Boy Wonder: OK, Miss Cake, let us see exactly how far down into it we can get.
Cathy Cake: Uh, into what?
Boy Wonder: Into the valley of indecency.
Sex! Nudity! Big Stars! Hollywood’s 70′s Sexcapades!
If you are a fan of Jessica Harper and Richard Dreyfus, then you MUST search out their forgotten movie about making porn! It was a time in the mid-70′s when Hollywood was trying to stay relevant – and that meant taking chances like THIS!
You should know Jessica Harper for two of the best cult films EVER – “My Favorite Year” and “Phantom Of The Paradise” – and of course Richard Dreyfus for everything from “Jaws” to “American Graffiti” and “The Goodbye Girl” – so imagine them making a film about porn movies!
Movies in the 70′s were going in many interesting directions: controversial films like “A Clockwork Orange” competed with mainstream blockbusters like “Star Wars” and yes, “Jaws”. So what was a successful Actor to do – go “arthouse” or “mainstream”?
Truth Is Stranger Than Porn!
I am going to take a look at a film that featured big stars trying to be artistic, and an obscure documentary that looks at someone’s attempt to MAKE an adult film in the 70′s!
Director: They wanted 80% sex. I said 20%; after that, you know, it gets boring.
Here is a fascinating documentary AND a legendary “forgotten” film from the 70′s that look at love – and the art of capturing it on film – it’s just as hard as it looks!
This Documentary Is Indeed “A Labor Of Love!”
“A Labor Of Love” tells the story of wannabe film makers who decided to document their porn efforts!
Here is the trailer for the movie – although it is more a collection of short snippets from the film than an actual trailer – take a look:
“A Labor Of Love” is a documentary that was made in the 70′s, as the filmmakers wanted to capture a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of “The Last Affair”, an independent drama that was to feature several explicit sex scenes. After the financial backers had a change of heart, “The Last Affair” was released without the sex scenes and quickly faded away.
Included in the cast of “The Last Affair” were popular character actor Ron Dean (The Dark Knight, Rudy, Code of Silence) and actress/director Betty Thomas, who went on to star in the TV series “Hill Street Blues.”
Private Parts Indeed!
And of course, Betty Thomas is also known for another amazing achievement: she directed Howard Stern!
That’s right, Thomas is now a TV and film Director, and she directed Howard’s movie “Private Parts!” If you haven’t seen it, Howard’s autobiographical film is hilarious, due in large part to her direction!
Even though both Actors went on to more successful careers, it’s fascinating that they were in this film. Important note: Neither of those Actors were involved in any of the sex scenes, but both performers can be seen briefly in “A Labor of Love.”
Director: “They wanted 80% sex. I said 20%; after that, you know, it gets boring.”
This is a fascinating look at film-making!
There are a few scenes that are X-rated in this film, so be warned, but it mostly shows the unglamorous world of low-budget moviemaking. Perhaps the actress in the film captured it best with this quote:
Young actress: “I felt like an animal. I’d never do something like this again.”
Indeed!
Check out this fascinating documentary!
Oh, and I wonder if Richard Dreyfus and Jessica Harper would agree with that sentiment! Let’s see!
Richard Dreyfus Does Porn!
“OK, Miss Cake, let us see exactly how far down into it we can get.”
Oscar-winning Actor Richard Dreyfus, who starred in “Jaws”, “The Goodbye Girl” and “American Graffiti” – also looked into the world of “adult” film making with THIS movie – which is all about porn!
Inserts!
This is one of Hollywood’s most neglected movies – a raw, inside look at a “different” kind of Hollywood! Here is the plot:
A young, once-great Hollywood film director refuses to accept changing times during the early 1930s, and confines himself to his decaying mansion to make silent porn flicks.
X-Rated Inserts!
“Inserts” was written and directed by John Byrum, and starred Richard Dreyfuss, Jessica Harper, Bob Hoskins and Veronica Cartwright. Featuring full-frontal nudity, a drug overdose, and very adult content, it was originally rated “X”. This was very daring stuff for 1975.
Jessica Harper would also star in Brian DePalma’s “Phantom Of The Paradise” as well as the classic comedy “My Favorite Year.”
Talk About Your Double Entendre!
The film’s title takes its name from the double meaning of “Inserts”: it refers to a film technique, as well as sexual intercourse. “Inserts” was filmed like a stage play on one set and filmed entirely in real time!
Boy Wonder: OK, Miss Cake, let us see exactly how far down into it we can get.
Cathy Cake: Uh, into what?
Boy Wonder: Into the valley of indecency.
Cathy Cake: Well, that’s a pretty crummy way of looking at it.
Boy Wonder: The trick, Miss Cake, is not to look at it at all, but simply limp to the edge of patience and let yourself fall.
The movie was a notorious flop, but both Actors bounced back to make big hits – and years later, Director John Byrum discussed making the X-rated movie “Inserts” at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Oscar’s “X” Flirtation!
“Inserts” was a daring look at a certain time in Hollywood. If you want to see a time when the Academy Awards flirted with the “X” rating, check out my story HERE!
http://johnrieber.com/2013/05/07/x-rated-butter-cowboys-droogs-oscars-x-flirtation/
It’s a fascinating look at a more experimental time in film!
