LAS VEGAS - VCX has struck a deal with director Bob Chinn to release the original John Holmes classic Johnny Wadd for the first time on DVD.
Johnny Wadd was the first in Chinn's series of hardboiled porn films starring Holmes in the title role of a womanizing private detective. Wadd's exploits continued in Flesh of the Lotus, The Danish Connection, Tell Them Johnny Wadd is Here, The Jade Pussycat, The China Cat and others. The character became Holmes' most famous persona, and the late actor was commonly identified as "Johnny Wadd" throughout his career.
Chinn found the lab's first answer print of Johnny Wadd in storage earlier this year. He publicly announced his discovery on the late star's 64th birthday this weekend at a book signing for the new bio "John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches."
"The print had only been projected once before, and it was in excellent shape," VCX president David Sutton told AVN. "We did a wet-gate transfer from the film element, and it looks amazing. The colors really pop, and it looks like the movie is brand-new."
The Johnny Wadd DVD will include director's commentary, bonus scenes with Holmes, free .WMV movies, an extensive photo gallery, and a video interview with Chinn shot specifically for the disc.
"It cuts to scenes he talks about and is just one of the greatest insights into the 'shoot and scoot' days of 70's porn I've ever seen," said Sutton.
The restored Johnny Wadd is a historic X-rated release and a sure contender for AVN's Best Classic DVD award. Although the Internet Adult Film Database indicates that VCX has put the movie out on VHS, Sutton maintains it was never issued on cassette.
"I cannot remember another title of this stature from the Golden Era that has never been released even on VHS," Sutton remarked. "Cecil Howard's Command Video titles come to mind, but even they have all been available on VHS for many years."
The new Johnny Wadd DVD streets Sept. 23. For more information, contact [email protected].
