Suzie Superstar: The Search Continues!!

Ron Sullivan/Henri Pachard put far more effort into writing and directing this followup to the Golden Age hit than perhaps the sum annual total of spadework done by today's gonzo crop of helmers. It won't sway any opinions of fans, but is an admirable work in a lost tradition of Adult Entertainment.

Not only is there a story, the familiar one of talent being discovered and succeeding (prior to today's manufactured Reality TV approach to instant stardom), but there is an ensemble of interesting characters here, intertwining and establishing their personalities, plus six XXX sex scenes, all in 82 minutes.

Alicia Monet, who was bright and bubbly in Sullivan's "Phone-Mates" comedy, does a fine job in the title role of Suzie, her long Polish surname immediately shortened to "Sky" by hotshot promoter Joey Silvera. Joey as "Joe Monfive" is a 3- dimensional character for a change, and I enjoyed having my emotions manipulated by director Ron as to whether I should like or distrust the lug, playing off his stereotypical loose cannon porn image.

Immediately from the opening I recognized the singing voice of Sharon Kane, who is an unrecognized talent in this department having written and performed her songs ably in several XXX films (no crossover for her it seems). She provides the singing voice for Monet to adequately lip sync, as well as singing live herself as a successful artist working in night clubs who discovers Monet's talent.

Chief club is run by Krista Lane as "Mr. S'", a funny moniker pronounced like "Miss Duress" by the rest of the cast. This is one of her better roles, dressed mannishly, never far from her favorite strap-on dildo, and an expert at domination of both sexes. Her scenes with Kane and with Tom Byron (playing Monet's truly no- goodnik boyfriend) are memorable.

Also in the mix is hapless drummer Jon Martin, bamboozled by "friend" Byron, who is afforded a very hot 3-way with Kane and Monet, which Kane's character purports to be her first sexual contact with a man (!). A young-ish Nina Hartley is full-blown out of the starter's gate with her mature mannerisms and non-stop sexual patter developed so early but nourished over a 30-year career to come.

But the real reason to see this feature is a special appearance by John Leslie, similar (but in the porn end of the entertainment spectrum) to a showy older-age character part for an actor aiming at an Oscar. He truly inhabits the part of "Z.W. McCain", a nearly-senile promoter who is Joey's mentor, and who can still get it up even though his mind is truly going. Leslie's monologues, mannerisms and always in character performance represent swinging for the fences and he hit a homer in my book.

Tale is ultimately cornball, which is clearly Sullivan's intention, but effortlessly achieves a standard of quality few still shoot for in these waning days of storyline porn. It's Exhibit A why I am currently escaping into the past for XXX sustenance, examining some overlooked periods post-Golden Age.