Pornpourri

 Zak Spears  (90's)

 Zac attack (90's)

 Adonis - Eric Ryan (70's)

 Thing of Beauty: Michael Henson (80's)

 Beautiful Brawlers: the late Brad Armstrong (l) and the Hunky Tom Zenk (90's)

 Al Parker fucking Casey Donovan in "The Other Side of Aspen (early 80's)

 This picture was used for a gay phone sex line back in the mid 80's - one of my personal faves.

 Wrestler Paul Roma (l) getting intimate with wrestler Alex Wright (90's)

 From the classic gay porn film, "Kept After Class". (70's)

 J.W. King having his nipple worked on by a friend (early 80's).

 J.W. King (then known as Jim Waldrop in Playgirl magazine (late 70's)

 Bad Boy Dick Fisk (70's)

Michael Henson, again. (mid 80's).

Gorgeous crop of shaggy headed boys from the film, "Kept After Class".(70's)

Boys In the Sand (1974)

Wakefield Poole was something of a showbiz insider back in 1971, when he decided to make a gay sex film that was not dark or degrading. Prior to this, Poole was an accomplished, dance instructor, Broadway hoofer and photographer. It was not until an evening in 1969 when Poole, and his partner, Peter Fisk, and some friends, went to a grind-house somewhere in Manhattan to catch a couple of gay skin flicks. Apparently, the movies were so bad, that several of the men fell asleep at the viewing.

It was after this adventure that Poole scraped some funding together (mostly by way of credit cards) and assembled a cast that included a young actor by the name of Cal Culver (who would go on to be known as the legendary, Casey Donovan) and over the course of several weekends in Fire Island, shot his film, Boys in the Sand. Once filming was complete, Poole sold ads for his movie to both Variety and The New York Times, and then held the movie’s world premiere at the 55th Street Playhouse in Manhattan. Allegedly, opening night was a sellout with Gotham’s elite showing up to see what all the fuss was about. Reviews, mostly positive, showed up in the New York Times (apparently the only gay porn film ever reviewed in the Gray Lady) Variety, and many other mainstream publications. History was made! Were it not for the release of Deep Throat, a year later, which overshadowed Boys in the Sand due to its leading lady, Linda Lovelace, Boys in the Sand might have secured a more prominent place in the history of erotic cinema. Nonetheless, the film made its mark, and pretty much set the standard for most gay porn films to come – as well as turning its leading man, Casey Donovan into a minor celebrity in some circles.

Boys in the Sand is basically, three short sex films, which are very heavy on atmosphere, though, surprisingly, light on actual sex ; though this is not to say that the film isn’t erotic, it’s just not what one might be expecting.

Part 1, entitled, Bayside, starts with the bearded, Peter Fisk (Poole’s real-life lover) strolling the bramble choked shoreline of Fire Island’s bay until he finds a spot, disrobes and sits on the beach staring forlornly into the water. With a soothing classical music soundtrack playing, one quickly becomes involved in the stunning photography and the calming scenes. It sort of comes as a shock, when in the distance; a gorgeous man rises from the water and makes his way to Fisk on the beach. The fact this is shot in slow motion only adds to the hypnotic mood the film is casting. Casey Donovan is the blond who emerged like Venus from the waters and he is exquisite, a sort of X rated Robert Redford. Once Donovan is on the shore line, He stands in front of Fisk and immediately, Fisk begins to run his hands over the blonde’s chest, as if he were trying to prove to himself that this apparition before him is actual flesh and blood and not just a hallucination. Once it becomes apparent that Donovan is real, Fisk sets to working on the other man’s dick and gently takes it into his mouth while on his knees as if he were receiving communion. Soon, Donovan pulls away and beckons his partner to join him in the woods. Here the men continue gently caressing each other and eventually engage in some mutual oral sex. It is all handled very tenderly and with great artistic flair, and when the men have reached their mutual orgasms, Fisk pulls back and leaves Donovan alone. Now the camera tracks the man we watched earlier coming to the beach, as he walks into the water until he vanishes from sight. When Donovan emerges from the brush he can not find Fisk, only the man’s discarded clothes which he scoops up and wears as he himself wanders away into the sunset. So it seems that the fantasy figure has now become reality, or something like that.

Part 2, entitled Poolside is probably the most beguiling piece. The first ten or fifteen minutes of this concern Casey Donovan playing with his dog, reading the paper, swimming in a pool, and waiting on a parcel from the post office. It seems that something in the local gay rag has caught our hero’s eye and he dashes off a letter and mails it waiting for whatever it is he ordered to be delivered to him. To show us the passage of time, we watch as a calendar’s pages are burnt and then sent flying off into the wind. Eventually, through a double exposure effect, we watch Donovan swimming in a pool that seems to be filled with half burnt calendar pages. Finally, the package arrives and Donavon finds a small box with a large white tablet in it (which frankly looks like an over-sized Alka Seltzer tab). He tosses the tab into the pool and before you can say, “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is”, the water begins churning and, ta-da! A hunky man rises from the pool. I guess he ordered some “instant stud”. Danny DiCoccio is the hunky water sprite this time, and he wastes no time at all getting out of the water and getting it on with Donovan. Now, just when we are hoping that we are going to see something really nasty, well for some reason the sex scene is shot through some trees and while it might be artsy looking, it kind of makes it hard to figure out exactly what is going on. It is clear at one point that DiCoccio is banging Donovan’s butt, but forget trying to see it clearly because you can’t see the fucking for the trees. The sex out of the way, Donovan and his just-add-water-mate go back into the house, get dressed and take a leisurely stroll around Fire Island.

Part 3: is entitled, Inside: We once more find Casey Donovan alone in his big beach house. This time, he’s busy watching an African American lineman (Tommy Moore) working on the telephone wires outside. Soon, our hero is struck with a sizzling case of jungle fever and he imagines having sex with the handsome blue collar worker. Once more, the sex scenes are kind of frustrating as they keep jumping back and forth to Donovan’s imaginings and his reality. Realizing that he needs a bit more help in getting off, Donovan gets to work with a massive dildo while dreaming of being pile-driven by the Bell Telephone man. Actually one of the hotter moments in this sequence is with Donovan imagining he and the worker are standing on the top of the steps while they both savagely work on each other’s nipples. After a half a dozen more choppily edit fantasy moments, Donavan has his orgasm and falls back on a sofa, a satisfied smile on his angelic face … but, outside we discover that the lineman has found his way into the house and is about to make Casey’s dreams come true … and that’s where the movie abruptly comes to an end. The theme here seems to be the power of fantasy – which is a timeless one – as well as an almost mythological belief in water and its power to bring forth life. Pretty heady stuff for a fuck flick, no? But that’s just it. Boys in the Sand is more of an art film as opposed to a dirty movie. I do believe that the first two sections could be aired with, some very minor editing, on PBS or at an art house. Clearly, Wakefield Poole set out to produce something more than a movie to be watched with a raincoat over your lap. He has indicated in interviews that he wanted to make something light and life affirming. In that aspect, he definitely succeeded. Furthermore, Poole seemed to want to bring something of a plot line to the skin flick in general. He also succeeds in that area also. As light weight and fantastic as the plot lines are, they are there and string the narrative along. It’s interesting to note, that upon watching Boys in the Sand, the viewer might be put in mind of dozens of other porn films – but see, that’s just it, Poole set the standard that others have exploited over and over again. I am highly recommending Boys in the Sand; not as something to get your rocks off to, but as something to watch and ponder. Takes some time to appreciate that 37 years ago, the cast and crew of this little epic put a lot on the line to get their product out there – add to that the major cojones of Poole and company to not only advertise Boys in the Sand in the New York Times, but to hold it’s first major screening in downtown Manhattan where it was going to be seen by a predominantly straight audience. And then keep in mind that this movie was celebrated by the mainstream press…all of this in 1971!

*****

Casey Donovan seemed to have benefit most from his exposure in this movie. Besides firmly establishing himself as one of the first “name” gay porn stars of all time, he also managed to parlay his fame into some legitimate work in both stage and film – though ultimately, his porn past and somewhat limited acting ability, kept him in the adult and hustling business until he passed away in 1987 from AIDS. Wakefield Poole managed to run with the success of Boys and made several more porn films, including a straight sex film entitled, Wakefield Poole’s Bible! which was supposed to be an erotic retelling of several old testament tales. Eventually Poole got around to a sequel and in 1984 he directed Boys in the Sand II, which again starred Casey Donovan.

Poole, who had made a lot of money in both pornography and legitimate show business developed a major drug habit in the late 70’s and ended up broke for a time. Happily, he decided to turn his life around, and in his 50’s he entered a cooking school and became a chef. In 2000 he released, Dirty Poole, The Autobiography of a Gay Porn Pioneer, in which apparently he drops many famous names as he talks about his showbiz past.

Noirotica

 Casey Donovan

 Peter Berlin

 Classic Gang bang

 Jack Wrangler and The Christy Twins....From "Night at the Adonis"

 Classic Three-some

 Classic Cock Sucker

Classic Rough Stuff

Casey

1971's Casey, is a sunny, silly, sexy romp of a porn film that pretty much made Cal Culver one of the first superstars of adult entertainment. Prior to appearing in this movie, Culver had been a model as well as a stage actor who worked with the likes of Ingrid Bergman. He had also appeared in the sex comedy/ thriller film, Ginger. Realizing that there was fast money to be made, Culver hitched his wagon to director Donald Crane's porn film, and a star was born.

Culver's character in the film is named Casey Donovan, and that would become his nom de porn.

Casey begins with the titular hero jerking off in bed. Actually he seems to be multi-tasking as he is watching television, reading the paper, and checking his watch while his right hand is busy wanking. Once he's had his morning orgasm, Casey heads for the bathroom where he pops a handful of vitamins, washes them down with a shot of Southern Comfort and fires up a joint; all the while singing a bastardized version of “Rose's Turn” from the musical Gypsy. If all of this sounds rather foolish, well, that's the point … and it sets the tone for most of the film.

If things aren't wacky enough, once Casey finishes his joint he is visited by his fairy godmother (Wanda Uptight – also played by Culver) who dispenses bitchy bits of wisdom as well as granting wishes.

So what is it that our golden boy desires most? “Someone to really like me”, is what he says to his fairy godmother.

That sounds honest enough, in fact it's kind of endearing. And frankly, Culver plays his horny hero with such charm that it seems to fit.

After his wish is granted, Casey is paid a visit by a jack booted thug (the unfortunately named, Sparrow Guano) who is shot only from the waist down. The mystery guest immediately makes himself comfortable in Casey's living room, undoes his pants and is treated to a quick blow job by his host. The sucking is fast and furious and once this is done, Casey turns to the camera, his face slathered in jizz, smiles devilishly and says rather sheepishly, “Protein”. If this were a sit-com, the laugh track would be cued up and ready to go.

Next we find Casey in his kitchen looking out the window with a pair of binoculars where he spies the new delivery man for the local market. Realizing that he is lucky as well as oversexed, he calls the market, makes an order and waits for delivery.

Once the delivery man arrives (a rough trade, long haired hunk played by Angelo Ware) Casey almost looks like one of those cartoon wolves with their eyes popping out of their heads when they spot a sexy girl. Immediately, he begins babbling and when the delivery guy asks, “Where do you want it?” (meaning the groceries), Casey replies, “In the kitchen … on the steps … in the Pentagon...” and after a bit of tomfoolery, the boys go at it on the floor amidst a sea of potatoes which have fallen out of a bag.

When Donovan and Ware start rocking, it's very exciting. The men seem genuinely attracted to each other and though they are acting urgently, they still kiss and manage to make the viewer believe that this is the real thing. At one point, as they are engaged in an athletic 69 session, you hear Ware proclaim briefly and loudly , “Oh man, that feels so good!” It looks good too! The sex scene goes on for at least ten minutes as the guys explore each other's bodies and suck at each other's cocks like a couple of love sick puppies until finally, they face each other, locked in a kiss while they jerk off to orgasm.

Once through, Casey is left to clean up the kitchen floor and suddenly the thug returns and throws our hero over a kitchen counter and starts to fuck him. Casey can't seem to believe his carnal luck and starts asking him a lot of questions, when he finally asks “If I was unfuckable, would you still like me?” the mystery man stops, pulls out and says, “You talk to much” and walks away leaving Casey dejected and confused.

After the days adventures, Casey's fairy godmother returns and he says to her, “No one digs anyone”, Ah hah, it seems that our hero is seeking something more than a roll in the hay … and when his godmother says to him, “Mentally you are still 12 years old”, this makes Casey rethink his wish, and he now says that he wants to find something deeper in a relationship, “I want to look in someones face and have them like what they see”.

Once more, his wish is granted … however the fairy godmother adds, “Everyone will want you, everyone will know you, everyone will like you”.

Silliness ensues as Casey runs outside scampering through a suburban neighborhood while car's drive by and people shout “Outtasite, man!” (for those of you unfamiliar with swinging 70's vernacular, outtasite was akin to referring to someone or something as “hot”).

As Casey continues his jaunt he spies a downright gorgeous young man with jet-black hair sketching in a pad. The hippie / artist (Nat Grey) wastes no time after catching Casey's eye and begins following the charmed one.

Soon the guys are chasing each other through the woods until finally they stop for a kiss and to get to know each other. And this is where Casey really shows its age; when asked his name, the hippie jots something down on his sketch pad that reads, “I'm Stephen, and I've taken a vow of silence until the war is over”. Casey replies by writing that he manufactures protest buttons, “Make love, not war!”

And make love, they do... a slow, sensual erotic dance happens next, alfresco, as the boys get inmate with each other. Of note is how absolutely beautiful Culver and Grey are, they seem to resemble two angels with demonic sexual appetites. Watch as they embrace and then suck each other off … and while the camera does go for close ups of their impressive cocks, it also shows us their faces which seem to be alive with honest emotions. When Grey has his orgasm, his gorgeous smile is almost enough to melt the most jaded viewer's heart, he's that perfect.

Of course, this movie being what it is, has to throw in another gag: done lovemaking, the boys run in slow motion to each other while Casey says in voice over, “We looked like a goddamn deodorant ad”

Happy at last, Casey and Stephen move in together and time passes … eventually though, Casey seems to be getting a bit bored with the adoration his lover bestows upon him, and one day he proposes that they add some one else to the mix. Ever eager to please, Stephen agrees and soon the delivery man is back...

Next up we discover the rough-trade deliver guy splayed out on Casey's living room floor watching a baseball game while Casey and Stephen spend time caressing his body and making goo-goo eyes at each other. Finally, the delivery guy seems turned on and a hot three way occurs with the men engaged in a daisy chain suck fest which eventually morphs into Casey getting his ass fucked by both his lover and the guest. Make no doubt about it, Culver was one of the best “bottoms” out there, and when he is getting fucked his face reveals that of a man at his most satisfied state of being.

Once the guys finish up and everyone shoots their sticky loads, the jack booted guys shows up again. However this time we see all of him. It is revealed that he is a black man with an Afro the size of Texas that crowns his head. Considering his look, I was half expecting him to spout off something about the Black Panthers; but instead he turns out to be the voice of reason explaining to Casey that he still does not really know what love is all about, and that he must trust himself, and love himself first.

With that, the man instructs our hero down to the floor, close his eyes and tells him to gently ask for what he really wants. Expecting to be ravaged by the three other men in the room, Casey says, “Fuck me, suck me, touch me” … but what's this? As Casey pleads, the men gather up their belongings and exit, leaving Casey to whimper, “Touch me, touch me” , over and over until he finally realizes that once more, he is alone.

Solo once again, Casey's fairy godmother reappears and tells him that he's blown it, and he's back to zero again; and suddenly, this happy little skin flick gets all morose with our hero lying on his bed and flipping through Stephen's drawing pad. Just before the end credits begin, Casey looks into the camera and says, “From zero to infinity and back to zero”.

It is odd that this film ends the way it does, and yet, it sort of makes sense. Like most films made in the 70's (porn or mainstream) Casey seems to suffer from a sort of mixed message. On the one hand it's a celebration of sexual liberation, while on the other it reinforces the old adage that without true love, we are nothing at all. Be that as it may, I highly recommend seeking this one out, and not just for the great sex scenes, but to witness how a little story telling and sense of humor can turn a skin flick into something with a bit more substance.

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!