BLUE HEAT is a porn thriller that takes the viewer behind the scenes of porn filmmaking, with mixed results. It's interesting enough to be widely revived (currently available from 3 video companies), and I'm reviewing the Alpha Blue Archives version.
Ray Wells is a porn director summoned to Cleveland to meet with a mafia boss played by Big Jim Thornton, who is stylishly filmed in shadow. The mafia is intent on muscling in on Wells' business and easing him out, with many a nod to THE GODFATHER in the plot line as well as stealing Nino Rota's music left and right.
A very interesting subplot focuses on Ray's editor, played by Bob Robins, through which we learn of the details of porn production, notably sound recording issues. In an odd way this movie proves to be educational, as it not only provides insight into the niceties of filmmaking but either intentionally or subliminally stresses emphatically the Mob involvement with the industry, which was all too true (c.f., the distribution history of the film DEEP THROAT).
There are many in-jokes on display, notably a namedropping of the film's director Young Lee, whose real name has been identified as Harry Lewis.
Attractive female cast makes this a better than usual porn outing, which could have been a winner with a bigger budget and a lot more effort -at least Lee tried.