This is from the 1983 movie 'Dixie Ray Hollywood Star'. Both John Leslie and Tony Spinelli were at the top of their game here and they were complemented with a terrific cast.
In some ways, the golden age peaked with this movie, as it did something XXX adult cinema had never done before and would not do again - star a mainstream actor in it's storyline and do so with his name in the middle of the credits.
Tony Spinelli was given this treatment that smacked of an old fashion film noir and he was given a budget for 35mm cinematography. And he thought that it would place him head and shoulders above Damiano, de Renzy, and others. But he needed a special ingredient.
Character actor Jack Weston was the brother of Spinelli. And Jack was friends with Cameron Mitchell, one of the most respected actors in Hollywood and a purported founding member of The Actor's Studio. Jack was gay and relied on Tony to supplement his overtly straight lifestyle with a covert stream of gay liasons. So Tony gave Jack a gentle nudge that he wanted Cameron Mitchell for the movie in a strictly supporting role that would last no more than 5 minutes of screen time - or else he might lose his black book of gay men. Cameron who was an outspoken proponent of free speech agreed to do the movie as a sort of 'in your face' slap at the then conservative values of backroom (production gurus) Hollywood. And so everyone got what they wanted.
The movie took about 2 weeks to shoot and afterwards, John, Tony, Cameron, and myself went out to celebrate. I knew a bit of Mitchell from High Chaparral on which I helped with the opening titles and also served as an occasional grip (for extra cash). Anyways, we had a great night, talking about movies and drinking until 3am when everyone was shitfaced.
When I look back and think of an adult movie that had the entire package (technicals and creativity), this one comes to mind. Not the best movie. Not the most beautiful. Not the most erotic. But the quintessential showcase film for the golden age.
Must not have been that great, cause you never hear old people talking about it.
In some ways, the golden age peaked with this movie, as it did something XXX adult cinema had never done before and would not do again - star a mainstream actor in it's storyline and do so with his name in the middle of the credits.
Tony Spinelli was given this treatment that smacked of an old fashion film noir and he was given a budget for 35mm cinematography. And he thought that it would place him head and shoulders above Damiano, de Renzy, and others. But he needed a special ingredient.
Character actor Jack Weston was the brother of Spinelli. And Jack was friends with Cameron Mitchell, one of the most respected actors in Hollywood and a purported founding member of The Actor's Studio. Jack was gay and relied on Tony to supplement his overtly straight lifestyle with a covert stream of gay liasons. So Tony gave Jack a gentle nudge that he wanted Cameron Mitchell for the movie in a strictly supporting role that would last no more than 5 minutes of screen time - or else he might lose his black book of gay men. Cameron who was an outspoken proponent of free speech agreed to do the movie as a sort of 'in your face' slap at the then conservative values of backroom (production gurus) Hollywood. And so everyone got what they wanted.
The movie took about 2 weeks to shoot and afterwards, John, Tony, Cameron, and myself went out to celebrate. I knew a bit of Mitchell from High Chaparral on which I helped with the opening titles and also served as an occasional grip (for extra cash). Anyways, we had a great night, talking about movies and drinking until 3am when everyone was shitfaced.
When I look back and think of an adult movie that had the entire package (technicals and creativity), this one comes to mind. Not the best movie. Not the most beautiful. Not the most erotic. But the quintessential showcase film for the golden age.