Flesh and Laces

Ill-timed at the end of the porn-on-film era, FLESH & LACES still earns a footnote in the annals of Adult cinema by virtue of being a 3-hour, two-part movie project, one of the first of that length ever attempted in the industry. Prolific pornographer Carlos Tobalina was perhaps fulfilling the Peter Principle here, trying to graduate to the big time after so many cut-rate projects.

Story is a familiar inheritance saga, set in a hospital where patriarch Jamie Gillis is dying with Tobalina himself appropriately playing his doctor. (P.A. system in the institution is used to supply a stream of verbal gags).

Tamara Longley is his lawyer, informing his offspring about the terms of his will now, before he dies. Cornball gimmick is the geezer having ungrateful kin forced to jump through hoops in order to qualify for his moolah -good enough for many a B movie, so why not for porn?

In this case the kid who can entertain dad with their sexual exploits will get his cash. First up is John Stagliano, years before he became a noted and influential gonzo director as Buttman, but showing his posterior predilection already. He advertises for a secretary, and Gillis gets to watch what happens (the inheritance scheme) on CCTV. Johnny Stag's sex partner here is almost a plumper.

Next up for the voyeur routine is Dan T. Mann who interviews a model played by the great Shauna Grant. Sort of like "Dancing With the Stars" we think maybe he'll win due to the allure of his partner. He humps her violently on his couch, accompanied by a sax solo in the vein of Gato Barbieri.

Blonde daughter Rose Lynn entertains V.I.P.s including a senator played by Bill Margold, and we're treated to a simulated d.p.

Son Joey Silvera pays Sparky Vasc and Crystal Lake $500 apiece for a threesome, upping the ante in the competition. After he pays them, they reveal themselves as lady cops and bust him. Joey pulls again and forces the cops to strip and have lesbian sex.

There's bondage with Sparky in handcuffs and when cops (Don Fernando and Jack Mason) arrive Joey forces the men and women out of blue to have a foursome, all for the entertainment of Gillis, who is constantly changing channels to watch these ongoing sex scenes. A lame gimmick has Joey subsequently blackmailing the police folk with the tapes he's just made.

Back in his bed Jamie has his lawyer Tamara give him a blow job and then humps her to end Part I.

I'm reviewing the less than scintillating Part II under its own listing. It was hardly worth waiting for, and I'm quite glad I didn't run out to see these films in first-run 32 years ago.

Flesh and Laces, helmed by prolific adult filmmaker Carlos Tobalina, is an ambitious yet underwhelming endeavor. Clocking in at a staggering three hours, this two-part adult epic from 1983 is a marathon of flesh, featuring a bevy of adult film stars in a plot that, well, unravels as quickly as clothing is shed.

The story, though present, takes a backseat to the carnal festivities. It centers on the lecherous exploits of a family, with the patriarch, played by Jamie Gillis, being of similar age to his on-screen children, which is oddly fitting for the film's chaotic nature.

The real draw here is the cast and the copious amounts of sex. Tobalina assembles a who's who of adult entertainment, including legends like John Holmes, John Stagliano, and Shauna Grant, ensuring that the screen sizzles with chemistry. A particular highlight is a foursome featuring Rosa Lee Kimball, Paul Harmon, Jeff Lyle, and Bill Margold, who deliver a steamy and energetic performance that showcases their enthusiasm and athleticism. The scene is a testament to the raw, uninhibited nature of adult films of this era, as the actors passionately explore each other's bodies with abandon, their moans and groans filling the room.

While the plot may be thin, Tobalina ensures that the film delivers on its promises of eroticism. The camera lingers on every curve and contour, capturing the action in all its explicit glory. The production values are surprisingly decent, with good lighting and set design, ensuring that the viewer's attention remains firmly fixed on the action.

However, the film's length may prove a challenge for even the most dedicated viewers. At three hours, it feels indulgent, and one wonders if a tighter edit could have improved the overall experience. The second half, in particular, meanders, feeling more like a series of loosely connected sex scenes than a cohesive narrative.

That being said, Flesh and Laces is a fun, if fluffy, entry into the adult film genre. It may not be a masterpiece, but it offers a lot of bang for your buck, so to speak. The strong cast and decent production values elevate it above similar offerings, and it certainly delivers on its promise of explicit content.

It may not be a deep or thought-provoking cinematic experience, but it will certainly leave viewers feeling entertained, if a little exhausted, by the time the credits roll.

So, if you're in the mood for a lengthy, star-studded romp through the golden age of adult cinema, Flesh and Laces is worth a watch, if only to appreciate the sheer audacity of Tobalina's ambitious, if slightly unwieldy, vision.