Behind the scenes to see how porno queens get chosen? We've seen that before. For this overused theme to work, the sex had better be good. Unfortunately, The Starmaker fails miserably —not because the people are unappealing, but because they mostly look like they'd rather be playing backgammon.

The scene between Jamie Gillis and Copper Penny, which could have been a hot number, wasted a lot of sexual talent; simply because Gillis seemed bored and the gorgeous Penny did little to arouse him. The screenwriter chose, during this scene, to call Gillis "the greatest porn star ever." Usually a terrific actor, Gillis' performance in The Starmaker is forgettable at best.

The lighting and downbeat musical soundtrack did not enhance the sex, either. During one scene, we are forced to hear Kenny Dino sing the same song twice while four background singers screw in near total darkness. We're offered nearly six "memorable" minutes of amateur country porn... in the dark.

Ken, played by Ron Feilen, is distraught over his split with porn superstar Seka and, encouraged by pals Kenny Dino, David Ruby, and Joe Harlow, searches for a new female sensation. After "auditioning" many women, he finally selects his vivacious secretary whom he renames Cintrice.

Cintrice has an enchanting body and seems to have a bright future in adult films. Her threesome with dependable Lisa Be and the ever-potent R. Bolla adds a few zesty moments to an otherwise dismal movie. In The Starmaker, saddled with unworkable lines, she performs admirably. Hopefully, future films will serve as better vehicles for her talents.

The final scene —a coming out party for Cintrice at New York's Plato's Retreat— has some decent sexual moments. R. Bolla and Sharon Mitchell make a nice splash together in the pool and readers who would normally not attend a sex club party get a rare glimpse inside the famous pleasure palace.

The Starmaker also captures several regular Plato patrons in sexual action. In addition, Marc Stevens and Veronica hart appear briefly in non-sexual cameos. Ron Jeremy appear for about ten seconds, but is listed as one of the film's stars.

Failing to measure up to the current crop of X-rated videotapes, The Starmaker seems to have no real direction, few original ideas, and some non-arousing sex scenes that might have your finger on the speed search of your VCR.