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ART OF ADULT – Porn Classics Revisited – “The Story of Joanna” – AVC Films – 1975

This week we take you back forty four years to 1975. What do you remember from that year?  For me, my country music management and artist booking company, Warric Productions, was doing well in the New York-New Jersey area and Nashville. The adult industry and moving to Florida wasn’t even a tiny blip on my radar screen then.

As always we begin with the cost of living in 1975. The average income per year was just $14,500., the average cost of a new 3 bedroom home was around $39,300. You could buy a new Chevrolet Caprice for $4,800 or a Ford Mustang for $4,100. Gas was now a whopping 44 cents a gallon. A loaf of bread was 28 cents, a gallon of milk $1.05 and a record album was $3.99. It was a year when Pet Rocks made their debut and a new candy known as “Jelly Bellies” also made their debut. BIC introduces the disposable razor. The Laser Printer is introduced. Kodak is working on a new product, the digital camera. As for some of the news headlines…….Gerald Ford was President and signs a $2.3 billion loan to New York City to keep them from bankruptcy……..Bill Gates and Paul Allen start up a brand new company called Microsoft that would change the future of the entire world in the years ahead……..There was also the introduction of home video recorders and a battle brewing between VHS and Betamax……..Jimmy Hoffa, the ex teamsters boss disappears and never to be seen again……..Patti Hearst becomes one of America’s Most Wanted and arrested for armed robbery……..U.S. Apollo and Soviet Soyuz 9 spacecraft link up in space, Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts shake hands…….The Vietnam War ends as forces take Saigon and South Vietnam surrenders unconditionally.,,,,,,,The U.S. carries out Vietnam “Operation Babylift” bringing Vietnamese orphans to the U.S.

On the entertainment front among the big hit films in 1975 were Jaws, The Towering Inferno, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Funny Lady and The Godfather II. In pop music the big names included Aerosmith, David Bowie, Chicago, Elton John, Black Sabbath, Bruce Springsteen and The Eagles. For TV watchers among the most popular shows were All in the Family, The Bionic Woman, Sanford and Son, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley. A brand new show made its debut on NBC, Saturday Night Live. Among the celebrities we lost in 1975 were actress Susan Hayward, baseball’s Casey Stengel, writer Rod Serling, comedienne Moms Mabley, Aristotle Onassis and musician T-Bone Walker.

In the world of porn most everything was being filmed all over the New York area. New technology for the time gave films more diversity with an overall better look in cinematography. 1975 produced several top porn films, such as the one we take a look back at today, “The Story of Joanna”.

The Story of Joanna – AVC Films –  Director – Gerard Damiano – Cast – Terri Hall, Juliet Graham, Jamie Gillis, Zebedy Colt, John Busch, Steven Lark, John Koven, Roy Carlton.

While the theme of this film revolves around S&M, it is a true love story, and one of the very best from porn’s golden age. Directed and written by Gerard Damiano who gave the world “Deep Throat” and “The Devil and Miss Jones”, this masterpiece gives Damiano three of the very best to come out of the early golden age. The story line is one that will keep you watching every little move, listen to every word, watch every second of the sex scenes and keep you totally mesmerized right until the very end.

The film centers on Jason (Jamie Gillis) a very wealthy, womanizer who gets what he wants. He meets a debutante, Joanna (Terri Hall) and convinces her to come and be his maid in his castle like home. She is reluctant but something tells her to go ahead and accept his offer. It doesn’t take long after she becomes his maid that she is beginning to fall in love with him. She also sees the other side of him and is subjected to his every sexual whim which she gives into because of her love for him, However Jason tells Joanna that no matter what he cannot, and will not, love her back. She is convinced that she can change him. He also wants her to have sex with others and she complies with his wishes. For some women this would be degradation, but for Joanna it is now a way of life, her love for him is too strong and she is convinced that she can, and will, change him.

The sex scenes in the film have a lot of S&M attached and Ms. Hall handles the role and the sexual scenes extremely well. Her looks and body are the perfect fit for the role of Joanna. There is some tenderness in the sex scenes but they are quickly overtaken by the S&M acts that are performed. There is also one beautifully filmed scene where Jason is being serviced orally by his man servant Griffin (Zebedy Colt). It is done and filmed in such a way that it doesn’t come off as a shocking gay scene at all. The scene where Joanna takes on three men is another that has the lust and love factor as she does it to prove her undying love for Jason. Sexually there is nothing she won’t subject herself to trying to prove her love for him is real even though he continues to tell her he will never return the favor of true love. As the film comes to the end there is a very surprising, and not expected, twist to this story that I will not divulge, that explains the entire reasons for Jason’s control of Joanna. It is extremely well done.

The cinematography and lighting are exceptional. The performances by Gillis and Hall are extremely realistic, the dialogue delivered convincingly. Ms. Hall, a former premier ballet dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet Company, handles her role as Joanna to perfection, while Gillis, who was one of porn’s best actors, turns in another masterful performance. The rest of the cast handle their brief roles well making the characters come to life. An excellent addition to the overall, film is the use of some great classical music pieces to highlight many scenes that add to the overall eroticism.

This is available on DVD and still looks terrific for a film done more than forty years ago. I definitely recommend “The Story of Joanna” an exceptional piece of adult film making and a true classic from porn’s golden age.

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

 

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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 – “Suzie Superstar – Cal Vista – 1983

This week we travel back in time thirty nine years to 1983. What kind of year was it and how much do you remember? The 80’s were quite a decade that would go a long way in shaping the future of the world we live in today.

As always we’ll begin with the cost of living. The average yearly income was $22,000 while the cost of a new 3 bedroom home averaged $89,000. You could buy a Ford Mustang for $6,600, but a gallon of gas had now climbed up to a ridiculous $1.24. As for other prices, a dozen eggs were 86 cents and a gallon of milk $1.75. You could buy a Sony Walkman for $229 and an RCA VCR player for $399, while an Atari 5200 game was $200. A pair of men’s leather shoes was less than $40. In news headlines in the U.S. and elsewhere in 1983……Ronald Reagan was President……..Unemployment in the U.S. rises to 12 million, the highest since 1941……..The UK is the first country to make automobile seat belts mandatory………. Terrorists bomb the US Embassy in Beirut killing 239 Marines and Sailors………The Supreme Court reaffirms its 1973 (Roe Vs Wade) right to abortion………President Reagan orders the invasion of Grenada……. Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast, killing 22, while a 5.2 earthquake hits Central New York………..The first mobile phones are introduced by Motorola and Microsoft Word makes its debut…………Peoples Express is a new “no frills” airline to compete with the big name airlines………The Cabbage Patch doll craze gets bigger………..Sally Ride becomes the first woman astronaut as part of the crew on the Space Shuttle Challenger.

In entertainment some of the year’s top movies included Tootsie, Flashdance, Trading Places, Superman III and National Lampoon’s Vacation. Pop music’s hit makers included The Police, Black Sabbath, Johnny, Cash, David Bowie and Pink Floyd. When it came to TV, Simon & Simon, Dynasty, Cagney and Lacy, Dallas and The Love Boat were among the big hit shows. Also the final episode of M*A*S*H airs with 125 million viewers tuned in. Among the celebrities we lost in 1983 were famed football coach Bear Bryant, TV host/entertainer Arthur Godfrey, singer Karen Carpenter, actress Gloria Swanson, actor David Niven and former heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey.

In the world of porn, the switch from east coast to west coast continued to expand.. New technological advances and the coming of video will make porn a completely different industry. 1983 also brought out some top notch porn films like the one we take a look back at today, “Suzi Superstar”.

“Suzie Superstar” – Cal Vista – Director – Robert McCallum – Cast –  Mai Lin, Sharon Mitchell, Joey Silvera, Ron Jeremy, John Leslie, Tara Aire, Shauna Grant, Jon Martin, Laurie Smith, Aaron Stuart, Laura Lazare, Ken Scudder, Gail Sterling, Ross Roberts

Over the years McCallum gave porn fans some very memorable films that had a plot, story, good acting, plenty of sex and solid production values. With this release McCallum went in a little different direction with a musical adaptation that is campy, corny, but really good and a true classic. It also shows off, to great advantage, the talents of the late Shauna Grant who left this world way too early.

The story revolves around Suzi (Shauna Grant) and her band being basically treated like crap by their agent played to perfection with both charm and as a total a-hole by John Leslie. They want to get away from him and find their way to stardom without him. It turns out that Leslie is having an affair with a mob boss’s daughter. With this knowledge Suzi and her band mates hatch a plan to get rid of Leslie in more ways than one. There are a lot of twists and turns in this well written story to keep your interest level high along with seven sex scenes to spice up the proceedings. The first sex scene has Ron Jeremy as a chauffeur taking on two chicks in the car as payment for letting them get backstage at a Suzi concert. In this film the sex scenes all play a part in the plot of this story, not just add ons because it is a porn flick. McCallum makes sure these steamy scenes play into the  story and what happens with Leslie, Suzi and the rest of the characters.

Overall, the acting is very strong and believable even in this campy style. The music is not bad, all things considered, although Sharon Mitchell as a country singer? The production values are above average and the views from the camera’s eye gives you some great visuals, colors, shadings and feel for the story as it moves along. The sex scenes offer up a decent variety with some very explosive moments. As for the acting, Ms. Grant had so much potential it is a shame her personal life led to her ending her young life that still had so much to give. Leslie, Joey Silvera and Ron Jeremy have always been among the best male actors in porn and made their characters very real, believable and truly come to life. The rest of the cast added a lot with some solid acting chops and bring both humor and drama to the story in just the right doses.

The DVD has some good extras added and the entire film holds up well after all these years. I absolutely recommend checking out a forgotten classic from 1983,  “Suzi Superstar”.

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 – Porn Classics Revisited – Eruption – Cal Vista – 1977

This week we go back forty five years to 1977.  For me and my family, 1977 was the year we made the decision to move from New Jersey to Florida. It turned out to be the right move at the right time in many ways. What do you remember?

As always, we begin by taking a look at the cost of living then. 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 just 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. Some of the 1977 news headlines……New York City suffers a total blackout that lasted more than 24 hours……Jimmy Carter is elected President…….the Trans Alaskan pipeline opens…….The Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr……The much heralded World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City are completed……The death of Elvis Presley at age 42 shocks the entire world……..Apple introduces the first computers…….Voyager I and Voyager II are launched unmanned to explore the outer solar system………A new diet program called Slim Fast comes on the market And of course, who could forget the introduction of the Chia Pet?

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

In the world of porn it was becoming more popular as films continued to mesh good storylines and good acting with sex scenes. Most were still being done in New York, but there was some west coast movement. Regular movie theaters were showing porn films on a limited basis as popularity among older couples began to increase. There were some excellent adult films in 1977 such as the one we revisit today, “Eruption”.

“Eruption” – J.G. Films/ Cal Vista – Director – Stanley Kurlan – Cast – Leslie Bovee, Susan Hart, Carry Welton, John Holmes, Eric Evol, others

This porn classic went where few had gone in porn’s early days. The entire production was filmed on location in Hawaii and it had, for that time, a large budget of more than $45,000 along with a large cast. It was a solid takeoff of a 1944 Hollywood film that had been nominated for seven Oscars, “Double Indemnity” which starred Barbara Stanwyck, Fred McMurray and Edward G. Robinson. When all was said and done director Stanley Kurlan pulled off an excellent adult film that would go on to become one of the true classics of the golden age.

In this X rated version, the story and plot centers on Sandra (Leslie Bovee) a wealthy heiress. She meets up with an insurance salesman, Peter (John Holmes) on the beach. She wants nothing to do with him the first time they meet and can’t stand his forward style. However, Sandra is a deceptive woman and begins to think he just might be the perfect partner for the plan she has. So they get to know each other and she is convinced Peter will be perfect for her devious plot. Sandra persuades Peter to sell her husband a $2 million life insurance policy. After having a sexual encounter with Sandra it’s hard for Peter to resist her in any way. Now that she has Peter hooked she easily persuades him to knock off her husband so she can get the money, they can share it and live happily ever after. He is so wrapped up with Sandra and the sex they have he gives in and does what she asks. It all goes off without a hitch, or does it?  This brings in a hardnosed P.I. and things begin to change. Peter finally puts it all together and realizes Sandra was using him and is going to betray him and leave him hanging.

So he turns to her sex hungry stepdaughter Angie (Susan Hart) to help him turn the tables on her and also Angie’s boyfriend, Scott. As they plan to expose Sandra, they become aware the boyfriend Scott, has been in cahoots with Sandra all along to get the money and then Sandra and Scott would run off together with the money after they do away with Peter and Angie leaving no chance of discovery behind.

The sex scenes are captured very well with great backdrops, lighting and pack plenty of steam. Watching Holmes huge bone getting the oral treatment from Leslie is truly something to see. In turn he gives the ladies a good ride and all of the sex scenes in this film offer plenty of sizzle from a competent cast.

The entire production is extremely well done from every aspect with the great 70’s Hawaiian background. The acting performances are convincing and well done. In probably one of his best roles, Holmes showed some skilled acting chops. Taking a major Hollywood Oscar contender and doing a porn version back then was a very big risk. However, Kurlan and the cast gave the viewers an excellent movie that still holds up today. It has your interest from start to finish because of the dramatic plot as well as the steamy sex that ties the entire production together. You can find it on DVD and I highly recommend getting one of the golden age’s true classics, “Eruption”. It is a film that has everything you could want in an adult offering.

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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Porn Classics Revisited – “I Like to Watch” -Caballero Video – 1982

This week we travel back forty years to 1982. The 80’s were another decade of change and a lot of positives for the future. If you were around then, what do recall from that year?

First, as we always do, we’ll take a look at the cost of living. The average income was just $22,000 a year. The average cost of buying a new 3 bedroom home was $88,000 and the average cost of a new car was $7,900. A gallon of gas was inching towards the $1.00 mark at 91 cents, and we thought that was ridiculous! You could buy a new outdoor gas grill for $250, a Sony 19” color TV for $500, a portable cassette tape recorder for $50. For the kids, a full set of 20 Matchbox cars was $25 (imagine what they are worth today). A postage stamp was just 20 cents. Some of the important news headlines in 1982….…One of the largest cash robberies in history took place in New York City when $9,800,000 is stolen from an armored car….. Tylenol capsules laced with potassium cyanide kill 7 in Chicago……The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC is dedicated…….The first issue of a brand new newspaper, USA Today, is published…… Disney’s Futuristic Park EPCOT opens in Orlando, Florida………Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, is opened to the public as a tourist attraction……..The Weather Channel makes its debut……..Music CD’s make their debut in Japan and soon will be the new way of music listening in the U.S……..It is also the year we are first introduced to the “Smiley” emoticon.

In the world of entertainment, among the hit Hollywood movies were Porky’s, E.T The Extra Terrestrial, On Golden Pond, Annie and Chariots of Fire. The big music makers in 1982 included Michael Jackson and “Thriller”, Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richie and Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder with “Ebony and Ivory”. Thriller would go on to sell 30 million copies. In TV land the most popular shows include Knight Rider, Dynasty, Hill Street Blues and Magnum P.I. Among the celebrities we lost in 1982 were former actress Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco. Also leaving us were actor Henry Fonda, Negro League and ML baseball star Satchel Paige, jazz musician Thelonius Monk and actor/comedian John Belushi.

In the porn world more and more production shifts to California. The home video craze was on the horizon and would change porn forever. New looks on some female stars began to appear.1982 gave us some great adult films like the one we take a look back at today, that became a true classic, “I Like To Watch”.

I Like To Watch – Caballero Video – Director – Paul Vatelli – Cast – Lisa De Leeuw, Little Oral Annie, Patricia Manning, Anna Pierce, Mike Horner, Dave  Cannon, Herschel Savage, Kevin James, others and introducing Bridgette Monet.

Not only did this film become a classic, it was also the debut of Bridgette Monet that would make her a major adult star. The title says it all as Laura (Bridgette Monet) peeks in on her Aunt Leticia (Patricia Manning) and her lover Phillip (Herschel Savage). Leticia, who is a fashion designer asks her protégé Kim (Little Oral Annie) to call a plumber. Then we have the maid Gretchen (Anna Pierce) peeping on Kim with the plumber Mark (Kevin James). Kim shows the maid it can be better with a woman. Laura is peeking on them and frustrated her boyfriend Michael (Mike Horner) doesn’t want to have any sex. She is comforted by Leticia’s client Linda (Lisa De Leeuw). Initially peeking, Linda’s husband Montag (David Cannon) eventually switches roles with his wife and gets it on with Laura.

Visiting Laura, Michael is jumped by models Honey (Elayna DiSantis) and Cinnamon (Linda Shaw). Leticia’s fashion show finally gets underway but meanwhile, as Michael’s experience has restored his passion, he finally offers himself to Laura telling her things have changed and it will all be better. In the meantime there are other little sub plots and storylines that fit in well with this production as it moves along at a good pace.

It is a very erotic film with some exceptional performances. There is Little Oral Annie at her talented best and the electricity between Lisa DeLeuuw and Bridgette Monet is off the charts as they are being watched by Lisa’s lover. Making it even better is the acting which is way above average giving the film plenty of reality. In addition to the voyeuristic story there is also some comedy thrown in here and there that also fits well within the film’s frame work.

The direction by Vatelli is well paced, the settings and production values are excellent and the cinematography is top notch. As for the cast, as we said, this film made Ms. Monet a star, but Lisa De Leeuw became a major star herself and the very talented Little Oral Annie lives up to her name. On the male side, both Mike Horner (as Don Hart in this film) and Herschel Savage would go on to have huge careers in porn for many years.

It is a true classic in every sense and available on DVD. “I Like to Watch” is definitely one from the golden age I highly recommend getting hold of and enjoying.

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

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From the NightMoves Vault – 1998 – Double Feature – Wicked Pictures

Here is our original review from this 1998 film that has become a classic. If you want to laugh while enjoying some sizzling sex, then this masterpiece is just the right recipe, so check it out.

Double Feature – Wicked Pictures – Director – Jonathan Morgan – Cast – Serenity, Jewel De Nyle, Kary Evers, Sana Fey, Shanna McCullough, Ursula Moore, Danielle Rodgers, Stephanie Swift, Randy Spears, Mickey G., Ian Daniels, Herschel Savage, Anthony Crane, others.

Fans of porn were blessed with a sex comedy that still holds up today as one of the funniest ever done. Jonathan Morgan took a break from his dramatic films to put this spoof together of the 1950’s B movies about sci fi, aliens, monsters and other creatures. What he wound up with was film that swept the 1999 AVN awards and one of the most clever and funniest ever done in porn. In this film however, the sex scenes somewhat take a back seat to the hilarity that comes across from the characterizations in this exceptional spoof.

If this film doesn’t make you laugh, laugh and laugh some more than I suggest a visit to your doctor to help him find your sense of humor. When I first reviewed this film for NightMoves Magazine in 1998, I was still laughing as I wrote the review and said then it was a no brainer for multiple awards and it took home plenty of them. I have viewed this several times since and still laugh, and still find things I missed in previous viewings.

Morgan brought together a great cast headed by Randy Spears and Serenity done in black and white with the sex scenes in color. It opens with host Anthony Crane taking you into the theater for previews of coming films starring Suzie Cheesecake (Serenity) and Rip Rockwell (Randy Spears) and with titles like ‘Gangbang Zombies’, a horror movie, ‘Death Rides a Rubber Horse’, a murder mystery where someone is murdering blow-up dolls and ‘Attack of the Twelve-Story Dildos’, a sci fi flick. Already the laughs have begun with these previews before we even get to the two main features. A word here about Anthony Crane, while he does not take part in any sex scenes, he is all over the film. Aside from being your opening host, Crane plays about six or eight different roles throughout the film and is simply brilliant in every one.

After the previews we get the first feature, ‘Attack of the Bimbos From Outer Space’. The aliens are Shanna McCullough and Kary Evers and Commander Clitora from Uranus, Jewel De’Nyle. They land their UFO in a little hick town and the fun with the locals begins with one laugh after another. Then the heroes of this movie show up, Trent Nerdski (Randy & Rip) and Judy Luvjoy (Suzie & Serenity). Clitora announces to them they are going to take over and their sexuality will not be resisted. General Slowmo (Herschel Savage) isn’t going to take this lying down. After finishing an office war maneuver reminiscent of the film “Stripes” he sends a commando squad to destroy the aliens. What takes place is hilarious and very sexual. Of course the hero steps in and saves the world, but how it is all done and what takes place is filled with sex and laughs.

Then the second feature ‘Man Made Beast” a spoof of the monster films comes next. Dr. Shelley (Serenity), is a mad scientist who can’t find a man who can satisfy her. She has an assistant, Tabitha (Sana Fey) complete with a hump on her back. Tabitha mentions the problem maybe she needs to try females but that doesn’t work, so Dr. Shelley creates a monster to satisfy her sexual needs. She only needs one more piece, a cock, so she sends Tabitha for one. What follows is pure hilarity when it comes to this new cock. It is especially funny and somewhat grotesque when Tabitha moves her hump to the front and takes on the monster (Randy Spears) to see if the new cock works. There is a lot more that takes place with Dr. Shelley, the monster, the people in the village and the sex.

Suffice to say Jonathan Morgan was spot on with everything here. The writing was sharp, clever, very funny and with some great over the top acting by the cast. The camera work was exceptional with the black and white morphing into color for the sex scenes. The sets, costuming and makeup were on the money and the music was perfect to give it that 50’s feel. The sex scenes were steamy even with the fun attached and Serenity showed why she was one of the most popular performers of the time, talk about being like a rubber band…wow! Jewel De Nyle and the other girls held their own, but top honors go to Randy Spears who was just outstanding in his varied roles. For the performers, staying character during the sex scenes was no easy chore, but they all managed to get through it. The entire production was masterfully put together.

The film swept the 1999 AVN awards, rightfully so and is a true classic of porn. It is available on DVD with some solid extras added. If there is one comedy classic to watch, enjoy and be totally entertained by, “Double Feature” is a must see. Just be prepared to laugh and watch for some of the sight gags along the way. This is one porn film you do not want to miss!

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

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Porn Classics Revisited – The Devil in Miss Jones – VCX – 1973

Can you believe that this week’s classic was done almost fifty years ago? Wow, time does fly! The 70’s were a defining decade in many ways. If you were around then, what do you remember from that year?

As we always do, we begin with the cost of living back then. The U.S. average yearly income was $13,000. The average cost of new 3 bedroom home was $32,500 and if you rented the average for an apartment was $175 a month. The cost of a gallon of gas was at 40 cents and brand new cars ranged from $2,900 for an AMC Javelin or about $3,900 for a Ford Galaxy. As for food, a dozen eggs went for 45 cents, Morton’s TV Dinners were 39 cents, pork roast was just 59 cents a pound. As for some items, how about 8-track stereo tape player for $50, a Crock Pot cooker $18. And one of the fashions “in” things for men were Paisley slacks for $23. Here were some of the news headlines in 1973……The Alaska Oil Pipeline bill is passed to allow construction of a pipeline to access oil from the North Slope of Alaska…….The Supreme Court rules on Roe v. Wade and makes abortion a US constitutional right…….Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned after dealing with charges of tax evasion and receiving bribes……..The Sears Tower is completed. With 108 floors and being a 1,729 foot tall structure it would be the tallest building in the world at the time………The famed New York Yankees baseball team is sold by CBS to a group headed by ship builder George Steinbrenner……….US Troops are withdrawn from Vietnam and U.S. involvement in Vietnam as the war ends with the signing of the peace treaty………The Watergate Hearings begin in the U.S. Senate and President Richard Nixon tells the nation, “I am not a crook.”……The Bahamas gain independence from Great Britain.

In 1973 some of the big hit films from Hollywood included The Exorcist, Deliverance, Live and Let Die, Jesus Christ Superstar, American Graffiti and The Sting. In the world of pop music some of the big hit makers were Stevie Wonder, Elton John, ABBA, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney & Wings. When it came to the hit TV shows they included The Odd Couple, The Partridge Family, Columbo, McMillan and Wife, M*A*S*H and The Bob Newhart Show. Among the celebrity deaths were former President Lyndon B. Johnson, painter Pablo Picasso, singer Bobby Darin, actor Bruce Lee, actor Edward G. Robinson. playwright  Noel Coward, actress Betty Grable and singer Jim Croce.

Porn was still in the early stages of what would become known as the golden age. Just about everything was filmed in the New York area. Some non adult theaters began showing porn on a limited basis to packed houses. Many New York TV and Broadway technicians were moonlighting on adult films for extra income. One of the groundbreaking films of 1973 would become an all time classic as we take a look back at, “The Devil in Miss Jones”

“The Devil in Miss Jones” – Director – Gerard Diamiano – Cast – Georgina Spelvin,  Judith Hamilton (Claire Lumiere), Sue Flaken, Harry Reems, John Clemens, Marc Stevens, Levi Richards,  Gerard Damiano (Albert Gork)

This was a groundbreaking adult film that would set the tone for everything that followed. It was a film that had a mainstream feel with a very good story line, terrific plot and a cast that could really act, deliver lines in believable fashion and make their characters very real. Ms. Spelvin had performed on Broadway as a singer, dancer and actress before porn. She even took over the lead role in “Pajama Game” from Shirley McLaine when she left for Hollywood and a film career. Mr. Reems studied with the New York Theater Ensemble and National Shakespeare Company and had done some off Broadway productions prior to getting into the world of porn. This would also be the benchmark for director Damiano as he would always employ actors who could act and not just have sex and perform in well written, story line and plot films, which became his trademark.

This film is one of the greatest porn classics of all time and in some ways was ahead of its time in some of the scenes and dialogue that take place in the film. The story centers around Justine (Georgina Spelvin) who is a lonely, virginal spinster who has never had a relationship, sexual or otherwise. She has led a very simple, pure life but now is at her wit’s end about the miserable life she has. So while Justin is in the tub taking a bath she also decides to take her own life by slitting her wrists. She feels that she will be better off in Heaven. However, because she committed the sin of suicide she is not allowed to enter Heaven.

Abaca (John Clemens) is the one who makes the decisions on who goes to Heaven or Hell. She pleads with him about wanting to feel the lustful desires she never did. Abaca decides to give her one more chance to redeem herself and sends her back to earth so she can experience all of the lust and sex she missed out on. Once she is back she meets The Teacher (Harry Reems) who wastes no time showing her what she must do, what she has missed and it begins with him taking care of her in every way, including some anal (which was rare back then).

Justine is just getting started with her sexual cravings and lust filled life back on earth as there are several other scenes that The Teacher gets her to live out in her need to be a total slut. One of them is a three way that takes place with Marc Stevens and Levi Richard. At one point as they double penetrate her (also a rarity then) she asked the men if they can feel themselves rubbing against each other inside her, do they enjoy it and how does it feel? That might not work today. Still it is an engrossing scene that allows for Justine to get ravaged and enjoy another thing she had missed. There is much more that takes place sexually and non sexually before Justine’s time is up and she can then go to either Heaven or Hell. Ms. Spelvin’s performance throughout is simply brilliant. Where does she end up and how does this end? I will leave that for you to discover in this all time classic. I will tell you that the ending is one you do not want to miss.

Here it is forty nine years later and this film still holds a deep fascination for porn fans and rightly so. The cast is superlative in every way, the camera work is exquisite, the writing, music, settings all make this film the classic it became. If there is one film from the golden age to have,  Gerard Damiano’s “The Devil in Miss Jones” is it. This film spawned a lot of sequels in the years after, but this, the original, now on DVD is the ONLY one truly worth your time.

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

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Porn Classics Revisited – Never So Deep – VCX Films – 1981

This week we go  back forty, yes I said forty, years to1981. It was the beginning of a new decade and a future that seemed to have nothing but good things in every way ahead.What do you remember from that year?

As always we begin by taking a look at what the cost of living was in 1981. The average income was just $21,000 a year and a new 3 bedroom home averaged $78,000. A gallon of gas was now all the way up to $1.25. In the grocery store turkey was 55 cents a pound and a dozen eggs just 90 cents. A new Zenith 19” color TV sold for $450 and a Tandy TRS 80 PC1 was $150.00. The kids could get the new Star Wars figure set for $30 (imagine what that is worth today) and ladies leather boots were the fashion and went for $50. Some of the news headlines around the world and the U.S………In 1981, Ronald Regan was now President of the U.S………., Iran releases 52 American hostages who had been held for 444 days…………In the UK, Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales……Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is assassinated………Sandra Day O’Connor is nominated to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court……….The introduction of the first Frequent Flyer Miles AAdvantage is introduced by American Airlines……… The first American test-tube baby is born……Reagan fires the air controllers after they go on strike……Walter Cronkite retires as a CBS news anchor and replaced by Dan Rather…….The first flight of US Space Shuttle Columbia takes place…….IBM launches its first PC which uses Microsoft Software  and the term INTERNET is first mentioned.

In the world of entertainment among the hit movies in 1981 were Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Stripes and Porky’s. In the pop music world some of the hit makers included Air Supply, Blondie, Kool and the Gang, Dolly Parton and REO Speedwagon. As for TV among the hit shows were Dallas, Three’s Company, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart and Dukes of Hazard. We lost a number of celebrities that year among them former actress Princess Grace Kelly, actor/comedian John Belushi, actor Henry Fonda, rock and roller Bill Haley and former Heavyweight boxing champ Joe Louis.

In the adult industry,  New York was still producing some porn, but more studios and films were now headquartered in California. The VHS craze was coming to the U.S. and would change the face of porn forever. The year produced some great adult fare such as the film that we take a look back at today, ”Never So Deep”.

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Never So Deep – VCX Films – Director – Gerard Damiano – Cast – Loni Sanders, Lysa Thatcher, Tigr, Anna Turner, Brooke West, Maria Tortuga, Sonya Summers, Tara Aire, Ingrid Pierce, Mike Horner (Don Hart), Mike Ranger, Paul Thomas, Richard Pacheco, Jon Martin

Once again we get another top rated film from director Gerard Damiano with an excellent cast who are able to mix some very good comedy with good sex scenes and make it all work as a solid entertainment piece for adults.

The gist of the story involves Private eye Ginger Trueheart (Loni Sanders) and sidekick Sam Strong (Mike Ranger) who are summoned to the mansion of girlie magazine magnate Huge Heffer (Paul Thomas) with the assignment to track down a girl he met one night on a drunken binge. The only thing he can remember about her is the butterfly tattoo on her butt and her fantastic oral skills. This fun premise takes our PI’s to the seamy side of San Francisco in the early ‘80s with all sorts of hot action along the way.

Ranger trades oral favors with Tara Aire at the mansion and gets to sample the throats of Brooke West, Sonya Sommers and Victoria Slick all in the line of duty of course. Peepshow booth babe Lynx Cannon and prostitute Anna Turner manage to identify the Mystery Woman who goes by the name of Brandy Wine (Maria Tortuga) now working as an assistant on TV commercials directed by the ridiculously pompous and over the top Carlo Bellafondue (Richard Pacheco). As Ginger goes undercover, trying to land the lead in a personal hygiene infomercial  by pleasing both director and the sponsor (Mike Horner), Hef tries to take his mind off things with the help of Miss November (Lysa Thatcher) who stages a tryst with fellow-Misses May and December (Tigr and Ingrid Pierce).

Damiano throws in a lot of funny bits of business and dialogue that really makes this film not only sexually arousing, but also good comedy. The acting by the whole cast is solid and despite the humor (would love to see the outtakes) they stay in character bringing a sense of realism and believability to their roles. The cinematography is exceptionally well done with some great exterior shots giving this film some excellent visuals.

Known for his heavy hitting dramatic and thought provoking titles from the golden age, Damiano exhibits a whole different look here with “Never So Deep” that is very sexy and fun adult entertainment. It is another of the great classics now available on DVD. Do yourself a favor and check this one out. It is extremely couples friendly and will provide you with a very entertaining treat.

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

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