L'éducation de Mandy

Reading the rapturous reviews in IMDb for this vintage porn feature, you would be led to believe it's somehing special, even a classic. Alas, latter-day reactions can be deceiving, as this was neither groundbreaking nor a big deal back in the day, not one of Traci Lords' greatest hits, like her movies with Tom Byron for example.

Her soap opera story, married to philanderer Harry Reems and later becoming sexually liberated alongside her lesbian-oriented gal pals, is hoary, as is the obligatory sex scenes with the pool boy or the gardener. It's nicely photographed and the ladies are beauties, but nostalgia for an era by folks that is before their time leaves me cold. I was there and don't need to trust to the faulty or phony memories of the likes of William Margold!

In a recent interview with Sharon Kelly (nom de porn Colleen Brennan) Ms. Kelly claims everyone knew Traci was underage. When interviewed the legendary Bill Margold said he told his wife Drea that there was something unfinished about this girl and he suspected she might be underage. Their observations were based on seeing a young voluptuous girl who seemed to have a bit of baby fat left on her, a squeaky voice that began to drop as she got older, and both commented that Traci's full young firm breasts were ill formed in that they were somewhat bulbous in their shape. Yet Traci was such a hit and catapulted to the top of video rentals and sales soon after she made her debut. In this movie Harry Reems plays her husband and she catches him cheating on her. She goes through a wild story with her girlfriends Christy Canyon and Heather Wayne. In another interview porn legend Peter North said this was maybe his first on screen scene with Traci. As he recalled Traci teased him a bit before they had sex. She wooed and cooed with him. He then said when she took off her sweater she was in a bra and skirt. She removed her bra and he said he was astounded how gorgeous, firm, and big her bosoms were. He said at that point he needed very little direction and or encouragement to perform with this gorgeous young girl. He said though he had no idea she was probably about 16 years of age at the time. He challenged the interviewer and audience to specify what would have been their clues as he said she looked, acted, and carried herself like a woman. And he stated she certainly had the full body of a young grown woman who didn't flinch and or show any signs of being uncomfortable when they were naked together. In fact North would also say Traci often controlled her scenes in an attempt to dominate her sexual partner.

"Deep Throat" may have been the first and some others, like "Debbie Does Dallas" for example, may perhaps be the most famous, but THIS "Educating Mandy" is definitely one of the greatest and unquestionably the most prototypic porno movie ever made. The movie enjoys a more or less notorious reputation because the luscious leading lady – Traci Lords – reportedly was still a minor around the time of filming, but I assure the reputation isn't the only reason why you ought to seek this baby out. Here are the real reasons that make "Educating Mandy" a bona fide adult classic: First and foremost, it's an old-fashioned porn movie with real and natural starlets instead of artificial and silicone-stuffed Barbie dolls. Traci Lords, Christy Canyon, Gina Valentino … At least they were genuine beauties with authentic curves that are much sexier than surgically implanted breasts. Secondly, the cast listing almost looks like a gathering of the greatest and most legendary people in the adult movie business! There's the aforementioned Traci Lords and Christy Canyon, and on the male side there's Harry Reems ("Deep Throat", "The Devil in Miss Jones"), Ron Jeremy and Peter North. And then last but certainly not least, there's the story! "Educating Mandy" is a delightful exhibition of every possible cliché and stereotype the porn industry has to offer. Every typical adult movie situation that you can imagine yourself does, in fact, feature in this film and I'm pretty sure a lot of popular clichés originate from here. Traci Lords plays a naive young beauty that walks in on her unfaithful husband having sex with his secretary (cliché n# 1). She's very upset and seeks comfort with her two best friends. Together, the three ladies exchange stories about their sexual encounters in the past. Torrid and extendedly illustrated stories that involve well-hung pool boys, traveling cosmetics salesmen and electricity repair guys (clichés n# 2, 3 and 4). Mandy starts to feel better already but of course her friends won't let her go before sharing a little bit of lesbian intimacy (cliché n# 4). Once home, Mandy vividly fantasizes about fornicating with the Puerto Rican gardener (cliché n# 5) and decides to leave her husband. Eventually she finds new sexual happiness with the divorce attorney (cliché n# 6) who always secretly loved her. Now that's what I call a happy ending! Although incredibly hard to find these days, "Educating Mandy" is an absolute must-see for anyone who ever showed a healthy interest in the world of adult movie-making. It's a funny, joyful and spirited little movie, never at one point perverted or obscene.

Tracy Lords, Christy Canyon and the rest of the ladies turn in great performances. (I guess the guys do too, but who cares?) You probably can't find a copy of this movie because Tracy Lords was only 17 when she made it, but if you get a chance, this is a porn movie with a plot, a story to tell and a powerful cast to tell it.