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 Cinemahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ__lOvy31sIn 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: 02/13/10http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/last-american-virginscreens-new-beverly.htmlWhat 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!
_____________________________________________________
Footnote*Apologies to Paul Keith.
Due to a computer glitch wrong photo was posted last week!
At the Vintage Fashion expo, browsers with a keen eye may stumble upon items from a wide range of periods.
