisp cinematography by veteran B movie D.P. Paul Hipp and camera-work by Henning Schellerup. And while the movie is certainly sexy, it's never very violent. It runs a fairly trim 76 minutes, with a very sobering wrap-up.

The performances are all generally good. Vorno is convincing in the lead, and the gorgeous Matt is appealing as his love interest. Appearing uncredited are Bambi Allen as a performer named Suzette, and Erik Stern ("The Love Butcher") as Walsh's by-the-book, quick tempered partner.

Overall, an agreeable mix of exploitation, crime, and melodrama.

Seven out of 10.

This is a laughable movie

Begins with burly guys dressed in drag in a gay club, prancing around like they do today, not realizing they look ridiculous. And old men lighting other old men's cigarettes like it's Marilyn Monroe or something. OMG what trash

Abd there's one female dressed as a male. Why? I dunno.

This is a stoopid that doesnt deserve cult status. The wigs are so phony and bad (think Divine in Hairspray. A real woman has really bad super hard implants.

And all the trannies are saluting drinks to her for some reason. Dumb

Then the old gay guys try to pick up the two main trannies who are fugly. It's bad. Really bad. Why are gay guys into trannies? They want other gay guys.

It turns out this is Tranni Batman and Robin! Ridding the city of deviates.

It's a horrible movie. Poorly written, poorly directed and the acting is non existent.

Two-fisted, but disillusioned vice cop Lt. Walsh (ably played to the gruff hard-nosed hilt by Tony Vorno) has his already disorderly life further turned upside down after he decides to help teenage runaway Angel (a sympathetic portrayal by the fetching Sharon Matt) get away from the vile clutches of nefarious pimp Pirano (a nicely slimy performance by Peter Balakoff),who blackmails the rugged flatfoot when Walsh succumbs to the lovely underage lass's charms.

Writer/director John Hayes keeps the absorbing story moving along at a steady pace, does an ace job of crafting a gritty, sordid, and bitterly cynical tone, offers a flavorsome evocation of a fascinatingly seamy criminal underworld rife with corruption and forbidden temptation, and delivers a satisfying serving of sizzling soft-core sex and tasty female nudity. Erik Stern contributes sturdy support as Walsh's no-nonsense partner Richards while buxom brunette Bambi Allen pops up (and out) as nightclub performer Suzette. The uncompromising downbeat ending packs a devastating punch. Paul Hipp's competent cinematography and Mario Toscano's moody lounge score are both up to par. Recommended viewing for fans of grim'n'grimy exploitation fare.