Nothing to Hide

Synopsis:

Jack is a stud, who likes to talk dirty to the women that he fucks, and the ladies absolutely adore him for it. Lenny, his best friend, is slow and dim-witted, and has trouble getting women to even talk to him. Jack attempts several times to get his lady friends to fuck Lenny, but always fails. Later, Lenny find love on his own, when he meets a girl named Karen at the park.

Commentary:

This is one of the classics from the so-called “golden-age” of porn, which means that it was made sometime in the 70’s to the early 80’s. This was at a time when porn flicks had a plot, decent acting, and mostly shot on film (Instead of on video, like the films of today).

“Nothing To Hide” was released in 1981 by Anthony Spinelli, a director who made an impressive list of films in his days. The screenplay was written by the director’s own son, and the movie was garnished with awards and praises from a variety of adult film associations and magazines. This is Spinelli’s sequel to his “Talk Dirty To Me”, and is considered by many, to be his best film. “Talk Dirty To Me Part II” and the others that followed, were made by the producers who owned the title and spun out the sequels with other directors. So Spinelli made his own follow-up with a new producer and a different title, and brought back the central characters from the previous film. Eventually the commercial and critical success of “Nothing To Hide” lead to a series of films of its own.

Classics can either be a good or bad alternative to the offerings of today’s skin flicks. It depends on what you’re in the mood for. If you’re looking for non-stop hardcore action, featuring actresses that look like Nici Sterling or Tera Patrick, you will surely be disappointed with this film. The sex in “Nothing To Hide”, although very hot at times, do not stand up to today’s standards. The sex scenes are short in comparison, and they’re not as graphic as what we now see. At times, there are actually ten-minutes of story and dialogue between the sex sequences, and more than ten-minutes following the final sex scene in the film!

The film begins with Jack (played by the famous John Leslie), fucking a married woman while her husband is out. Jack’s buddy Lenny (played by Richard Pacheco), stands outside the house and keep a look-out for the husband. Jack is screwing the woman in a standing position, up against a window, when the husband pulls up the drive-way. Lenny alerts Jack to pull out (so to speak!), but the wife begs Jack to finish before he leaves. So she drops to her knees, and Jack sticks his cock between her tits, and finishes in a brief tit-fucking sequence. While Lenny screams “Hurry Jack! Hurry!”, Jack shoots all over her tits, and escapes out the window just in time. The entire scene is more amusing than arousing, and it introduces us to the lead characters. Next, we are introduced to Karienda, played by Erica Boyer, who Jack picks up at the park. Boyer is the star of the show (although she has only this one scene). She has top billing and the cover of the DVD. Which seems appropriate, considering she is the best-looking woman in the feature, and her scene with Leslie is probably the hottest. First, Jack oils her tight body, and then he eagerly eats her pussy, and then proceeds to fuck her. Although she not the most beautiful thing I’ve laid my eyes on, she is very sexy. She also gives Leslie some great head. The scene is pretty hot, but it seems to be on the short side.

Another steamy part of the film is with John Leslie and Misty Regan, but this segment too would have been better if it was extended a bit. Other than that, the next few scenes are about the same as the previous ones. I think the weakest part of the film all around, is the lack of variety of the sex itself. There are six sequences throughout, and all of them are basically one-on-one, male/female scenes. Also, all but one of the scenes involve John Leslie. The part with Richard Pacheco and Chelsea Manchester is the only time that Leslie is not part of the action. Aside from the flaws, there are genuine qualities to this film that we rarely see in today’s porn. The lighting and the camera work gave the film a warm and intimate feel. The wardrobe, hairdo’s, make-up, dialogue, story, and the cheesy score, contribute to its campiness, making it seem like an early 80’s television show. And most of all, the chemistry between the actors are great. They really seem to enjoy what they’re doing.

The women in the film are mostly attractive, but in a common sort of way. And it’s really interesting to see in one feature, so many women with natural breasts, and hairy pussies! Overall, I would say “Nothing To Hide” is a “must-have” if you’re a true collector of adult films, or a faithful fan of the “golden-age” classics. I would also recommend this to anyone who is tired of the conventional films of today. This may also be the ideal flick for couples looking for something a bit softer. The film does lack in many areas, but it does make up for it in others. It’s not one of my personal favorites, but it’s definitely a collectible.

DVD Perspectives:

Considering the age of the film, the image and the sound is nice and clear. There are a few scratches and slight jumps here and there, but overall, it made an outstanding transfer to DVD. Also, the menu is very lacking, it only comes with the chapter search (which allows you to jump to six different scenes).

The commentary with Jim Holliday and Jill Kelly was informative as well as enjoyable. They discuss the making of the film, as well as the porn industry in the “golden-era”. However, the audio track and the movie itself, is out of sync when running them together. So it is best if you run the normal track by itself, when watching the movie first time around, and then watching it again to hear the commentary track.

Probably the most disappointing feature of all on this DVD, is the multi-angle sex scenes. It’s really the same angle, but inverted the other way. It’s really silly.

Intangibles:

p; I have to praise Nutech and the other DVD companies that are releasing the classics. I think it’s important for these films to be preserved and seen. After all, these are the movies that started it all. “Nothing To Hide” isn’t perfect, but it has been around for awhile, and can truly be called a “classic”. For that reason, I would give it 2 extra stars!!

Ratings: (out of 5 stars)

Overall Rating: 3 STARS
(A Golden Old)

Sex: 3
Sound: 3
Picture: 3
Extras: 1
Intangible: 2