The Last American Virgin...Diane Walker & Lawrence Monoson wow audience! Teen flick a risque stand-out...

Too bad Boaz Davidson was unable to attend the recent screening of  " Last American Virgin" at the New Beverly Cinema.

It would have warmed his heart to have witnessed first-hand  the ecstatic response the film ("now" a classic) rustled up from the packed house (even at the witching hour at the stroke of midnight).

Appearances by pretty Karen Walker and Lawrence Monoson really thrilled the fans, too.

Ms Walker - I won't speculate on her age (though I'm sure I am older than the charming lady) - looked stunning in a red body-fitting cocktail dress and tasteful understated accessories.

Outgoing down-to-earth lead actor - Lawrence Monoson - was well-received also.

In fact, Julia (host for the evening who fielded questions before the film started up) was positively tongue-tied by the presence of an actor she obviously adored.

HD Video Clip / New Beverly Cinema

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ__lOvy31s

In the Q & A the fit likeable star recalled a funny incident with Golan and Globus (Cannon films) during the casting process.

When the purveyors of what some might call "soft porn" - with a commercial bent, mind you - informed the actor he landed the part there was one small detail to resolve.

The producers were required to check his license to ensure he was within the legal age to work on this project which featured a lot of gratuitous sex, naughty dialogue, and controversial subjects such as teen abortion.

"I left it at home," he responded somewhat awkwardly.

A little white lie?

OMG!  He was underage.

After promising to return with the all-important legal documents for his entree into the glamorous world of Hollywood, he dashed home beside himself with grief.

When he explained his woe to his mother she was already one step ahead.

Darling, come by the office, and we'll work this out.

Lawrence claimed that when he arrived at the workplace, a couple of his mother's friends were stooped over a table with razor blades, a photo, and a product used to laminate documents.

Uh-huh!

They whipped up a fake ID, allegedly.

When he returned to the Cannon production office the producers took a glance at the handiwork of his mother's friends and laughed among themselves.

Yeah, he couldn't hoodwink those wise old suits.

Needless to say, they looked the other way, and he got the part.

Once the teen comedy sprang to life on the screen I was totally drawn in.

Frankly, I was a bit taken aback by some of the material, in view of the era in which it was shot.

A particulrlyr hilarious scene featured a group of boys in the locker room lined up to have their c**ks measured to see who was the biggest.

Wouldn't 'ya know it, the nerdy kid with the horn-rimmed glasses, measured in at 9 inches.

Actually, the teen contested that, and demanded a second shot at the ruler.

"It's nine-and-a-half. Don't cheat me," he angrily grumbled in so many words.

How they got by the censors with those "hard-on's" parading by in skimpy white skivvies up-close on the wide screen, I'll never know. 

Quite risque (and an erotic turn-on for even the most stalwart prude)

In another scene, one boy ends up climbing into bed with the mother of a girl he is about to make out with, which just about brings the house down.

But, the scenes where the boys unhappily discover they've caught "crabs" (and seek out treatment) are downright side-splitting fun.

One of the actors, Steve Antin, really impressed me with his on-screen persona.

He was so photogenic and radiated this remarkable natural energy.

Where is he now, I wonder.

Ms. Walker was captivating, too.

At times - with her fresh innocent face and curly auburn locks - she looked for all-the-world like a porcelain doll.

Another actor with just four lines in the film (Paul Keith) noted that the fact he was in "American Virgin" landed  him a part.

For example, at an audition, one casting director was awestruck when he noticed the credit on his resume.

"You were in The Last American Virgin," he asked increduously.

"Can you get me a copy?"

Nicolas Cage was apparently knocked out, too, when the bit player crossed paths with the acting icon and mentioned the film credit to him.

The sound track is pretty phenomenal and rife with all the big hits of that time frame.

At times, I thought I was listenng to Love Songs on the coast.

A bit melodramatic at times, Virgin still stands out as a true bona-fide leader-of-the-pack in respect to coming-of-age films.

For details on the plot and background history, check out my post published earlier this week:

Post:  02/13/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/last-american-virginscreens-new-beverly.html

What a hoot.

Catch the flick if you can next time around at the New Beverly Cinema.

After all, I don't even know that the film is available as a rental.

How about you?

Paul Keith played "Dad"

Lawrence Monoson coasting on Love Songs!

http://www.julianayrs.com

_____________________________________________________

Footnote

*Apologies to Paul Keith.

  Due to a computer glitch wrong photo was posted last week!

Bruce Jenner...appears In Hollywood to support COPD drive! Win Nascar prize...

How apropros!

While the winter olympics are underway in Vancouver, a former heavyweight in the Gold Medal department, offers up his support for a drive for COPD  (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in Hollywood.

The Olympic Gold Medallist will be appearing in person on Tuesday February 16th for photo ops.
(12pm - 3pm)

I met Mr. Jenner years ago on the set of  "Can't Stop the Music" when infamous producer - Alan Carr - was considering me for a role in the film.

Drats! Steve Guttenberg landed the part.

Oh well, the film (directed by Nancy Walker) turned out a big stinker, so I guess I lucked out in that regard!

As to Jenner, what a hunk! 
(took my breath away)

By virtue of his participation at the COPD, Jenner hopes to raise the consciousness about the medical condition.

Tuesday afternoon guests at the event will  have the opportunity to take a five-question screener to see if they are at risk for COPD which include chronic bronchitis and emphysema (or both)

Organizers note that there will be many free giveaways.

While you're there, enter a contest to win an Ultimate Nascar Weekend!

Info:  DRIVE4COPD.COM

http://www.julianayrs.com

The Last American Virgin...screens @ New Beverly Cinema! Boaz Davidson & Paul Keith @ Q & A...

Midnight Screening!

Saturday night - date night and on the eve before romantic Valentine's Day - Amoeba Music and Phil Blankenship present a screening of "The Last American Virgin"

The classic comedy (written and directed by Boaz Davidson) will hit the funny bone at midnight.

If the witching hour doesn't cause you to howl, the movie - starring Lawrence Monoson, Diane Franklin, Steve Antin, Joe Rubbo, Louisa Moritz, Brian Peck, and Kimmy Robertson - surely will

At press time - actors Lawrence Monoson, Diane Franklin and Paul  Keith - were scheduled to appear live! and in person! for an interactive Q &A with the audience.

In a nutshell, the storyline revolves around a posse of cliche characters.

But, the lens is keenly focused on a regular teen (Gary) who attends high school - and his two best pals - Rick (a wolf with an eye for the ladies) and David (the stereotypical fat guy friend who gets laughs for all his sight gags).

Typical of most pimply-faced teens, the three lads are always keen on getting laid.

In one scene, the horny dudes try to steal glances at naked nubile pretties in a dressing-room next door by way of a secret peep hole.

In another, a bodacious babe is tricked into having sex in exchange for a hit of cocaine (which turns out to be sweet & low or some such thing).

Very sweet and very low!

The Last American Virgin is a remake of an Israeli film.
(Eskimo Limon / 1978)

Once a string of sequels played themselves out, Boaz Davidson hooked up with producers Golan-Globus (OMG! Do you remember those flakes to take a shot at a production geared towards the American market.

Eskimo Limon was originally a modest feature about kids growing up in 1950s Israel!

Yup!  Think American Graffiti (George Lucas).

For a more widespread appeal the location was switched to a suburb in Los Angeles.

The scintillating soundtrack was a knock out hit which included olden golden goodies, classic rock, and contemporary New Wave.

Curtain:  11:59 p.m.
Tickets:   $7

See 'ya there!

Star Lawrence Monoson

Paul Keith to attend screening!

www.julianayrs.com

San Francisco...film noir festival a hit! Psycho ticket-holder scarey...

Today, I sauntered into the Castro Theatre to catch a double-bill at the 8th Annual Film Noir fest.

Festival Dates

January 22nd - January 31st

In a press release, the creator of the scintillating festival (which has gained in enormous popularity over the past couple of years) underscored the uniqueness of the annual event.

"It is the only festival of classic cinema in the world in which all the proceeds go towards the preservation of film."

"Our goal," stressed Eddie Muller, "is to not only save films but to maintain, for as long as we can, the communal experience of going to the movies as it was when these films were first screened."

By the way, Muller is known to the locals as the "Czar of Noir".

Also, the Noir offers up a double-bill, for an economical ten bucks.

"Fly-by-night" was a fun off-beat feature (Paramount) directed by legendary Robert Siodmark.

Essentially, it is a romantic comedy, with suspenseful undertones.

Not on DVD yet, folks!

Deported (also directed by Siodmark) is a slightly-disguised film bio of gangster Lucky Luciano.

A drama that entertains and captivates the audience.

Not on DVD yet, folks!

For the most part, the afternoon was a relaxing respite from it all, until some psycho slipped into the empty seat next to me.

On a couple of occasions when filmgoers seated in the chairs nearby laughed out loud at the sparkling witty dialogue - and sight gags - she'd turn and scold the captivated film buffs.

"That's not funny," she'd bark out in a nasty tone of voice.

At this juncture, I felt sorry for the poor thing; after all,she was  obviously not a very intelligent individual.

It was crystal clear to moi, as well, that all the high brow art whizzed right over her head.

She must be brain dead, eh?

Frankly, I thought she would have been better off taking a hike down to the hospital, to have a chat with a psychiatrist.

Indeed!

I half-expected her to snatch out a hatchet from her purse and start carving up the lot of us in her midst.

No kidding!

4 stars to the Castro Theatre, though!

It is not always possible to keep every wacko out, after all.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Lucille Ball...hard-knocks, B-movies, and lettuce days!

Lucy's glam days

When I was a kid, I recall catching "Dubarry was a Lady" on the idiot box on late-night TV.

The wide-screen experience eluded me over the years, 'til now.

As part of its tribute to legendary filmmaker - Arthur Freed - the 3rd Annual Backlot Festival screened the Lucille Ball classic and I was there to savor every minute of the experience.

Lucy stars with Red Skelton and Gene Kelley in this screwball comedy - one of a handful of "B" movies the screwy red-head was featured in - just before her career took off after the successful launch of "I love Lucy" in the early fifties.

Actually, it's a hoot to watch Ms. Ball (pre "Lucy" days) saunter across the screen in a swirl of elegant gowns and outrageous designer hats and tangle with the likes of comic genius, Mister Red Skeleton.

The legendary star holds her own, admirably.

One of my favorite lines in the film?
On the subject of romance, Ms. Ball quips.

"I'm too poor to get married for love."

In this hilarious piece of studio pap, Mr. Skelton charms. Here, his timing is impeccable; especially when it comes to quick repartee, pratfalls, and off-kilter shtick, right up the alley of the former vaudevillian.

Gene Kelley is a revelation, too.

In a handful of breezy dance numbers, he executes each step with such grace and style.

In fact, it's difficult to fathom any other dancer of this or any other era, managing the painstakingly intricate step sequences (save for Fred Astaire, of course).

Although Lucy became one of the most powerful women in Hollywood - by virtue of her holdings in Desilu Productions with husband Arnaz - life was not always a snap for the performer.

Lucille Ball was born August 6, 1911 in Jamestown (New York).

Fresh out of the gate, Ball took a job as a model, using the stage name, Diane Belmont.

Moderately successful, Ball became an Earl Carrol showgirl and landed modeling gigs for popular fashion designer, Hattie Carnegie.

But the career climb was not always rosy.

In her "lettuce days" in New York - when she was a struggling dancer - Lucy nearly died of malnutrition, according to one biographer.

Jobs were hard to come by, after all.

As luck would have it, one day Ms. Ball was striding down a busy New York street, when she bumped into a casting woman who took pity on her.

The woman offered Lucy a job as a "cigarette girl" (popular gigs in those days).
There was one hitch, though.

The young starlet would have to pack up and head to Tinsel town.

With a bit of consternation, she headed west, reluctantly.

When she arrived in Hollywood, it didn't escape Lucy's attention that many of the female stars were extremely focused on their "Glamour Queen" images, which worked to her advantage.

Whenever a film required a comedy sketch, or a shenanigan or two that were a bit wacky, the prissy grand dames turned their noses up at the job and flatly refused to sign on.

After all, they didn't want to sully their classy siren images.

But the young upstart jumped at the chance to work.

So, plum roles fell into Lucy's lap in the comedic vein, because she'd willingly take a pie in the face, or throw her heart into in some silly on-camera fluff, to please a director.

Within a short while, Lucy was signed to a contract at one of the studios.

Shortly thereafter, Ms. Ball was turning out a batch of "B" movies, fans hungered for in those early days.

Lucille Ball's first role was a cameo in Eddie Cantor's musical, "Roman Scandals".



Ball later landed bit parts the following year in low budget features such as "Blood Money" and "Kid Millions".



By the late 1940's, the aggressive young starlet appeared in no-less than sixty films (!), and included star turns with Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers and Bob Hope.

On one fateful project ("Too Many Girls") Ball fell in love with her co-star, the dashing Desi Arnaz.

The newlyweds often found themselves on opposite sides of the country because of work assignments, which put a lot of stress on their relationship.

Although Lucy filed for divorce in 1944, the two managed to sort things out before the split was finalized by the court.

However, the experience turned out to be great fodder for their creative well.

Taking a cue from their tumultuous relationship, Ball and Arnaz pitched an idea to CBS about the unlikely marriage of a wild red head to a Cuban band leader.

Network execs surmised the American public would never buy the scenario - so Lucy and Desi formed their own production company called "Desilu" - and took the show on the road.

Within a short span of time, the dynamic duo managed to turn the idea into a popular vaudeville act. Then, on the heels of this success (still without a nod from CBS) Ball and Arnaz proceeded to finance a pilot episode of the show - which they summarily titled - "I Love Lucy".

The sitcom premiered in October of 1951 and became the most popular television show in America, running successfully on Television for six straight years.

During the course of the run, "I Love Lucy" won more than 200 awards, which included five coveted Emmys.

In retrospect, it's important to note that at one juncture in her early bid for stardom, the legendary star was advised to die her hair blond or brunette.

"You'll never make it in the business with red hair," agents and managers whined.

Ironic, that.

Ms. Ball became the most famous redhead in show-business history.

The moral of the story?

To thine own self be true!

http://www.julianayrs.com