Showing posts with label Porn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Porn. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Friday, June 8, 2012
I'm Just Wild About Harry Novak
A flashback post from 2009 when I watched a exploitation classic called AXE (1974). 
AXE was basically THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT meets THE LEGEND OF LZZIE BORDEN with a small dose of John Waters. What was most intriguing is that the dvd featured trailers from the same original distributor Harry Novak and his Box Office International schlockhouse. Harry Novak has been dubbed "The Sultan of Sexploitation" and "The King of Camp," but his films ran the gamut of the exploitation genres - including monster films like PLEASE DON'T EAT MY MOTHER (1973)...
as well as documentaries (MONDO MOD, 1967) and horror films (THE CHILD, 1977).
His signature logo elevated him to the distinction of being the Walt Disney or Louie B. Mayer of exploitation - with the exception that Harry stressed quantity over quality. Harry was notorious for not spending one nickel more than was needed to get a film made. He would watch industry trends and create a dirtier and more violent knock-off of whatever was selling tickets at the time. These include MIDNIGHT PLOWBOY (1971)...
plus THE LAST TANGO IN ACAPULCO (1975), EROTIC ENCOUNTERS OF THE FOURTH KIND (1975) and THE BLACK CONNECTION (1974). Harry once said "When I was a kid, my Daddy told me, 'There's a buyer for everything' and I lived to find out that he was right." Novak's began his career in showbiz at Howard Hughes' RKO Studios - by booking and selling films as well as designing ads and marketing campaigns, ironically, for the Disney films that RKO was distributing! It must have been Hughes' admiration for full-figured women that inspired Novak to set out on his own after RKO's collaspse. After taking a crash course in distribution, by selling re-dubbed foreign "art films" that featured partially clad women. He soon formed Box Office International in 1964.
Harry had now started producing and distributing a string of his own films - all lowbrow, crude and very violent - this made sense since violence was allowed to be screened even where sex wasn't.
KISS ME QUICK! - a sci-fi parody of DR. STRANGELOVE about strippers - was his first big drive-in success. Over 200 entertainingly trashy features followed. Some great titles include MANTIS IN LACE (1968)...
as well as TOYS ARE NOT FOR CHILDREN (1972), WILBUR & THE BABY FACTORY (1970) and BOOBY TRAP (1970).
As standards continued to relax, Novak's films began to resemble softcore pornography- as full frontal nudity by both women and men and simulated sex scenes became the norm. A string of lurid sexy crime thrillers like THE GODSON (1971)...
and dirty martial arts romps (SEXUAL KUNG FU IN HONG KONG,1974), white trash hillbilly sex comedies (COUNTRY CUZZINS, 1970)...
and ambitious period sex farces (like THE SECRET SEX LIVES OF ROMEO & JULIET,1969) followed...all with tantalizing ad campaigns.
By the late 70s - hardcore porn became the norm and Box Office International transformed into Valiant Pictures International in 1978. Harry's last film was 1983's MOMENTS IN LOVE. Lucky for us most of his films are available on dvd via Something Weird.
AXE was basically THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT meets THE LEGEND OF LZZIE BORDEN with a small dose of John Waters. What was most intriguing is that the dvd featured trailers from the same original distributor Harry Novak and his Box Office International schlockhouse. Harry Novak has been dubbed "The Sultan of Sexploitation" and "The King of Camp," but his films ran the gamut of the exploitation genres - including monster films like PLEASE DON'T EAT MY MOTHER (1973)...
as well as documentaries (MONDO MOD, 1967) and horror films (THE CHILD, 1977).
His signature logo elevated him to the distinction of being the Walt Disney or Louie B. Mayer of exploitation - with the exception that Harry stressed quantity over quality. Harry was notorious for not spending one nickel more than was needed to get a film made. He would watch industry trends and create a dirtier and more violent knock-off of whatever was selling tickets at the time. These include MIDNIGHT PLOWBOY (1971)...
plus THE LAST TANGO IN ACAPULCO (1975), EROTIC ENCOUNTERS OF THE FOURTH KIND (1975) and THE BLACK CONNECTION (1974). Harry once said "When I was a kid, my Daddy told me, 'There's a buyer for everything' and I lived to find out that he was right." Novak's began his career in showbiz at Howard Hughes' RKO Studios - by booking and selling films as well as designing ads and marketing campaigns, ironically, for the Disney films that RKO was distributing! It must have been Hughes' admiration for full-figured women that inspired Novak to set out on his own after RKO's collaspse. After taking a crash course in distribution, by selling re-dubbed foreign "art films" that featured partially clad women. He soon formed Box Office International in 1964.Harry had now started producing and distributing a string of his own films - all lowbrow, crude and very violent - this made sense since violence was allowed to be screened even where sex wasn't.
KISS ME QUICK! - a sci-fi parody of DR. STRANGELOVE about strippers - was his first big drive-in success. Over 200 entertainingly trashy features followed. Some great titles include MANTIS IN LACE (1968)...
as well as TOYS ARE NOT FOR CHILDREN (1972), WILBUR & THE BABY FACTORY (1970) and BOOBY TRAP (1970).
As standards continued to relax, Novak's films began to resemble softcore pornography- as full frontal nudity by both women and men and simulated sex scenes became the norm. A string of lurid sexy crime thrillers like THE GODSON (1971)...
and dirty martial arts romps (SEXUAL KUNG FU IN HONG KONG,1974), white trash hillbilly sex comedies (COUNTRY CUZZINS, 1970)...
and ambitious period sex farces (like THE SECRET SEX LIVES OF ROMEO & JULIET,1969) followed...all with tantalizing ad campaigns.
By the late 70s - hardcore porn became the norm and Box Office International transformed into Valiant Pictures International in 1978. Harry's last film was 1983's MOMENTS IN LOVE. Lucky for us most of his films are available on dvd via Something Weird.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
We're Gonna Turn You On...
Celebrating the start of a new television season, I've decided to look back at some of my favorite shows of the past. Yawn - how many times have I done this already? Okay instead let's look at the porn versions of them.... (This blog post may not be safe for work - depending where you work.
First up, we've got THIS AIN'T GOOD TIMES - what happens when you take one of the best Norman Lear sitcoms (and a MAUDE spin-off) of the 70s and add in a bunch of women with large butts and this is what you get! As fake JJ would say "Din-E-Mite!"
Next up, we visit the Stone Age with THE FLINTSTONES, a live-action "homage" to the classic Hanna-Barbera animated series. Looks like you'll have a (not )gay old time in Bedrock! Check it out here. Perfect casting on Mr,. Slate!
Back to the 70s with WKRP IN CINCINNATI - and just like the DVD release of the original show, this parody also has to navigate around music clearance issues. Check it out the trailer.
Even Saturday morning staple SCOOBY-DOO joins in on the fun. Jinkies! See the live-action trailer here! Zoinks!
Another Norman Lear classic sitcom, THE JEFFERSONS gets the porn treatment too. Wonder what Mother Jefferson would say? Or Mr. Bentley for that matter.
And finally, everybody's favorite 80s family, the Huxtables gets a good once-over as well. Grab a pudding pop! LOL.
Has any show from my childhood escape the XXX parody craze? Well, so far no ELECTRIC COMPANY triple X. Yet.
Has any show from my childhood escape the XXX parody craze? Well, so far no ELECTRIC COMPANY triple X. Yet.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
More Random TV GUIDE Ads - HERE'S LUCY
First up, Desi Jr. is making a porno and mom's in the cast! Well, that's what the brilliant minds at CBS wanted us to think. Actually the concept of Desi Jr. making porn puts him years ahead of Dick Smothers Jr., who took that career path in real life. Though Dick appeared in front of the camera, as well as behind. That's a subject for an entirely different blog post. Shades of Helen Wood/Dolly Sharp. Anyways, back to Lucy.
Monday, July 4, 2011
A Bicentennial Minute
From Porn to Pot....
From KISS to Liberace...
And from Playboy to CBS News...
Just about every aspect of popular culture was part of the celebration - which seemed to start in 1974 and end sometime in 1977. These were special years for me and I look back at the Bicentennial fondly, knowing that I will probably never see a celebration as big or important again in my life. And if I do, I hope Barbie has just the right outfit to celebrate along with me.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Selections from My Library: BRAWNY and MUSIC CAMP
Reorganizing my book shelf as part of "spring cleaning" brought a few treasures in my gay pulp paperback collection to the forefront. These two just happen to have a decidedly musical bent. First up, Brawny by Chris Milano.
Not to be confused with the paper towel of the same name, Brawny is the rare well-designed cover featuring a stunning photo of a young blonde guitarist and great typography. This 1975 page turner begins with this introduction: "A young man sat in the second row of the deserted theater staring up at Story (a character's name!) from the shadows...There was a glow in his lean good looks, tawny as if he had come in from the west. Yet he seemed too lean for the strength of his looks. He had large biceps without the knottiness of a weightlifter, and they filled his red pullover which was frayed around the edges of the short sleeves. A couple of threads hung from the waistband and gave emphasis to the bulge of his tight cords. Every worn furrow of the corduroy seemed to call attetion to the crotch..." Brawny indeed. Readers might want to keep a roll of Brawny handy... just in case. Wonder if Amazon carries it?
Music Camp by Andrew Martin was obviously the inspiration for the recent Disney Channel film, CAMP ROCK. From 1990, this novel features chapters called "Sharing a Meal," "Strategy Conference," "Plucked and Blown" and the obvious "Standing Ovation". I love that the cover features a mortice exclaiming "ALL-NEW!" so readers won't get it mixed up with other novels they may have about music camp. How thoughtful!
Not to be confused with the paper towel of the same name, Brawny is the rare well-designed cover featuring a stunning photo of a young blonde guitarist and great typography. This 1975 page turner begins with this introduction: "A young man sat in the second row of the deserted theater staring up at Story (a character's name!) from the shadows...There was a glow in his lean good looks, tawny as if he had come in from the west. Yet he seemed too lean for the strength of his looks. He had large biceps without the knottiness of a weightlifter, and they filled his red pullover which was frayed around the edges of the short sleeves. A couple of threads hung from the waistband and gave emphasis to the bulge of his tight cords. Every worn furrow of the corduroy seemed to call attetion to the crotch..." Brawny indeed. Readers might want to keep a roll of Brawny handy... just in case. Wonder if Amazon carries it?
Music Camp by Andrew Martin was obviously the inspiration for the recent Disney Channel film, CAMP ROCK. From 1990, this novel features chapters called "Sharing a Meal," "Strategy Conference," "Plucked and Blown" and the obvious "Standing Ovation". I love that the cover features a mortice exclaiming "ALL-NEW!" so readers won't get it mixed up with other novels they may have about music camp. How thoughtful!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
CANNED HAM
Last night, I attended a preview performance of Tom Judson's auto-biographical solo show “Canned Ham”. The show documents hunky Mr Judson’s strange trajectory from Off-Off Broadway composer and performance artist to Broadway actor to this surprising career turn as gay porn superstar Gus Mattox!
In between wonderful accordion arrangements of familiar showtunes, Tom recounts working with such folks as director Rob Marshall, stage goddess Ann Magnuson (who was in attendance), actress Teri Hatcher, and porn mogul Chi Chi LaRue. Show biz stories, male escort adventures and touching remembrances of his late partner Bruce make for an evening of both laughter and tears.
“Canned Ham” is opens tonight - Friday, April 30 at 9pm and will run Fridays and Saturdays at 9pm and Sundays at 7pm through May 16. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available online here. The Cavern Club Theater at Casita del Campo is located at 1920 Hyperion Avenue in Silver Lake.Visit Tom's blog here.
Monday, June 8, 2009
PORNOGRAPHY: World Premiere in New York City Tonight
As mentioned previously, I worked as Production Designer and Property Master on a provocative film called PORNOGRAPHY. 
PORNOGRAPHY is premiering tonight, June 8th at Newfest, the New York LGBT Film Festival. It will also screen at Frameline, the San Francisco LGBT Film Festival on June 21 and at Outfest in Los Angeles in July. Here's the trailer again to whet your appetite.
PORNOGRAPHY is premiering tonight, June 8th at Newfest, the New York LGBT Film Festival. It will also screen at Frameline, the San Francisco LGBT Film Festival on June 21 and at Outfest in Los Angeles in July. Here's the trailer again to whet your appetite.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Give the People What They Want: Nudesploitation
Recently I asked visitors to my blog (via a poll) what they want to see more of on this here very site. Overwhelmingly "Naked Guys" was what they replied. Who am I to judge? So rather than turn "Dougsploitation" into an ADULTS ONLY site, I've decided to spinoff "Nudesploitation".
"Nudesploitation" will stand on its own, under Blogger's strict CONTENT WARNING policy. Think of it as Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. I hope to make "Nudesploitation" as much fun as this blog, therefore I won't be repeating the same porn pix you see on every other gay adult site. "Nudesploitation" will feature vintage nudes, rare celebrity nudes, offbeat collectibles and advertising-just about anything sexy and sometimes silly. So, check it out if you dare-or just continue to enjoy good, old-fashioned "Dougsploitation". There's nothing dirty going on!
"Nudesploitation" will stand on its own, under Blogger's strict CONTENT WARNING policy. Think of it as Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. I hope to make "Nudesploitation" as much fun as this blog, therefore I won't be repeating the same porn pix you see on every other gay adult site. "Nudesploitation" will feature vintage nudes, rare celebrity nudes, offbeat collectibles and advertising-just about anything sexy and sometimes silly. So, check it out if you dare-or just continue to enjoy good, old-fashioned "Dougsploitation". There's nothing dirty going on!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
PORNOGRAPHY: You Know You Want to Watch.
Here's the amazing trailer for a film called PORNOGRAPHY from my friends at Triple Fire.
Yours truly worked on this film as Production Designer and Property Master. PORNOGRAPHY will be hitting the festival circuit in the summer of '09.
PORNOGRAPHY will be hitting the festival circuit in the summer of '09. World Premiere: Newfest, the New York LGBT Film Festival, June 8.
Frameline, the San Francisco LGBT Film Festival, June 21.
Frameline, the San Francisco LGBT Film Festival, June 21.
You Know You Want to Watch.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
From Last August. In Memory of Jack Wrangler (1946-2009)
What do BONANZA, Rose Marie and gay porn have in common? Jack Wrangler of course!
Jeffery Schwarz's WRANGLER: ANATOMY OF AN ICON is a stunning new documentary chronicling the story of Jack Stillman, a Hollywood brat (his dad was one of BONANZA's producers) who went from legit acting (bit parts on THE MOD SQUAD and MEDICAL CENTER) to modeling to being the king of 1970s gay porn to straight porn and back to legit showbiz (producing musical theater). Along the way he found unexpected companionship and love with sophisticated songbird Margaret Whiting (pal of Rose Marie)!
This true Hollywood story is a treat - as entertaining as it is informative. An unfiltered portrait of the blond-haired, blue eyed nice guy who just happened to be a porn star. Featuring some great clips from Jack's films and interviews with folks as diverse as Christine Ebersole, Samantha Fox, Chi Chi La Rue, Gloria Leonard, Rod McKuen, Marc Shaiman, Bruce Vilanch and Carol Woods.
Jeffery Schwarz's WRANGLER: ANATOMY OF AN ICON is a stunning new documentary chronicling the story of Jack Stillman, a Hollywood brat (his dad was one of BONANZA's producers) who went from legit acting (bit parts on THE MOD SQUAD and MEDICAL CENTER) to modeling to being the king of 1970s gay porn to straight porn and back to legit showbiz (producing musical theater). Along the way he found unexpected companionship and love with sophisticated songbird Margaret Whiting (pal of Rose Marie)!
This true Hollywood story is a treat - as entertaining as it is informative. An unfiltered portrait of the blond-haired, blue eyed nice guy who just happened to be a porn star. Featuring some great clips from Jack's films and interviews with folks as diverse as Christine Ebersole, Samantha Fox, Chi Chi La Rue, Gloria Leonard, Rod McKuen, Marc Shaiman, Bruce Vilanch and Carol Woods.Available on dvd from TLA Releasing.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A Coal in My Stocking
Yesterday, for the first time since I started blogging (in Sept. 2007), I received hate mail.
The email was in response to a review of the bizarre Italian Christmas film, THE CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST WASN'T - which my good friend Danny reviewed (more like dissected) on November 26th of last year.
Rather than ignore it, I have decided to address it here. In the spirit of the season, I will substitute some of the more colorful words with seasonal favorites. Notes will follow...
Mr. Anonymous writes... "Let's see if I can be as crude and mean spirited in my acessment of YOUR REVIEW of this movie Mr.Dougy...why don't you take this DVD and rub it up against YOUR reindeer you imbecile. You dumb, hateful SNOWMAN SHMUCK--go sing Christmas Carols to your porn and leave decent wholesome films to people with a SOUL--SCROOGE!"
Okay, first of all - if Mr. Anonymous would have bothered to actually read the "review" he (or she) might have known it wasn't written by me. My pal Danny has a wildly offbeat sense of humor and his interpretation of events in the film are the way he sees it. It's called comedy.
Second of all - rub a dvd against my reindeer? That's just sick.
Third of all - "my porn" that he is probably referring to is the feature film SOCKET which I co-produced and art directed. Which by the way, has it's television debut on Logo in January. It is not porn, it is science fiction. FYI -Netflix does not rent porn. Who's the Snowman now? Besides I'd rather sing Christmas Carols to DudeTube.
Fourth of all - THE CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST WASN'T is not a decent, wholesome film - it's a disturbing, unsettling and just plain creepy oddity that makes my skin crawl.
Fifth of all - I have no Soul? Okay, you got me there. I can't dance or sing to save my life.
So, Happy Holidays, Mr. Anonymous - I hope you don't get any coal in your stocking. Hugs & Kisses, Mr. A. - from the dumb and hateful imbecile called Mr. Dougy!
Mr. Anonymous writes... "Let's see if I can be as crude and mean spirited in my acessment of YOUR REVIEW of this movie Mr.Dougy...why don't you take this DVD and rub it up against YOUR reindeer you imbecile. You dumb, hateful SNOWMAN SHMUCK--go sing Christmas Carols to your porn and leave decent wholesome films to people with a SOUL--SCROOGE!"
Okay, first of all - if Mr. Anonymous would have bothered to actually read the "review" he (or she) might have known it wasn't written by me. My pal Danny has a wildly offbeat sense of humor and his interpretation of events in the film are the way he sees it. It's called comedy.
Second of all - rub a dvd against my reindeer? That's just sick.
Third of all - "my porn" that he is probably referring to is the feature film SOCKET which I co-produced and art directed. Which by the way, has it's television debut on Logo in January. It is not porn, it is science fiction. FYI -Netflix does not rent porn. Who's the Snowman now? Besides I'd rather sing Christmas Carols to DudeTube.
Fourth of all - THE CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST WASN'T is not a decent, wholesome film - it's a disturbing, unsettling and just plain creepy oddity that makes my skin crawl.
Fifth of all - I have no Soul? Okay, you got me there. I can't dance or sing to save my life.
So, Happy Holidays, Mr. Anonymous - I hope you don't get any coal in your stocking. Hugs & Kisses, Mr. A. - from the dumb and hateful imbecile called Mr. Dougy!
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