The Other Side of Aspen

1983 saw the release of a lot of great films.

Francis Ford Coppola brought us Rumblefish, John Badham gave the world, War Games, and Adrian Lyne introduced us to Jennifer Beals and her torn sweatshirts in the classic, Flashdance.

Meanwhile, in the cinematic world of gay porn, Falcon Studios released its opus, The Other Side of Aspen.

Viewed today, Aspen is much more than a fuck-fest; it’s a goddamn period piece! Honestly, this film should be placed in a time capsule or screened periodically at The Smithsonian— it’s that significant. If anyone wants to know what it was like to be gay, and unfettered in the pre-AIDS era, Aspen is a must see.

Oh, and it works just as well as something to get your rocks off to.

The plot, such as it is, concerns a young man relaying a hot weekend he had with some guys at a ski chalet (in Aspen Colorado, one suspects, though the outdoor scenes were actually shot in Lake Tahoe).

The lodge in question is one of the real stars of this film. With its hickory paneled walls and seizure inducing multicolored patchwork curtains and matching upholstery, you might find yourself somewhat hypnotized by the Brady Bunch interior as much as the sexual escapades going on in front of the décor.

However, if you came for the sex, you will not be disappointed.

First and foremost, there is the cast; the men in Aspen are not the plucked, steroid-pumped-waxed-cherubs that fill the market these days, no sir, these are guys with full heads of hair, furry chests and unshaved crotches. They look authentic, though admittedly dated, and, more importantly, they look like they are enjoying the fact that they are having sex with each other.

Al Parker, he of the full beard and blow-dried coif, is probably the most sexually diverse of the cast. Al fucks, gets fucked, fists, fingers, sucks, gets sucked … in fact he does everything but a triple summersault off the staircase. There is no denying it; Parker was one sexually charged being.

That said, Parker’s finest moment comes early on in the festivities when he shares a bed with veteran porn star, Casey Donovan (AKA Cal Culver), and proceeds to rock his world. Watching these two go at it, might cause the viewer to assume that Parker and Donovan were actually great thespians … but wait a second, it’s not an act. According to the director, Colin Myer, Parker and Donovan were only supposed to be doing a photo shoot when they just kind of got into the spirit of things and went at each other like a couple of mad dogs.

You’ll marvel over the paces Parker puts his buddy through, but watch for the close-ups of Donovan’s face, he seems positively blissed out as Parker fucks him like a jackhammer … and then, later on, when the guys engage in a mutual suck-off you won’t believe your eyes, this is probably the most authentic sixty-nine scene ever committed to film.

The infamous fisting sequence occurs during the Parker / Donovan coupling, unfortunately, my copy of the DVD has most of that edited out (what is that all about anyway?), however you do see some of that action, and it does not disappoint.

Prior to the fireworks set off by Parker and Donovan, we see Dick Fisk, a demure stud with a Keith Partridge hair cut and full mustaches, as well as a smoking hot body, plow Chad Benson.

For what Fisk lacked in the way of on screen charisma, he more than makes up for it with his jack-rabbit style of humping (and speaking of animals, Fisk was hung like the proverbial horse).

Fisk sucks and fucks like a champ, and his chest was downright delectable with its light coating of fur. Another thing about Fisk that was aces was his smile. Does it sound trite to comment on a porn star’s grin? Too bad; Dick Fisk positively beamed whenever he revealed his pearly whites … in fact he looked adorable!

As for Fisk’s partner, Chad Benson; well, he’s there, but clearly he is not much more than a mere mortal surrounded by a trio of pornographic gods. That’s not to say that he was not good at what he did, but he lacked the sexual allure of Fisk, Parker and Donovan.

Later on, when the four guys convene to the living room of the chalet, Donovan securely cements his place in erotic cinema as “The Ultimate Bottom”. Casey is plowed by every one of the guys and just keeps going back for more.

At one point, the camera shoots the action from overhead, much like a Busby Berkley musical, while the men all take turns at Donovan’s ass and mouth. It’s a dizzying bit to behold and the fact that the principals are groping at and kissing each other indiscriminately adds to the authenticity of it all, not to mention the cinematic lunacy of it all; the only thing that’s missing is Ruby Keller belting out a number on the soundtrack.

In the midst of this mini orgy, it is revealed that a stranger has been lurking outside the chalet watching the goings-on from a window, and faster than you could say, “Mind if I enlist in this party?” the fifth guy joins the fun. It’s the narrator of the film, Jeff Turk, who comes on in and peals off his ski suit so that he can have a shot at Casey’s eager butt.

At this point Casey Donovan is offered up to the ski bum who proceeds to have his way with him, and once more the camera films the scenes from over head revealing a mass of sweaty body parts and sexual Olympics below.

Finally, we come back down to earth and focus on Donovan as he lay flat on his back surrounded by his cabin mates, who jerk their cocks off in the direction of his torso. And once again, the viewer is drawn to Casey who has a look of insatiable curiosity on his face as his eyes dart around the phalanx formation of his comrades and their leaking appendages.

When Turk, Parker, Fisk and Benson blow their loads onto Donovan’s trunk, and leave him frosted like a fleshy cupcake, we get one more view of Casey’s visage, and once more it’s the look of someone in a state on unadulterated bliss.

So, if, you want to take a wild ride down a slippery slope of sexual abandon, when condoms were unheard of and gay sex was a celebration, hitch a ride to The Other Side of Aspen … Break out the poppers and enjoy!