Intimate Lessons, the latest release from Collector's Video, is a slick production in the traditional of Bad Girls and Sex World. There's a familiar premise: a mixed group of horny people embark on a weekend trip to a sexual therapy clinic where they are encouraged to "open up" and release all of their inhibitions. But if you've heard this story before, fear not. Intimate Lessons brings a fresh feel to this genre.

The clinic in Intimate Lessons, complete with a slobbering hunchback butler and filthy chauffeur, is Castle Coppula. And of course, a master of the castle exists... a Sir Aubrey de Sade (remember the demented Rocky de Sade from Alex DeRenzy's Femmes de Sade?).

Sir Aubrey, (played by Paul Thomas), a somewhat weird character, spanks his faithful assistant/companion (Kay Parker) with a broom, wears extremely strange clothing and speaks with an exceedingly annoying affectation. He pooh-poohs the idea that pornography is erotica, but his lectures include films of lesbians sex. The show-and-tell part of his classes in erotic include demonstrations on the use of dildoes —complete with student volunteers. Everyone is reminded that they may do whatever makes them feel good at any time. Throughout this film, everyone feels good!

To coin a phrase, the sex here is hot and heavy. Right from the opening sex scene with the scrumptious Danielle and her weekend roomie Geoff Conrad, there's non-stop action. Director Phillip Marshall's often unusual, but creative camera angles provide some erotic visuals that have rarely been seen before.

The Paul Thomas/Kay Parker indoor pool scene should satisfy Kay's legion of fans. There are food orgies in the castle and underwater action outside. One of the hottest scenes has Kay using her wonderful cleavage in seducing Geoff Conrad. K.C. Valentine, who has been getting plenty of work lately, proves again that she is destined for porno stardom (seeing K.C.'s wonderous body motivates me to go on a crash diet). Here, she is playing a virgin and Sir Aubrey, naturally, gets to do the honors in a climactic orgy scene.

Paul Thomas, meanwhile, could become the male-Georgina Spelvin of adult films, appearing in many movies where he's typecast as the mysterious "father" image. As Sir Aubrey, he adds a touch of class to a character who is draped in decadence.

While not a great movie, Intimate Lessons certainly ranks up there with the best videocassette releases in the last several months. It's easily compared to Bad Girls (Collector's largest selling release) because almost all of the characters are very attractive. Now there's  not a very comprehensive story-line and the character development is slim. But luckily, nothing gets in the way of the almost non-stop sex: hot, luscious and surprisingly well-photographed.

It's a great visual feast, with new stars like K.C. Valentine and Danielle playing alongside veterans Paul Thomas and the ever-popular Kay Parker (who never seems to age). The best parts of Intimate Lessons are the intimate ones and there are plenty. But as for lessons, I didn't learn any.