THE DIVINE OBSESSION (1975) Part 1

Before he put Troma on the map with TOXIC AVENGER and SGT. KABUKIMAN, Lloyd Kaufman was a struggling independent filmmaker in New York City. With only two genres really making money for cash-strapped producers (horror and porn), Kaufman tapped into the latter early on his career. While not his first adult title, THE DIVINE OBSESSION is his best. Star Julia Franklin plays...HERSELF in an usual faux biopic following Julia's trek from horny high schooler to sex superstar, sacrificing her self-respect along the way. Along for the ride are some of New York's finest: handsome Alan Marlow plays Julia's study buddy; Terri Hall and Bree Anthony are her best friends and fellow strippers/adult film stars; and Eric Edwards plays a big-time movie producer who indulges in a Shakespeare-incited love scene. From what I've been told, Kaufman isn't necessarily ashamed of his adult work, yet generally doesn't acknowledge it because Troma partner Michael Herz believes it isn't good PR. This could be completely false, especially considering that Troma was built on offending viewers, but look no further for proof that Kaufman made this than the walls of Eric Edwards' office. Not only is there a SUGAR COOKIES poster, but a poster for SWEET AND SOUR, an earlier Kaufman porno quickie distributed by his porno branch Melody Films. It's also interesting to note that I own the poster and pressbook for this film, and where the pseudonym "Louis Su" is credited on the film print itself, all press materials feature Lloyd Kaufman's name prominently. The tracking is pretty awful on the VHS tape in my collection, but the rarity of this title makes up for it! Additional note: The song during the opening credits, "The Kid Gets Hot", was apparently released as a 45 RPM by The Fallen Angels in 1975. Great tune!

Author: joplinfantasy
Keywords: Lloyd Kaufman Julia Franklin Terri Hall Bree Anthony classic adult casting couch sexploitation
Added: August 23, 2008