Tinseltown (1980) User Reviews

Fun Spoof of the Casting Couch

[Michael_Elliott · 29 April 2019]

Tinseltown (1980)

*** (out of 4)

Carter Stevens wrote, produced and directed this spoof of Hollywood. We're introduced to three different ladies who show up in Hollywood expecting to make it big but it doesn't take long for them to be passed around from one producer to the next.

In the commentary track for the film, director Stevens talks about how he was wanting to get out of the porno business and try his hand at a legit film. He agreed to make this picture as long as he was allowed to go to California and the rest is pretty much history. While his career didn't lead to anything "mainstream" he at least got to deliver a rather clever and fun film.

TINSELTOWN isn't a masterpiece but there's no question that Stevens had a talent for getting his cast in the mood of what he was trying to do. We've seen this type of story countless times before but I really liked the comic tone that was on display here and for the most part the film was well-made and fun. It certainly helped that Danille Raye was so good in her role as a country girl seeking fame.

Danelle Rae, 1 time wonder was hot

[mingo-2 · 7/10 · 10 November 2000]

The corn fed healthy country girl look of the female lead made this movie. That and the line from another porn actress, playing an aspiring hollywood actress, in which she says;"I'll just be happy to get a job without having to **** everyone in southern California"

You know what they say about "making it" in Hollywood

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 8 May 2019]

Three different ladies -- naïve small town country gal Mary Jo Harmon (buxom blonde one shot wonder Danielle Raye), eager Pat Norman (foxy Tawny Pearl), and laidback hooker Dominique Allwyn (slender minx Ashley Brooks) -- all arrive in Hollywood at the same time. Mary Jo and Pat aspire to become famous movie stars while Dominque is content with turning tricks.

Director/co-writer Carter Stevens keeps the enjoyably bawdy story moving along at a zippy pace, maintains an amiable tongue-in-cheek tone throughout, and tosses in a few amusing ironic plot twists for good measure. Of course, our three protagonists learn super fast what exactly "making it" in Hollywood entails, but at least the graphic sex scenes done as a result of this life lesson are pretty hot and energetic. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast of familiar Golden Age adult cinema faces: Eric Edwards as hunky nice guy executive Jerry Kaminsky, Randy West as the lusty Mel Carter, Mike Ranger as smarmy director Curtis, Pat Manning as a predatory lesbian, and, in an especially stand-out turn, William Margold as sleazy agent Morty Green. Stevens acquits himself nicely in a supporting role as worldly reporter Fred. The bright cinematography by Stevens provides a pleasing sunny look. The funky-grinding score hits the get-down groovy spot. A fun romp.