Sexcapades

Talk about "OLD SCHOOL." The box cover of this DVD looks like something straight off a movie poster I remember seeing while walking past the "Pussycat Cinema," a Bijou that specialized in adult films, when I was a kid. Truth be told, I think it may have been this actual flick that was being advertised. Too bad I wasn't old enough at the time to go in and take a peek, so I could confirm that fact right now.

Needless to say, all of this raunchy reminiscing made me curious to see how the nostalgic nookie on this disc would play itself out now that VCA has digitally re-mastered it for the small screen. With that in mind, I quickly converted my DVD player into an XXX-rated version of Mr. Peabody's "Wayback Machine" in the hopes of being taken on a wonderful and wild ride into porn's past. Granted, there were a few bumps in the road along the way - most having to do more with technological limitations in the tape to DVD transfer than with the actual fucking - but, for the most part, I found this movie to be quite an engaging and sentimental sexual experience.

Before you watch "Sexcapades," you have to understand that it was filmed way before today's extremist smut ever saw the light of day. By now, most of the standard sex positions seen on this disc have become somewhat cliché. And while other, more intemperate stuff - such as hardcore anal sex - is at a premium here, the straightforward approach to screwing is still a hell of a lot of fun to watch. In fact, it's a lot better than the halfhearted dick to clit humping you see in many current pornos. Remember, back then, adult film was thought of as more of an art form than it is today. That said, you can expect the cast of "Sexcapades" to give their all in each and every scene, thus creating a vital and stimulating viewing atmosphere. Think of it as old age porn pumped up on Viagra, if you will.

While I did like this film, there was still one noticeable problem with it. Basically, there was way too much plot. Based on what I've seen, excessive storylines apparently were the norm back in the golden age of porn. Because these flicks were shown in suburban adult movie theaters, the directors didn't want to just show fuck scene after fuck scene after fuck scene. They had to add in some story and dialogue too. I guess that was done to free up time between the sex clips so you could get your cock hard again or run down to the concession stand for a box of popcorn and some napkins. Whatever. Had I been a paying customer back then, I would have preferred to see nothing but fornication. If I wanted a love story, I could have walked over to the local general cinema instead. Believe me, this flick could hold its own based solely on the fucking. It was mostly solid throughout and certainly worth the price of admission.

Furthermore, I must admit it was intriguing watching people get it on while wearing 80s hairstyles and clothing. Case in point, the opening scene in which skinny blonde Yvonne Rose (Joanna Storm), who's vying for a role in Lorraine Loveborn's (Lee Carroll) latest produced porno, sports a "doo" straight out of "Footloose." While her feathered locks looked antiquated to me, the way Yvonne sucked and licked her male partner's cock and ball bag was definitely unique. The good old days aren't half bad!

A really great classic, this film (shot on film, not video) gives a good insight into how the industry was run during the "golden age." It shows how porn directors "direct," the antics of stars and the grubby business of making a XXX film. It is a far better representation of that era than the much-acclaimed mainstream "Boogie Nights." The performers really could act, not like they are depicted in mainstream film. Outside locales were frequently used and quite good. Interior sets were used as well, but not like the cheap sets in "Nights." The budget for these films often ran as high as 200 grand. Sharon Mitchell is very good as the puritanical wife of the director. The scene between Sharon Kane and Lee Carroll can be found in compendiums of great classic scenes (the Jim Holliday/Jill Kelly series). It shows what a disservice "Boogie Nights" was to the adult industry.

AVN reviewed this Henri Pachard film in its ninth issue, November 1983. It's the story of former porn director Eric Edwards who's drawn back in for the money-- which mightily upsets sexually-timid wife Sharon Mitchell, who gives an award-worthy acting performance.

Shot in New York City, Sexcapades chronicles the trials and tribulations of putting together an XXX feature, with plenty of shots "backstage" as well as eight sex scenes, though some are very brief. Featured actresses also include Tiffany Clark, Sharon Kane, Mai Lin, Joanna Storm and Lee Caroll- and for those who've wondered who legends George Payne and Alan Adrian were, they're here as well.

The film has weathered well, thematically, sexually and image-wise, with solid blacks and no noticeable pixelation even in slow motion. Extras include eight animated chapter buttons, an 11-image slide show, and "hot scene" buttons for Mitchell, Kane, Caroll and Lin.