CHICAGO - One of the early giants among studios producing gay porn, Brentwood Studios not only launched the careers of several legendary directors but also developed new marketing techniques that revolutionized the way gay porn was promoted.
Bijou Theater will focus on the studio's accomplishments during its December Spotlight Series, to occur Dec. 8-10.
According to Bijou spokesman David, "Brentwood was the name in early gay porn, producing scores of 8mm ‘loops' that guys would watch on their home projectors. Many directors got their break into the gay porn business shooting these 15- to 20-minute films for Brentwood. It was quite a feat to establish a setting, identify your characters and develop a story that included some hot and heavy sex in that time frame - especially without the aid of sound or dialog."
Brentwood's contribution to the marketing realm was equally impressive, he said.
"Besides making these classic sex movies, Brentwood also developed new marketing techniques," David noted. "While most early gay porn was advertised in small magazine ads, Brentwood produced a series of flyers and pamphlets with, for the times, graphic descriptions and photos that were coveted as much as the films.
"These pamphlets helped establish some of our earliest gay porn stars. Not everyone had projectors to watch the films or the ability to get their hands on a Brentwood film, but these pamphlets traded hands and allowed names and faces to become the fantasies of many young men."
When the home-video market began to emerge, three or four Brentwood films were compiled to make full-length videotapes. The individual films often had nothing in common except the studio, but the compilations enjoyed popularity because all of them provided a good hour's worth of great sex.
Three 60-minute Brentwood films will be featured during the December screening: Truck Stop (Dec. 8), Challenger (1983; Dec. 9) and Marine Furlough (1982; Dec. 10). All are pre-condom classics. The latter two were directed by Matt Sterling. Challenger is noteworthy because it contains Al Parker's first on-camera sexual performance.
Spotlight Series tickets are $20 and provide admission to all three nights' screenings. As a special bonus, everyone who attends a screening will receive a reproduction of a classic Brentwood flyer.
Later in the month, Bijou will celebrate the holiday season with a "Ring My Bells Extravaganza." Reigning Raging Stallion Man of the Year and lifetime exclusive Ricky "The Hammer" Sinz will appear live on stage and distribute DVD gift packs. In addition, a trio of naughty elves is scheduled to perform.
The extravaganza will begin at 10 p.m. Dec. 20. There is no admission charge.
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