Hiding behind a generic jail-bait porn title, LITTLE SHOWOFFS turns out to be a rather interesting example of underground cinema, popular in the '60s but essentially pre-empted by hardcore porn (this is XXX content as well). It has certain elements in common with director Zachary Strong's straight-ahead porn movies, but in collaboration with Joanne Rosen (aka Molly Seagrim) the result here is quite offbeat.
The overlap between porn and "experimental cinema" is well-known, with the Kuchar Bros. and the Michael/Roberta Findlay team in the '60s plowing similar ground before latter turned to explicit sex. Similarly, Curt McDowell (of THUNDERCRACK! fame) had his foot in both camps. McDowell reportedly co-directed LITTLE SHOWOFFS, without credit.
Zachary and writer Seagrim deliver six separate vignettes, each keyed to a different type of background music and featuring both pro and amateur talent. Throughout the film the viewer is constantly reminded that "we're making a movie here", as interviews conducted in black & white footage by Roger Halcyon with the auditioning actors are inter-cut with the finished scenes.
"Music Master" is the first segment, employs three porno actors, for a quality soft-core lesbian scene that becomes a XXX threesome when the guy is added.
Lili Marlene, quite outspoken in her interview, stars in "Pick Up", literally that as she goes off with a non-actor portraying a biker, and they hump. "Little Egypt", cornily scored to "Hernando's Hideaway" music, has some visual flair in a tale of incest, with attractive Karen Sweet in the leading role; if IMDb is correct I've seen all her movies.
"Communion" is set in a convent with a pretentious air about it, hurt by the non- pros' poor performances. Dildos and anal sex make the scene in "Museum Piece" an amateur effort set in a chintzy looking art museum. Finale titled "Teacher's Pet" is a familiar young MILF fantasy. In the interview the non-actress reveals she was sort of a teacher (more like a grad ass't) in real life, and the fact that the two players are about the same age ruins the premise. Once again, reliance upon talent obtained by placing an ad for interested parties is no substitute for hiring proved, talented talent.
Chalk this one up to a pornographer bored with his craft and trying something different - running it up the flagpole and nobody saluted.
