Inserts (1975)

A young, once-great Hollywood film director refuses to accept changing times during the early 1930s, and confines himself to his decaying mansion to make silent porn flicks.

Director:

John Byrum

Writer:

John Byrum

Stars:

Richard Dreyfuss, Jessica Harper, Bob Hoskins

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Boy Wonder
Jessica Harper	...	Cathy Cake
Bob Hoskins	...	Big Mac
Veronica Cartwright	...	Harlene
Stephen Davies	...	Rex, the Wonder Dog

Storyline

A once-great silent film director, unable to make the transition to the new talkies, lives as a near-hermit in his Hollywood home, making cheap, silent sex films, and suffering in the knowledge of his sexual impotence, and apathetic about the plans to demolish his home to make way for a highway. His producer and his producer's girlfriend come by to see how he is doing (and to supply heroin to the actress as her payment). The girlfriend stays to watch them filming, and is deeply impressed by his methods. When the actress goes to the bathroom, and dies there of an overdose, the girlfriend takes her place in the film. Then the producer returns.

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | sex | gold digger | girl wearing panties | love interest | 

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Taglines:

A degenerate film with dignity.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for explicit sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though the US release was cut by around eighteen minutes apparently none of these edits resulted in the removal of any nudity. The US home video version utilized the uncut 117 minute version which had debuted in Britain.

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Goofs

Sitting at piano, Boy Wonder plays song Moonglow, written in 1934. The movie takes place at least three or four years earlier (characters repeatedly talk about a then-unknown actor named Clark Gable, already a big star by time song was written).

NOTE: "Moonglow" is not explicitly referenced as such, and is virtually identical to 1929's "Sweeter Than Sweet", so this may not be a goof.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Cathy Cake: I want to see it all.

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Crazy Credits

The end credits are shown in black-and-white, against a backdrop of a silk cloth. It is also grainier and scratched in spots compared to the rest of the film. It is very reminiscent of the credits of vintage 30's melodramas.

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Alternate Versions

Although the print submitted was the longer version the original UK cinema release was cut by the BBFC to edit the pre-credits sequence and some footage from the sex scene between Harlene and Rex. The 1987 Warner video was uncut.

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Connections

Featured in Playboy: The Story of X (1998)

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Soundtracks

Moonglow
Written by Will Hudson, Edgar De Lange and Irving Mills
Played by Joe Venuti and his orchestra
recording courtesy of RCA records

User Reviews

Art Film

When this film was released sometime after the release of "Jaws" (although it was apparently shot before "Jaws"), the ad copy led me to believe (at age 12) that Richard Dreyfuss himself was the big Hollywood figure who had decided to do just pornos - brilliant pornos. I wasn't the only one, as I recall asking a Universal Studios tour guide if there would be a sequel to "Jaws" and which characters might return. When I asked about the Dreyfuss character, she awkwardly explained to me that Dreyfuss wasn't doing "these kinds of movies anymore." I saw "Inserts" later on Subscription TV when I was about 18. I don't know how edited it was, but I do recall nudity and some explicit descriptions of porn film-making. If you're looking for brilliant porno, or any kind of porno, look elsewhere. If you 1) like small talky art films, 2) are are fan of Richard Dreyfuss, 3) have an interest in the history of porn films (yes they existed before "Deep Throat") and are open to the other two items I mentioned, then you may find it of interest.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 February 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Inserts

Filming Locations:

Lee International Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film and General Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min 99 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1