Thursday, March 31, 2005

The Old Porno Flicks and the Mystic Behind Them

Seems that Time Magazine has hit a sentimental chord in its latest issue.

Richard Corliss writes about when porn was good. While he fondly recalls straight porn, the gay reader can learn a bit about how gay porn spun off as well.

These early porno flicks like Deep Throat were shot on film. For at least 20 years, they have been shot on tape for video and now most have found a home on DVD. But before that time, porn was grainy and according to the author, exciting. It was adventurous because it was illegal.

He claims that porn was bloder, weirder, better, had a plot and executed sex like the actors really meant it. There were the stag films of whores and their johns. But things were getting better. There were European imports like the 1969 documentary, "Pornography in Denmark".

It showed penetration, a true signal of a real porn flick. After that, "Mona" a saga about a daughter and a mother. And the recipe started, the boy/girl scene, the girl/girl scene, the orgy scene, and then the kiss-off. This led to other "classics", "Behind the Green Door", "Devil in Miss Jones" and others, mostly shot in New York.

These New York productions, according to the author, were "both slicker and edgier, more professional, as were its actors." One big male porn star at the time, Eric Edwards, had also starred in a Close-Up toothpaste commercial before being spotted in a porn flick. His big claim to fame, was that of Dr. Young, the crazed medical hygienist in "Deep Throat".

Most of these flicks take themselves seriously, something gay porn really doesn't do. There have been rip offs of straight shows in gay porn for decades. Recently one was released as a take off of "American Idol". It didn't even pretend to hide anything. The names used in the video were very close to actual names and the concept followed the script of the show.

I grew up with gay porn in the mid-80's. These were the first flicks that showed a condom being used. You really never saw anyone put one on. It just show up for the fuck scenes. These were the days of the blonde twink, who didn't even want to be kissed. They were pretty pathetic. The likes of Rex Chandler, gay for pay, were the stars of that error. But there were the classics as well out there, but pre-condom like "The Bases are Loaded". These were fun flicks and had the classic gang bang locker room scene which were really incredible.

Today, thank goodness for the success of the Fallen Angels series, gay porn with real hairy muscle men, has found its niche. Will Clark has shown the gay porn industry that you can be a real daddy, in your late 40's and still be sizzling hot in front of the camera. WOOF.

If you have a favorite porn star or flick let me know. Also what was your first gay porn flick that you watched? With the internet, gay porn is more readily available than ever. It has a place in our sex life when we need something quick and non commital for stimulation. But hell, it is never a long term substitute for the real thing.

5 comments:

cola boy said...

My first was called Big Guns. I know there was a sequel called Hot Rods but it didn't seem as good...or maybe because BG was the first porn I ever saw. Needless to say, the guy I watched it with, when it was done, picked me up and carried me into his bedroom. We were both primed for fun after that.

Anonymous said...

I don't remember what my first porno flick was, but it was on the same (dubbed) tape as a cartoon woman REALLY enjoying a fruit salad.

I'm a big fan of the old Colt flicks. They just seemed to include men who actually were enjoying themselves and each other. Plus the guys were more my type than the hairless-twinks of the 80s. Also, even though they didn't use condoms (this was pre-AIDS, of course) it was because that's the way it was, not a fetishist obsession with "barebacking" the way recent films are.

The Best of Colt DVDs are the ones I always reach for when I want some, ahem, inspiration.

Jason Appleby said...

I can't remember what the title (or plot or cast or specifics) of the first year or so I had of watching gay porn. Probably as a result of only seeing it at trade's house or at saunas. This is no doubt a caveat of becoming gay in a house full of strange straight men and only having the communal television.

That said, Jeff Stryker has definitely left his indelible mark on what a gay porn star should be (IMHO). His unbelievable faith (sadly misplaced) in his own plenipotentiary talent (I remember one where he played a rock star and actually sang) is definitely memorable. That and his grasp of dialogue. Funny that he's not actually the man-type I'm into at all, but there you have it.

Anonymous said...

It is interesting how international porn flicks are. I remember most of those metioned. I don't know the title of my first, but it was a copy of copy of a copy and so, was black and white. 3 or 4 guys in a lane over a rubbish bin. It was quite good and I have come across bits of it on the internet. Don't think I have watched one since the internet.

Cement Brunette said...

I have to say that I am seriously into Michael Lukas these days. That man is fucking beautiful and sexy. I don't like everything his company puts out but I will tell you that Manhatten Heat got me off again and again and again...