Shaun Costello
Biography
Shaun Costello began directing for "loops" (10-minute scenes shown in coin-operated viewers in adult theaters) in NYC in the early 1970s, and soon was directing (and acting in) full porn movies and other grindhouse "roughies" shown in Times Square's 42nd Street adult theaters. Costello took work where he could get it, often working for the Mob, who owned many adult theaters and distribution, and working under different aliases for different theaters so that no one (at the time) knew that he was his own competition. Eventually moving on to a mainstream documentary career, Costello written and directed grindhouse movies - rough and violent and reflecting of their times - have seen a resurgence as the 2010's have seen these movies be remastered and re-released and often seen for the first time in decades. Anyone interested in the history of American porn or grindhouse/exploitation theater of the late 1960s and 1970s will likely have encountered Shaun Costello's work, often unknowingly due to his prolific use of aliases.
Known For & Full Filmography65 Titles
Movie - 2021, 2h 15m • as Self (archive footage)
Images of moral panic, cult followings and the edges of madness from sex and death.
Movie - 1990, 2h 15m • as Cigar Shop Man
In this erotic thriller an out of work actor is forced to take a job as a limousine driver. He drives for a beautiful woman and her husband who has ties to the mob. When the girl turns up dead, he is accused of her murder.
Movie - 1974, 2h 15m • as George
Dr. Scheisekopf (Jamie Gillis) advises patient Jennifer Jordan (aka Sarah Nicholson) to get away for the weekend. When the bus she travels on crashes, passengers take refuge at crazy Sonny Landham’s country house where all manner of lewd hook-ups occur.
Movie - 1981, 2h 15m • as Waiter / Man in Audition Line
While browsing, a small antique shop, a large mirror catches Pandora's attention, seemingly casting a spell of sensuality over her.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as David
A crazed Vietnam vet hunts down and kills women.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Ray Lavagis
A gang of terrorists attack the American embassy in Labania and kidnap the ambassador, his wife and his secretary.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Jerry
A man is kidnapped by a group of women and subjected to unspeakable tortures. However, he comes to enjoy them.
Movie - 1974, 2h 15m • as Joe / TV Reporter
When Dr. Canute is appointed Director of Veterans Hospital, he decides that what the boys that came back from Vietnam need is not Bob Hope to entertain them, but they need girls..nurses…Teenage Nurses!
Movie - 1977, 2h 15m • as Biker with Cigarette
Vanessa's psychologist husband recounts the kinky case history of an insatiable patient.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Chip Carson
A domestic tragicomedy which follows a slutty housewife through her kinky extra marital affairs.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Self
Quasi-documentary that looks at the sex industry in Europe. Features interviews with people who make or take part in pornographic films, publish sex magazines, or supply erotic stills, in Britain, the Scandinavian countries and Germany. Also shows two blue movies being made.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Closing Narration (voice)
Two young girls in New York's Greenwich Village own a plaster-casting shop. One day a well-known Hollywood actor walks into their shop and asks if they can make a plaster replica of his penis. When he later brings a friend of his, also a well-known actor, in to get his 'member' replicated, the girls hatch an ingenious plan to make a lot of money by making replicas of stars' penises, then blackmailing them. However, things don't turn out exactly the way they planned.
Movie - 1979, 2h 15m • as Bob O'Connor
A writer finds out that his wife is leading a double life, which includes a second husband who lives on the other side of town. He presents this story to his editor, who is so intrigued by it that she takes her male secretary along and sets out to find out whether the writer's wife is actually doing what he says she is.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Chip
When her parents leave for a trip to New York, a young Chicago girl decides to lose her virginity as soon as possible, and enlists the help of her wild older sister to achieve her goal.
Movie - 1972, 2h 15m • as Mr. Thorens
A doctor outlines several cases involving sexual problems suffered by citizens of Scandinavia, and the cases are re-enacted for the education of the audience.
Movie - 1971, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
A "whitecoater" released long after the industry had dropped such requirements, nonetheless a requirement for Tina Russell fans and those interested in early examples of the golden age.
Movie - 1977, 2h 15m • as Company Investigator
An accountant embezzles $80,000 from his company, in cahoots with a beautiful company executive. However, he starts worrying about getting caught and lets his partner know that he wants to stop. She, however, doesn't want to dry up her cash cow, so she finds some "persuasive" ways to convince her partner to keep up his end of the deal.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Mr. Barnes
A sex therapist treats a pain addicted tramp who needs leather hooded brutes to bind and beat her to get off.
Movie - 1977, 2h 15m • as Football Announcer (voice) / Autograph Seeker / Guy at Party
Two former classmates reunite at their school's athletic stadium to reminisce about their youth, but the discussion, and ensuing flashbacks, soon take them back to shocking and perverse memories.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Guy with Glasses
A husband and wife are very upset when they learn their Friday night orgy venue has been sublet to two women from South America. They decide that the best course of action is to just go over, walk in, and get it on, hoping that the new residents will think it’s just an old American custom.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Jerry
It's Debbie's birthday, and her friends have hired a stud to deflower the young stud. The stud in questions frets ahead of time over whether he'll be asked to do anything kinky.
Movie - 1971, 2h 15m • as Photo Model with Mustache
Tina Russell (X Rated Critics Organization Hall of Fame Member) leads us through the tumultuously sexy New York City searching for modeling opportunities. After a series of long days and no results, she takes an offer to model in some "artistic photographs." When she arrives, she quickly learns what art means in the shady underworld of Manhattan. Tina quickly moves from tame, softcore photography to hardcore fuck films, embracing her pornographic urges while feeding her lust for the camera. Sensuous Vixens is the classic tale of a good girl releasing the nympho beast inside while exploring her own sexual urges.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Bert
Private investigator Mickey Finn searches for a missing china doll filled with $25,000 of Dilithium crystals. Notable as Vanessa del Rio's first movie.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Chauffeur / Highwayman (uncredited)
Four friends on a weekend getaway to Long Island are siting around a fireplace and each relates a sexual fantasy that he or she has had for a long time but kept secret.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Police Station Cop / Man at Car Window
A mentally troubled man becomes a serial rapist and torturer due to the strong shock he suffers after witnessing the performance of an enema in a brothel.
Movie - 1971, 2h 15m • as First Fantasy Lover
A beggar gives a woman a ring in appreciation for an act of kindness. The woman discovers that the ring is actually a magic amulet that can bring all her sexual fantasies to life.
Movie - 1974, 2h 15m • as Jay Basby
A hard and penetrating look into the lives of gorgeous stewardesses.
Movie - 1978, 2h 15m • as Richard Anselm / Masked Guy
Private detective, Dan McCord has been hired by Richard Anselm to find his beautiful wife, Eileen. As he digs into the case, he discovers that she might have been kidnapped by white slavers.
Movie - 1978, 2h 15m • as S.R.
When the leader of a sadistic sex cult is killed, its members have to choose a new person to lead them.
Movie - 1977, 2h 15m • as Bobby
After her daughter is kidnapped by a gang of bikers, Helen hires a private detective to find her.
Movie - 1978, 2h 15m • as Bruno
A young woman gets involved in a sex-and-death cult, and finds out that she is slated to be the cult's next victim.
Movie - 1982, 2h 15m • as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
While watching porn loops at a stag party given by his friend Harry, a husband is shocked to see his wife performing hardcore sex in one of them. He hires a private detective to find out what's going on.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Man in Stable
When astronauts are flying to Jupiter, they are to get sexual relief from girls who accompany them to the planet.
Movie - 1974, 2h 15m • as Good Samaritan / Man in Black
A group of pen-pals from across the country, who have never met before, gather in New York City for a weekend of fun and sex.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Lola
Two porno actors on the run audition in drag for a rock band and actually get the gig. They are pursued by a police sergeant for their lewd film exploits.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Newspaper Reader / Radio Newscaster
Three friends kidnap the daughter of a millionaire and plan to ask for a big ransom. They hide out on the farm of a family in the backwoods, and find that they're in for more than they bargained for.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Dr. Warren Counter
In order to cheat her out of her inheritance, a young girl's parents have her locked up in a mental institution.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Jamie
Three swinging young couples decide to marry one other and spend an erotic honeymoon at a fancy hotel.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as El Gringo
Two young women come across secret papers having do with with foreign diplomats.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Willy
A reporter interviews June, a prostitute who has just been arrested, and she relates her tale of being kidnapped by a criminal gang, drugged and forced to have sex with powerful politicians in order to set them up for blackmail.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Guy in Final Class
Female students at a "higher-learning" institution called The School for the Sexual Arts spend their time closely studying the male body and learning how best to use their own bodies to bring the male form to life.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Bruce / Betty's Master
Young Danielle finds her parents' kinky sex diary, and as she reads it she starts imagining what it must have been like to do the kinds of things her parents were doing
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Bob Hartman
Carlotta and her husband are sex surrogates helping frustrated couples get off.
Movie - 1971, 2h 15m • as Shaun (uncredited)
A rainy day forces four women to stay indoors. Bored, they decide to liven up the day by calling up some male friends to have sex with them.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Sex Slave (uncredited)
Vanessa is the leader of an international organization of white slave traders who supply women to brothels all over the world. Her mob is expanding and her number one henchman has plans for taking over the whole operation. She has to duck the law as well as her enemies to stay on top of things, one of her favorite things is Jamie Gillis. Vanessa and Jamie light up the screen with their lovemaking. Will Vanessa keep her empire of lust? Or, will she be swallowed up by the mob with the cops not too far behind?
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Mr. Boynton
"To Whom It May Concern, Good Bye!!! Yours Truly, Anonymous," reads the suicide note English teacher Mr. Boynton writes and tapes to his chest. Dejected because he’s going to lose his job for moonlighting in porno flicks, he also wears Groucho Marx glasses (you know, with the big nose and fake moustache) which, somehow, is necessary apparel for someone about to jump off a New York City bridge. But before he leaps, he is rescued by a student of his named Nancy and Miss Crabtree, the Phys. Ed. teacher. As thanks for saving him, the gals go with him to "an editing room" and double-team him.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Edgar Frank
Zarryl Danuck, the head of Universal American Pictures, is in danger of being ousted from his position. Can his niece Eloise, newly-arrived in New York City, reverse his studio's failing fortunes as their new "All-American Girl" movie star?
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Newscaster / Homer Heaply
A foursome is stranded in the woods of Arkansas after a plane crash so they split up to look for help.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as John Spaulding
A sexually frustrated housewife gets satisfied when she meets up with a group of swinging kite enthusiasts.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Minister
Young Lisa brings her fiancé home to meet her parents, who don't know he's black. They are shocked and servants appalled, but he helps her mom feel better, and Lisa satisfies her dad.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Randy
Young Kathy is an honors student who graduates from high school with straight A's. However, at her graduation party her friends--who know that she is a virgin--decide to give her the kind of "final exam" that she wasn't counting on.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • as Mr. O'Malley
When the mayor's campaign to drive prostitutes out of the city threatens to put a crimp in two hookers' livelihoods, one of them gets the bright idea of dressing up like a Girl Scout and selling her "cookies" door to door.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Rock the Guitarist / Voice of Walter Cockite
Marc Stevens plays Joe Cock, a Jim Morrison by way of David Bowie circa Ziggy Stardust vocalist whose claim to fame is his uncanny ability to get it up on stage.
Movie - 1977, 2h 15m • as Troy Winston
A private detective is hired by a Hollywood agent to find out who killed a beautiful young movie star.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Customs Agent
When a customs search turns up a vial of coke hidden away in an outlaw pussy, Tina Makes a Deal. Well... actually, Linda makes the deal. We haven’t the slightest idea who Tina might be. Linda works for hippie guru Timothy Bleary, whose drug smuggling operation relies on bribing law enforcement with sex. It works extremely well.
Movie - 1974, 2h 15m • as Hired Guy
Sidney Spelvin, a sexually frustrated fireman, complains to Dr. Cousins, a female psychiatrist, that his wife will only have sex in the missionary position. That doesn’t please Sidney because he’s learned (from various gurus) about 197 other ways to bring a woman to orgasm. Interested in those 197 other ways, Dr. Cousins quickly cajoles Sidney into demonstrating those techniques on her, for "clinical purposes" only, right there in her office. Oh, those wacky porno shrinks!
Movie - 1977, 2h 15m • as Bob Gilroy
A private detective is hired to find a mysterious girl named Susan. He soon realizes that "Susan" is the girl he spent the previous night with, and with whom he had the best sex of his life. His investigation leads him into a variety of sexual situations.
Movie - 1979, 2h 15m • as Martin Randall
A young woman has been experiencing terrifying nightmares set in an asylum. Her husband, powerless to help her, enlists the aid of a detective to investigate her past, hoping for a clue to her present visions, but what he uncovers is more shocking than anyone could imagine.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Orgy Guy with Two Girls
American and Russian agents each vie to gain their respective nation control of the oil wells of Sexalvania. However, the wells only produce baby oil.
Movie - 1973, 2h 15m • as Brother Francis
Charlatan priest Father Sexus encourages devoutly religious folks to shed their inhibitions and happily participate in assorted wild carnal activities of licentious delight.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as Pete
Pete supplies hotel guests with prostitutes to make their trips a bit more enjoyable.
Movie - 1974, 2h 15m • as Poker Buddy (uncredited)
It was shocking and unbelievable experience for Henry Totler. The girl up there in the stag film was his wife, and all his friends were watching her in a shameless sex act with another man and another woman! Henry hired a hard driving detective to find out all about his wife, Maggie.
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m • as The Spirits
Carol Scrooge, the curmudgeonly owner of a sleazy skin publication, insists that her employees work on Christmas. However, on Christmas eve, Miss Scrooge is visited by three ghosts, each of whom shows her a different vision of Christmas, from Carol's lurid past of sexually manipulating her childhood friends to the meager Christmas celebrations of her present-day employee, Bob Hatchet and his wife, to a terrifying and sleazy vision of Christmas yet to come; each visit is infused with a barrel of laughs and a valuable lesson about the importance of giving and holiday spirit.
Movie - 1980, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
A foreman is called back to his construction site on a Saturday morning. He goes into the bowels of the building to a repair a power failure — and explore some other bowels as well.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
French School Girls brings to life the sexual fantasies of two gorgeous ladies as they lay in bed together sharing their wildest dreams. From worshipping the massive cock of John Holmes to getting plowed in a frenzied double team, these girls love it nasty and crave it raw the notoriously stunning Tina Russell offers an excellent performance that magnetizes, turns on and satisfies the viewer's taste for pornographic beauty. Shot on film at a time when film makers could be imprisoned for their art. French School Girls Remains a strong movie with its unique vintage style and timeless artistic instinct