The Stud (1979)

From reading the reviews on here they seem to be a mixed bag, too many people on here who post reviews are trying to hard to be next Barry Norman, The Stud is the classic cult movie, yes it's outlandish in parts, majority of cast turn up and deliver a performance, even the bad actors try, it's not meant to be Shakespeare, it's what it's meant to be an easy watch, from a bygone era, a time capsule of 1970s London, Collins is on top form, Mark Burns "Leonard Grant" almost steals the movie with surreal bits of wisdom, Doug Fisher delivers the best lines, yes it's seedy, dark,silly in parts but it's a classic.

Oliver Tobias plays Tony Blake; plaything to the wealthy ladies of the decadent London disco club scene. Tony is a working class guy, trying to climb the ladder of fortune and success, by using his sexy looks and charm. Unfortunately the hustler is no match for female hustler, lady-shark Fontaine Khalad, played to perfection by Joan Collins. And when Tony begins to have real romantic feelings for Fontaine's teenage stepdaughter, it's the beginning of the end for our anti-hero. "The Stud" is an amazing time capsule, a vivid documentation of a decadent decade where disco and drugs were King. Surprisingly atmospheric, as well as effectively seedy and depressing, but it really has a heart when it comes to showing the rise and fall of Tony Blake. He is the perfect British "working class hero," who turns out to be more noble than any of the high society people that feed on him and throw him to the wolves. This is no "Boogie Nights," or "54," it is the real deal. The soundtrack is impressive, and it is a wonder how they got permission to use all these very popular songs for the production; this movie was apparently a very big deal at the time, and a big hit too. Collins is wonderful in her role as the jaded, two-timing bitch, but it is Oliver Tobias who gives this film it's soul. Followed by a sequel, "The Bitch," but this is by far the better film. Recommended for fans of 70's exploitation films. For those who believe the 70's were a happy and innocent time, see "The Stud." It really shatters that myth..

Artistically this film probably deserves its average 2-3 out of 10 rating on IMDb, but to watch it for artistic reasons is a mistake. This is a film that simply went out to make as much money as possible and in that respect it was a big (and rare UK) success. So while the much mocked health spa/ swimming pool orgy scene is unarguably pure hokum, its purpose was simply to get film goers talking about all the raunchy scenes, as was the sex in the lift scene. Other great word of mouth devices are using the hugely popular (among men of a certain age) Pans People/ Legs & Co in the dancing scenes and cashing in on the disco craze. Simply as a fan of cinema these devices are of great interest. To top it all there is a surprisingly good film poster for a film supposedly of no artistic merit. After watching it after all these years (too young at the time) I am impressed that the rather pathetic British film industry of this time was capable of making such a venal and direct money spinner.

The R2 double-feature DVD of this film, along with its sequel THE BITCH (1979; see below), had been available for rental through my local DVD outlet for quite some time - and, though I had been tempted to check it out time and again, I finally took the plunge after having watched star Joan Collins in another sexy role in ...CAN HEIRONYMUS MERKIN EVER FORGET MERCY HUMPPE AND FIND TRUE HAPPINESS? (1969).Based on the lurid novel by Joan's own sister, Jackie Collins, the film isn't for anyone looking for quality cinema; cheesy, sleazy trash - set in London and accompanied by a dated disco soundtrack - that's filled with copious but unerotic nudity. Collins, at least, is clearly having fun with her bitchy role; Oliver Tobias is the would-be stud who finds himself to be merely a pawn in her game (and who, predictably, finds real love in the arms of Collins' teenage step-daughter); while Walter Gotell (a regular in the James Bond extravaganzas) is her betrayed but vengeful diplomat husband.