The decade of the 80’s were coming to a close so what do you remember from the year 1988? Let’s begin as we always do by taking a look back at the cost of living during that year.
The average annual income was $24,500 a year, the average price for a new 3 bedroom home was $91,000 and the average price for a new car was $10,500. As for costs, gas was creeping towards the $1.00 mark at 92 cents a gallon. You could get a gallon of milk for $1.89 and pork chops for just 40 cents a pound. A dozen eggs were only 65 cents and the cost of a movie ticket was $3.50. You could buy a brand new Ford Taurus for $9,900 and a Volkswagen Rabbit for $7,100. In some of the 1988 news headlines………The Hubble Space Telescope goes into operation to explore deep space and is still in full use today mapping our universe……… A bomb explodes on Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland……… Prozac is sold for the first time as an anti-depressant…… US Shuttle program resumes 2 1/2 years after the Challenger disaster…….The first major computer virus infects computers connected to the Internet…… The U.S. unveils the Stealth Bomber………The first laser eye surgery is performed in the U.S…….. George H. W. Bush defeats Michael Dukakis to become our new President.
In the world of entertainment among the big movies in 1988 were Rain Man, Die Hard, Big, A Fish Named Wanda and Beetlejuice. In music the hit makers included Michael Jackson, The Beach Boys, Guns n’ Roses and Gloria Estefan. For TV watchers some of the popular shows were Rosanne, Family Ties, The Cosby Show, Who’s the Boss and Murder, She Wrote. Among the celebrities we lost were singer Roy Orbison, actor/director John Houseman, Andy Gibb of the Bee Gees, basketball star Pistol Pete Maravich and porn star John Holmes.
In the porn industry there was a new look with the excessive big hair, enhanced breasts and clean shaven privates from the ladies. Most productions were now all California based. There were some excellent films and performances in 1988 and such as the one we take a look back at today. It was a a two part film with part one released in 1988, both having the same cast in the same roles. That film was, “The Nicole Stanton Story – The Rise”.
The Nicole Stanton Story Part One – The Rise – Caballero Films – Director – Henri Pachard – Cast – Eva Allen, Annette Haven, Megan Leigh, Jade East, Kendal Marx, John Leslie, Randy West, Peter North, Joey Silvera, Scott Irish
Shot on 35mm film this is an erotic gem that deserves being a classic. Between the direction of Pachard, the cinematography of Alex De Renzy plus an all star cast this film shines not only visually, but story wise and sexually with some absolutely terrific chemistry between the actors. It is a well constructed story that keeps viewers interest simply because the film has a cast that can really act and deliver lines in very mainstream fashion. Then add in the sex scenes and this entire film leaves you wanting more. That is answered with part two, “The Nicole Stanton Story – To The Top”.
The plot of the film is built around Nicole (Eva Allen) who goes from a sleazy low class hooker to the wife of a rich, but lonely widower Gerald Stanton (John Leslie). How she meets Leslie and entices him into marrying her is quite a buildup. It comes by way of a play for pay scheme that is set up by Violet (Annette Haven). She meets the widower, comes to his lavish house for dinner and literally seduces him right in front of his daughter Marie (Megan Leigh) and her boyfriend Tom (Peter North). Nicole is a schemer and knows what she wants and almost has Gerald begging for her favors. She plays him until the time is right then marries him. It is from that point on that Gerald literally falls under her spell and she gets whatever she wants from her wealthy husband. Some of Gerald’s friends, especially Dan (Joey Silvera) think he’s making a mistake because they know what Nicole is after. Gerald is so infatuated with her he ignores their advice and marries Nicole. That sets the stage for her to begin her rise to the top and nothing, or no one is going to stop her. The film ends with the guarantee that there is even more conniving, back stabbing, and devious plans in Nicole’s future as well as plenty of sex. That all comes to fruition in the follow up film “The Nicole Stanton Story – To The Top” which we will cover in another edition of this series.
The story is sharply written, the cast brings a lot of depth to their characters. Leslie is outstanding as Gerald Stanton and plays his role with a total mainstream flair. Eva Allen, whose porn career was a short one, creates a very good Nicole and really comes into her own as the film builds. Randy West also does one of his better acting performances. The entire cast shows off excellent acting chops to create a very realistic production. The sex scenes have steam and sizzle and well captured by the camera with plenty of great visuals.
Under the direction of Hall of Famer Henri Pachard, this is a true masterpiece that offers solid entertainment start to finish. It is available of DVD as is the follow up, so enjoy some fantastic performances by a top notch cast, most of who are now residing in either the AVN or XRCO Halls of Fame, or both. This is definitely a classic to get hold of and enjoy.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN