THE ECSTACY GIRLS (1980)

THE ECSTACY GIRLS (1980)

Producer: Harold Lime
Director: Robert McCallum
Screenplay: Bill Barron
Running Time: 90; uncut = 97.

The opening scene of this film contains some of the most fiery menage a trois action ever to burn up the celluloid. Jerry Martin, an out-of-work actor played by Jamie Gillis, is lolling around in his southern California pad with two frisky playmates played by the blond wide-eyed Nancy Suiter, an incredible burner, and her pal, the sultry firecracker Stacy Evans. The girls are trying to entice him to take them along to a party he's going to, and to be even more persuasive, they strip off their T-shirts and shorts to get ready for an afternoon romp in the hay. The sight of the two nymphettes, their hard nubile bodies writhing and squirming sensuously on the red satin bedspread, is truly awe-inspiring.

Jerry is looking for work and hopes to meet his agent at the poolside party. But his first run in is with Nancy (Serena), a tall, elegant blonde with honey colored hair and a decidedly bitchy disposition. Jerry and Nancy trade insults and he goes off to find a more receptive female, ultimately meeting up in one of the bedrooms with a warm and cuddly guest, played by Desiree Costeau.

Jerry and Desiree are engaged in some spirited bedroom acrobatics when Madeline (Georgina Spelvin), their host's sister, happens upon them. She pauses to watch and is soon joined by her brother "J.C."; together they stand in the doorway silently observing the couple on the bed. One can get a feel for the first rate talents of Georgina Spelvin, a truly fine actress with an engaging personality, by watching her face as she witnesses the sex scene unfold before her. Meantime, the passionate Desiree Costeau is on hands and knees on the bed and moaning: ' Fuck me...fuck me...fuck me...' with deep, soulful conviction.

The next day J.C. (Frank Hollowell) invites Jerry to lunch to discuss a proposition he has for him. He has noticed Jerry's easy way with women and he wonders if he might be interested in a lucrative deal. It seems that the well-to-do J.C. has an even more wealthy older brother, Edgar, who is near death's door. According to Edgar's will, J.C. will have to share the estate with his sister Madeleine and four nieces. But Edgar is a straitlaced prude who is kept in ignorance of the fact that his daughters fool around. J.C. reasons that if they can shatter that illusion, Edgar will cut the females out of his will and the entire inheritance will be his. He wants the women followed, captured on film in sexually compromising positions. Jerry is offered $100,000 to do the job.

Jerry agrees to take on the assignment and enlists the aid of his pals, two would-be filmakers: George (John Leslie) and Archie (Paul Thomas). They must get the evidence on all five females. They will start with one of the twins -- Nancy.

The scene shifts to Las Vegas. Jerry has trailed Nancy into a casino, he moves in. Later that night we find them drinking champagne at her place. He reminds her of their first stormy encounter. He's willing to forgive and forget, but it appears that the vindictive Nancy isn't. She has drugged his drink.

When Jerry wakes up he finds he is a naked prisoner kept captive in a cell in Nancy's "playroom". The tall blonde is strikingly clad in black leather: an exotic outfit composed of g-string and bra, thigh-high boots and riding crop. She intends to humiliate the man, insolently turning her back on him, bending over so that her naked bottom up is pressed up against the bars, taunting him by offering her ass; ordering him to kiss it. Eventually, he talks her into letting him out, and immediately turns the tables, overpowering her, bending her struggling body down over a table to strap her into place, intent on visiting retribution on her vulnerable bottom with a leather paddle. What follows is a foray to the outer fringes of sex with some B & D games played with the raw sexual energy in some of the most intense action in the film. In the end, the two of them kiss and make up, while the camera clicks merrily away.

The next girl on the list is Constance (Laurien Dominique), a fresh and wholesome, outdoors type who is pursued through swimming, jogging and archery practice by a flagging George. George finally manages to score after a day of vigorous exercise followed by an after-dinner romp in her apartment, that includes some athletic sex on a circular stairway.

After that, it's Madeline's turn. J.C. has invited her and Jerry to lunch and he conveniently is called away, leaving the two of them alone. Madeline takes Jerry on a tour of the house, and is showing him J.C.'s collection of primitive art when she falls under his spell. Soon he has her on her knees paying tribute to his manhood while the pagan idols look on. What follows is hot lovemaking performed to the primitive beat of tom-toms.

Meanwhile, Archie is assigned to Barbara (Lesllie Bovee) whom he finds sunning herself on a rooftop. He convinces her that he's a photographer and invites her to his studio. She is talked into posing for him wearing sexy lingerie and nylons -- with predictable results, all of which are faithfully recorded on film.

Finally, it is the turn of Diane -- the "good" twin. This time Jerry, who has become increasingly disenchanted with the sordid work, finds himself getting involved with the attractive blonde in the film's most romantic interlude, one complete with a picnic in the park and getting caught in the rain. Again, it is all captured on film.

But Jerry's doubts are growing, and he finds he can't go through with it. He confesses all to Madeline and burns the film in front of her. They confront J.C., but it appears that Jerry had the wrong film, and his friend George has made a deal with J.C. for the right one. J.C. confidently starts the projector, but the film that unrolls is of J.C. himself -- cavorting for the camera...while dressed in drag! It is a film that was brought to Madeline some years ago by a would-be blackmailer, and she is willing to trade J.C. film for film.

In the end, J.C. has gone into the erotic film business and hired Jerry and the boys to make a movie within the movie, all of which ends happily with Jerry and Diane sharing the final kiss.

Comments : This is one of those rare pictures where everything works: a good story, well-written dialogue, a superb cast, top-flight acting, masterful direction, excellent production values -- lighting, camerawork, music -- the works, it all comes together here as Lime and McCallum demonstrate how a first rate erotic movie should be made. The combination makes this one of the best, if not the best, erotic film ever made.

ecstacy