The Last Porno Flick a.k.a Those Mad, Mad Moviemakers

The Last Porno Flick, also known as Those Mad, Mad Moviemakers, is a 1973 ribald comedy directed by Ray Marsh and produced by Carlo Ponti. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Frank Calcanini, Michael Pataki, Mike Kellin, Jo Anne Meredith, and Robyn Hilton. Its story draws heavily from the chaotic, intriguing, and sometimes crazy world of filmmaking, skewing certain aspects of it for the sake of humor and creating an enjoyable, light-hearted watch.

The plot follows aspiring young filmmakers Tony (Frank Calcanini) and Eddie (Michael Pataki). As two comically ambitious Italians from New York, they share a dream of making it big in Hollywood. The duo has grand visions of fame, glamour, and adulation, but their budgeting efforts pose the biggest hurdle. Coming from humble backgrounds, they need to secure funds to pursue their thrilling, albeit somewhat naive, cinematic aspirations.

In an attempt to raise the necessary capital, the pair conjures up an outrageous plan. By coaxing their conservative, oblivious investors into believing they are financing a religious film, they aim to secretly produce an adult movie instead. Hoping that it would be easier to earn back the production costs, they argue that adult films are profitable, and the profit would then allow them to make more mainstream movies.

The duo's wild journey begins as they face an assortment of offbeat, eccentric characters, including suspicious mobsters, reluctant actors, and skeptical crew members. The plot thickens as they attempt to navigate through a world filled with absurdities, misunderstandings, hushed whispers and slapstick foibles. As Tony and Eddie sprint towards their end goal, the resulting comedic ruin lends the movie its charm and laughs.

On the other hand, Mike Kellin plays Tony's and Eddie's main investor, who, despite his naivety, brings a quintessential touch of irony to the film with his consistent goofiness and blundering efforts. Jo Anne Meredith gives a brave, fun performance as Carmela, a hairdresser who ends up starring in Tony's and Eddie's movie. Robyn Hilton, as the voluptuous Mary, contributes to the steamier aspects of the story and further contributes to the film's comedic undertones.

The movie's screenplay, written by director Ray Marsh, often highlights the contradictory and laughable nature of the film industry, making light of the challenges faced by budding filmmakers. Attempting to demonstrate the humorous, absurd side of the industry, The Last Porno Flick gleefully steps into satire territory. The film has a distinctly 70s charm and feeling, with its unique blend of comedy, detailed set designs, vintage styles and quirks of that era, adding to its overall appeal.

In terms of technical aspects, The Last Porno Flick features straightforward, old-school filmmaking techniques that lend a nostalgic feel. The director uses simple camera work, capturing the laughs and the hustle of making a movie within a movie. The soundtrack is also particularly retro, an enjoyable trip to the wildly stylish and energetic 70s disco and pop music.

While the mere mention of the plot may cause some viewers to raise their eyebrows, the film is far from explicit and reels it back on the adult content. It cleverly uses innuendo and comedic banter to imply without really showing. Therefore, The Last Porno Flick is more of a classic comedy, with the adult movie premise serving as the catalyst to the film's many comedic situations rather than a core element.

On the whole, The Last Porno Flick offers a detailed and comedic take on the circumstances someone might face when trying to break into the film industry, especially when the intentions are as absurd and naive as Tony's and Eddie's. It's a delightful watch for anyone who enjoys old-time comedies, with its whimsical narrative and chucklesome mishaps. It certainly isn't a regular journey, and the complex, hilarious obstacles that its characters keep facing make for an entertaining and amusing spectacle.