Jamie Gillis and Bree Anthony receive quality roles (for a change) in the above-average porn soap opera WHEN A WOMAN CALLS. Director Bill Milling/Philip Drexler (among many stage names) gives a preview of the talent exemplified in his later classics, notably A SCENT OF HEATHER.
Picture has an unusual bi-coastal setting, with action split between New York City and Los Angeles, though the talent roster is East Coast (and shooting was likely NYC only). Gillis and Anthony are presented as a married couple squabbling, preparing to get divorced. Bree handles whoever narration, noting that their 3-year relationship is over, and a classical music score adds to the porno Lifetime Channel aspect of the story.
A flashback shows them humping in better times, but right now Jamie's brother Scotty (Alan Marlow) is helping him move to L.A. Once there Jamie takes up with Helen Madigan while Alan is serviced by Liz (an unidentified actress).
On her own Bree is sexually liberated, hitting the sack with a number of guys including Bobby Astyr. There's lesbian sex and group sex, too, but after all this experimentation the stars reunite in the final reel for a happy ending and rejuvenation of their relationship. "I'm engaged" Bree announces happily as they set out for a second try at fadeout.
Nicely lensed, film is a good antidote to the many rough-sex movies both stars were making at this time, including classics like THE STORY OF JOANNA and THE TAKING OF Christina. Parallel to the lasting power and popularity of the late '40s and early' 50s films noirs compared to the often forgotten women's pictures of that era, softer adult pictures like this one await rediscovery.
Picture has an unusual bi-coastal setting, with action split between New York City and Los Angeles, though the talent roster is East Coast (and shooting was likely NYC only). Gillis and Anthony are presented as a married couple squabbling, preparing to get divorced. Bree handles whoever narration, noting that their 3-year relationship is over, and a classical music score adds to the porno Lifetime Channel aspect of the story.
A flashback shows them humping in better times, but right now Jamie's brother Scotty (Alan Marlow) is helping him move to L.A. Once there Jamie takes up with Helen Madigan while Alan is serviced by Liz (an unidentified actress).
On her own Bree is sexually liberated, hitting the sack with a number of guys including Bobby Astyr. There's lesbian sex and group sex, too, but after all this experimentation the stars reunite in the final reel for a happy ending and rejuvenation of their relationship. "I'm engaged" Bree announces happily as they set out for a second try at fadeout.
Nicely lensed, film is a good antidote to the many rough-sex movies both stars were making at this time, including classics like THE STORY OF JOANNA and THE TAKING OF Christina. Parallel to the lasting power and popularity of the late '40s and early' 50s films noirs compared to the often forgotten women's pictures of that era, softer adult pictures like this one await rediscovery.