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Porn Classics Revisited – “Anna Obsessed” -1977

This week we travel back forty four years to 1977. For me, 1977 was the year we made the move from New Jersey to Florida and have never looked back. Let’s go back down memory lane and see what the year was like as far as news headlines, entertainment news and more.

As always, let’s first take look at the cost of living in 1977. The average income in the U.S. was $15,000 a year and the average cost of a brand new 3 bedroom home was $49,000. A brand new Chevy Nova was $3,900 and gas was only 65 cents a gallon. You could by a 5” portable TV for $150 and complete stereo system for $250. Women’s tunics were in fashion and only $11 and men’s leather slip on shoes just $14. Here are some of the 1977 news headlines……..New York City had a total blackout that lasted more than 24 hours…….. Jimmy Carter was elected President and the Trans Alaskan pipeline opened……….. The Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr………. The World Trade Center twin towers are completed………. The death of  rock and roll legend Elvis Presley at age 42 shocks the entire world……… It was the year when Apple introduced their first computers……Voyager I and Voyager II are launched unmanned to explore the outer solar system………The first commercial flight of the Concorde from the UK to New York takes place…….. A new diet program called Slim Fast comes on the market…….And who could forget the introduction of the Chia Pet that became the rage?

In the world of entertainment the big hit Hollywood films included Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Rocky, Annie Hall, Saturday Night Fever and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In the world of music among the hit makers were The Eagles, Barbra Striesand, Stevie Wonder, The Bee Gees and Fleetwood Mac. As for TV’s big shows that year The Carol Burnett Show, McMillan and Wife, Columbo, Family Feud and Welcome Back Kotter were among them. Some of the celebrities we lost in 1977 would include comedian Groucho Marx, basketball coach Adolph Rupp, actress Joan Crawford, band leader Guy Lombardo, singer/actor Bing Crosby, comedian/film maker Charlie Chaplin and ”The King”, singer/actor Elvis Presley.

In the world of adult, porn films became much more popular as they continued to mesh good storylines and good acting with sex scenes. The majority of films were being shot in New York and regular movie theaters also began to show porn on a limited basis. There were some good adult films in 1977 such as the one we revisit today, “Anna Obsessed” .

Anna Obsessed – Arrow Productions – Director – Martin Martin – Cast – Constance Money, Annette Haven, Susan McBain, John Leslie, Jamie Gillis

This film was first released in 1976 but taken off the market shortly after because some of the subject matter was too strong, even for porn back then. It was re-released under “Anna Obsessed” and enjoyed considerable success and critical acclaim even though there were still some who were worried about the movie’s plot. Most fans may not remember this one, but porn aficionados certainly will. It is in the XRCO Hall of Fame and considered by many long time industry people as one of the best overall films of porn’s golden age.

It has a mainstream feel and look to it right from the opening scene on a rainy night. The story centers around Anna and David Carson ( Constance Money and John Leslie). As the rain comes down the camera goes into the bedroom and we see Anna and David having sex, but it becomes very obvious that she is not enjoying it. It is not the fault of David, who tries everything but nothing seems to work. This frigidity becomes physiological with Anna and she wants to find out the reasons for her problem before it ruins their marriage.

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with David as he is having a lusty affair with his secretary (Susan McBain). She is giving him everything he is not getting at home. The secretary also has a fantasy man (Jamie Gillis) that appears here and there. As time goes on Anna meets Maggie (Annette Haven) at the train station and they become quick friends. As they part, Anna drops her purse, Maggie picks it up and will get in touch with her. Maggie wants more than friendship where Anna is concerned.

Then comes a scene in the film that changes everything about Anna. It is a very rough, tough, graphic rape scene that may not sit well with everyone, but it is a focal point of the film and who this rapist is that has been lurking throughout the film. I could continue and give you the rest and what happens and to who and how this turns out. However, it is too good a film to not see and discover for yourself.

There is a DVD version available but there have been major cuts made in it. If you can still play VHS and can find a VHS copy then you will have the entire uncut version. The five person cast was magnificent, the acting superb, the settings, cinematography, music, lighting were all that of a mainstream film. The direction of Martin Martin is simply spot on, fluid and realistic. “Anna Obsessed” is truly a golden classic to be viewed. While the main subject matter is a violent one, it is a reality of life and how it can change someone forever.

A few side notes: Leslie Bovee was originally slated to play Anna but because of the violence in the film she turned it down. Ms. Money was convinced to come back from her home in Alaska to take the role.

Like a mainstream film, this one had several weeks of prep and rehearsal and was shot over a 10 day period on real locations in New York City and Long Island. It  also had a large film crew numbering more than 30 people. It  supposedly had a budget of $100,000 an enormous sum for that time.

Rumors have circulated for years that the director, “Martin Martin” and crew were all from mainstream Hollywood and “moonlighting” doing porn. When you consider all the work and effort put into this film I tend to believe the rumor could well be the truth.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

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Porn Classics Revisited – “The Nicole Stanton Story – The Rise” – 1988

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

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ART OF ADULT – The Porn Classics Revisited – “The Autobiography of a Flea” – 1976

Our trip down memory lane takes us back forty six years to our Bicentennial year, 1976. The 70’s were quite a decade of moving forward, so what was our life like back in 1976.

As always, we begin with the cost of living along with the news and entertainment headlines. The average yearly income was just $16,000 a year and a new 3 bedroom home averaged $43,000. If you rented an apartment the average rent was $225 a month. When it came to automobiles, the average price ran between $3,500 and $4,500 and gas was just 59 cents a gallon. You could by a new microwave oven for $179 or a Zenith 25” color TV for $600. The popular Polaroid Camera (remember them?) was just $28. In news headlines……….In July of 1976 Legionnaires Disease affected 4,000 delegates in Pennsylvania…….The Concorde makes its maiden flight going from London to New York in an amazing 3 1/2 hours……… Jimmy Carter defeats Gerald Ford to become the 39th President of the U.S. and Fidel Castro becomes Cuba’s President……… The U.S. Mint issues the $2 bill……… A new company called Apple Computers begins and will change the world forever……… The CN tower in Toronto, Canada is completed and is the tallest free standing structure in the world at the time………The first Space Shuttle, Enterprise, was unveiled by NASA……..In New York City, the “Son of Sam” begins a series of attacks that terrorize the city for a full year….. Matsushita introduces the VHS home video cassette recorder to compete with Sony’s Beta Max system………There are Bicentennial celebrations throughout the year taking place all over the country.

In Hollywood among the big hit movies in 1976 are Taxi Driver, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Omen, All The President’s Men and Rocky. The hit music makers include Queen, Bay City Rollers, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney and Wings and Rod Stewart. TV’s hit shows include Happy Days, M*A*S*H, The Carol Burnett Show, Hawaii Five -O and Charlie’s Angels. We lost  a number of famous people in 1976 including singer/actor Sal Mineo, actor Lee J. Cobb, aviator/businessman Howard Hughes, writer Agatha Christie, actress Rosalind Russell and songwriter Johnny Mercer.

The porn industry continues It’s growth and adult films are being shown in many regular theaters all over the U.S. One of the biggest adult film hits of 1976, is the one we take a look back at today, “Autobiography of a Flea” from the San Francisco based Mitchell Brothers.

Autobiography of a Flea – Mitchell Brothers Films – Director – Sharon McNight – Cast – Annette Haven, Jean Jennings, Joanna Hilden, John C. Holmes, Paul Thomas, Dale Meador, John Leslie, Mitch Mandell, John Rolling, Michael Dolan, Ken Scudder, John Tate and the voice of Warren Pierce.

This masterful production is a period piece and prime example of the era’s best-made films. The story line comes from 19th Century French erotic literature that portrays a young and very innocent girl who is slowly corrupted by the evil doers that surround her life. What makes this film even more outstanding is the girl’s story is told by a flea who lives in her privates. The voice over of the flea is an absolute brilliant piece of work done by Warren Pierce. In the literature it was taken from the girl Belle is just fourteen. In this adaptation the role is played by Jean Jennings who was in her mid 20′s, so there was no problem with the film’s release because the girl’s age is never mentioned in the film as it is in the original French literature.

The film’s beginning has Belle meeting a young man in church. They leave and decide to go to the park and have some sexual fun. Then a priest, Father Ambrose (Paul Thomas), happens to spot them as he walks through the park. He insists that Belle must come and see him privately to receive her punishments and also her salvation from sin. Of course Father Ambrose has other things on his mind, like getting to penetrate Belle sexually and lead her into a depraved world. He also has three of his other priests violate her, one them being John Holmes. From here on Belle’s life tumbles downward as she discovers the love of sex and pleasure and how to bring others into this new world that Father Ambrose opened her to. The movie goes at a brisk pace with some clever plot twists that in some cases become more interesting than the sex. As for the sex scenes they are cleverly wrapped in both soft and hardcore and work very well in context to the story. They are not overly long but pack some solid eroticism and delivered well by the cast. However, as the film continues you do catch on that the Mitchell Brothers put this together with their tongues firmly planted in cheek to keep it from going completely over the edge. Keep in mind this comes from French literature of the Victorian age so the humor that is displayed along with the eroticism plays well for the period this entails. What makes “Autobiography of a Flea” a classic is how this entire story is told. The script is sharp, humorous and the cast is extraordinary in their roles. The period costumes and settings are masterful and the direction by Ms. McNight moves with a tightness that keeps your interest throughout.

One thing I will caution you on. If you are one who likes long, drawn out sex scenes, you won’t find that here. While the hardcore scenes are done very well they are short by today’s standards. However, if you like a story, plot, twists and turns, good actors along with a well done mix of soft and hardcore sex, then the classic “Autobiography of a Flea” is a definite must see film. The reissue is available on DVD and is extremely well reproduced.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

 

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Throwback Thursday – Hall of Fame Stars – Annette Haven

Annette Haven – Inducted 1986

A True Pioneer of the Golden Age

Annette Haven is another porn star who calls Las Vegas her birth home. She was born on December 1, 1954 to very conservative Mormon parents. After graduating from school with good grades, Annette took on several different jobs before the world of porn films came calling. She held jobs as a nurse’s aide, massage therapist and also took her turn as an exotic dancer. According to Ms. Haven, the reason she got into porn considering her religious background, was to prove sex was not sinful. She wanted to show that it could, and should be, pleasurable and enjoyable.

She left the regular job world behind and began doing some gigs as an exotic dancer in San Francisco. It didn’t take long before she became a full fledged stripper. With her natural body, full breasts, a butt that was just about perfect, very expressive and telling eyes she was a real dazzler on stage. Add to that Annette was truly enjoying herself and the reaction she received. Then a chance meeting with porn star Bonnie Holliday during one of her stage shows happened and that opened the door for her entry into adult hardcore films.

Right from the start when she made her debut in Alex De Renzy’s 1973 film “Lady Freaks”, Ms. Haven became a major fan favorite and that popularity is still very evident today almost 47 years later. After that auspicious debut, the extremely talented performer/actress would go on to make many memorable award worthy films in her career. They would include the 1976 classic “Autobiography of A Flea”. She also starred in films like “Femmes De Sade”, “Easy Alice”, “Tell Them Johnny Wadd Is Here” with John Holmes, “Honky Tonk Angels”, “Lust At First Bite” and “Barbara Broadcast” among them.

During her career Ms. Haven did just over 100 films. She was very selective about the productions and cast members she’d work with. She was a class act with a discerning taste in men for her movies and very selective when it came to a film’s content. Ms. Haven was opposed to violence of any kind, facials or bondage. If a film had any of that included she would refuse those scenes. While some producers in the business have let a performer go because they wouldn’t do certain scenes that wasn’t the case with her. Ms. Haven’s star status and her total professionalism ruled. She was not only a tremendous all out sexual performer, but an extremely competent actress who could deliver dialogue with the best and was always the consummate professional on the set.

Ms. Haven retired from adult films in the late ‘80’s. After leaving adult she was able to get in some mainstream work that included the movie “10” with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek. She was even set to have a co starring role in the 1981 hit “The Howling” but turned it down because of her stand on violence. In 1984 Ms. Haven was also very heavily considered for the lead role in the Brian De Palma film “Body Double”. He was very taken with her acting skills and really wanted her for the film’s female lead. However, just as it is today, the big studios would never allow a porn star to have a lead role in a major mainstream movie. So rather than Ms. Haven possibly setting a precedent, the role went to Melanie Griffith, but Annette stayed on as a technical advisor to the film and coach to Ms. Griffith.

Today, at 68, Ms. Haven has been totally divorced from the adult industry since the ‘80’s. She is a member of both the AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame. The last that was known about her was that she was happily married and living a good life in Marin County, California. Thankfully many of the great films of Ms. Havens are available today on DVD, so fans, both old and new, can enjoy one of early porn’s true stars. In addition there is also a website www.annettehaven.com that fans can check out as well.

Annette Haven was definitely one of the most sought after and popular female stars of porn’s golden age and will always be remembered as a major part of the industry’s early growth and success. If you have never had the opportunity to see this very talented Hall of Famer then please check out a couple of the one’s mentioned in this piece and enjoy one of porn’s all time great stars.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

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