Carter Stevens’ Collegiates
Feature Film Collection
After Hours Cinema
R1 DVD
After
Hours Cinema presents the first in a series of multi-disc releases dedicated to
Carter Stevens, one of the living legends of New York grindhouse filmmaking. Stevens’
raunchy, riotous productions never skimp on hardcore action and have earned the
director a permanent place in the AVN Hall of Fame (2009).
Each
of these new releases have been approved by Carter Stevens himself. Stevens
appeared in over 50 adult films (most under the name Steve Mitchell) between
1973 and 1993, and directed about 40 films between 1972 and 1996. He was
unusual in that he did not just create the traditional porn “loops” but tried
to bring some energy and creativity into the genre. His first films appeared
just after the mass market success of Deep Throat (1972) and brought together hardcore action with
interesting characters, some degree of
plot and even a good sense of humour. In Sarah’s Eyes (1975) for example was
based on the fiction of H.P Lovecraft and explored how suppressed sexual desire
would begin to sprout forth and take control. It is a surreal and strange film,
which is both sexually adventurous and complex. Always inventive, when the home
video boom began to take its toll on theatre based adult titles; he became
Master Carter Stevens and moved into the field of bondage and S & M.
This
collection includes Stevens’ breakthrough classics The Collegiates (1973) along
with The Hot Oven (1975), Mount of Venus (1975) and In Sarah’s Eyes (1975).
They have been digitally restored from the only remaining film elements.
The
Collegiates focuses on hot and heavy hijinks as a group of horny college
students conspire to help their uptight roommate lose her virginity. It stars
the legendary Harry Reems in one of his earliest roles and also features Kim
Pope and Tanya T. Tickler.
The
Hot Oven answers the immortal question What goes on when the delivery boy adds
a few erotic ingredients to the sauce they put on the pizza? No matter what
topping you like, you’re gonna love this deep-dish classic from the cheesy,
sleazy imagination of the porn master. Developed from a script by Wesson Smith,
a pseudonym for a friend who later went on to have a career in television, it
stars Jamie Gillis and Eric Edwards. Since Stevens was charged with obscenity
in November 1974 the film originally gave everyone pseudonyms ending with Jones
or Smith !
Mount
of Venus: If Greek mythology bored you in school, time to take a crash course
on what really happened on the horny heights of Mount Olympus. A fantasy type
adult film with an outrageous sense of humour, it was originally shot under the
working title Up the Greek, it starred Georgina Spelvin who had made her name
in The Devil in Miss Jones so was a real winner. Other members of the all-star
cast included Jamie Gillis and Eric Edwards.
In
Sarah’s Eyes is probably the weirdest of Stevens’ films, based on H.P
Lovecraft, it is complex, plot driven and surreal. It is certainly hardcore but
offers a very creative and intriguing tale. Sarah might be unable to satisfy
her erotic desires, but wait until you see what’s happening inside her
imagination, a lesson on the danger on suppressed desire. Starring Carter
Stevens, Lauraine Alraune with a special guest appearance by the notorious
larger than life Marc Stevens.
This
is a superb four film package which also includes a very comprehensive 11 page
history and liner notes, commentary tracks, trailers and interviews.
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This review will appear in Volume 3 No.2 of the digital and print
edition of Synergy Magazine.
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