Dixie Ray: Hollywood Star (1982) User Reviews

Too much spice brings down this well-crafted film.

[emm · 6/10 · 6 December 1998]

Shame on the majority of you for giving this disappointment a perfect "10"! Movies like this aren't instantly judged by the appearances of hot, spicy bare-breasted lesbians including Dixie Ray, who do anything but give you plenty of wet dreams! That's the considerably bad aspect of IT'S CALLED MURDER, BABY, which deserves some credit for recreating those mystery / film noirs of the 40s. While it wasn't expensive, the acting, characters, and make-up were pretty real in comparison. Explicit sexuality was the number one reason a few folks got to enjoy this, and along with some profanity, it creates a whole new and different twist to the vintage setting. Broads strip off whatever means possible to make American Movie Classics an embarrassing image. Trouble is, though, that these contents (along with the high-res film quality) disintegrate the moods and feelings of a classic translation of a 1940s feature film, making this another nudity-filled sleaze outing from the 1980s! It all doesn't come together!

X-RATED WITH A STORY LINE

[debba1 · 29 June 1999]

I purchased and viewed the X-rated version of this movie first and foremost because Cameron Mitchell was in it (he's always been a favorite of mine) and secondly because I was looking for some private viewing movies that were made with some amount of intelligence. This one was a jackpot! It has a real story with a beginning - middle - and - end! Something X-rated without the three minute viewing capacity of your normal male person (I am of the female species). Though I have since found many SENSUAL movies that can make me tingle from head to toe without any X-rated content, this particular movie was one (and I do mean one!) that I found to be well thought out and put together. (No complaints on John Leslie either, if you know what I mean!)

Heavily cut sex film is just a pointless exercise in time wasting

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 20 February 2017]

IT'S CALLED MURDER, BABY is a very strange film put out by Vinegar Syndrome, and after watching you'll wonder why they bothered. That's because it's a softcore version of a hardcore pornography film called DIXIE RAY Hollywood STAR, except with all of the sex cut out. To my mind, there's nothing more pointless than watching a porn film with all the sex cut out, because what's the point?

There isn't one, as it turns out. This film has surprisingly good production values for a skin flick, and a well-realised 1940s setting in which a lot of effort has gone into finding the right locations and getting the costumes right. Even old-timer Cameron Mitchell is here in support, fitting the part of the crumpled police lieutenant very well. However, with all of the sex missing, leaving just a few scenes of nudity, it's a pointless exercise.

Scenes are introduced and build to a conclusion that's missing, so we skip to the next, and the cycle is repeated. Sure, IT'S CALLED MURDER, BABY has more plot than you normally find in a porn film, but that still means it has considerably less plot than you find in a normal film. John Leslie puts in a lot of hard work as the protagonist and the actresses (including Samantha Fox and Lisa De Leeuw) are quite vivacious, but at least in this version the whole thing is just one big waste of time.

Best Porno Ever!!!

[martben1 · 10/10 · 4 January 2007]

In the early 80's I worked for a Greek theater owner and learned to run the projector's...I only say this to qualify my comment. One of his places was a porn parlor and I worked there part time.

It's called murder baby is an edited version of the xxx movie Dixie Ray Hollywood Star. Anyone that takes the time to look up any of the actor's besides Cameron Mitchell will learn that they were pretty much the hottest porn stars and starlets of that time. Of all the porn I saw working in the biz that was and to me still is the best porno flick ever. I'm kinda biased though because I love the 40's noir genre, but all in all it was great for what it was. Hardcore XXX with a real storyline.

Tasty World War II era-set hardcore noir winner

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 14 April 2015]

Lusty private detective Nick Popodopolis (an excellent performance by John Leslie) finds himself embroiled in a complex murder plot after he agrees to take on a case involving former major Hollywood cinema siren Dixie Ray (voluptuous redhead Lisa De Leeuw in fine deceitful, yet still tantalizing form). Nick relates the whole sordid affair to a boozy police lieutenant (a marvelously weary portrayal by Cameron Mitchell).

Director Anthony Spinelli does a masterful job of crafting a flavorsome 1940's period setting while keeping the engrossing story moving along at a steady pace. The smoldering presences of several sumptuous Golden Age favorites provides extra sizzle: Juliet Anderson as brash and predatory bisexual Adrian, Kelly Nichols as Dixie's lascivious estranged daughter Leslie, Hillary Summers as Nick's horny and insatiable secretary Carol, and Veronica Hart as saucy moll Sherry. Moreover, the raunchy dialogue and hot sex scenes ensure that this honey delivers the scorching goods, with the strenuous lovemaking session between Leslie and Nichols rating as a definite arousing highlight. The sets, costumes, and vintage automobiles are all quite impressively lavish. The convoluted script by Dean Rogers offers a few neat twists and turns. The crisp cinematography by Fred Andes and Daryll M. Keene's supremely smooth jazz score both further enhance the overall sterling quality of this superior outing.

One of the best shot on 35mm Porn Films of the early 80's

[mmcgee282 · 8 March 2016]

I had gotten this way back in the early 80's by mail order on VHS by Caballero video ,which I still got.then later when decide to get the DVD up grade .I had bad luck with it.All three copies were defective .I gave up then.Then recently I discovered that Vinegar Syndrome came out with a restored version,From the original 35mm element.It was cropped from it's original 1:33.1 ratio, a lot of adult theater did not have wide screen ,but, the traditional smaller screens with mono sound equipment, to 1:85.1.This meant some part were cropped out of the film,but it was not an annoyance.John Leslie is at his best in acting and sex performance as detective Nick Popodopolis.This handsome stud of a porn actor is actually the star of the film ,rather than the porn actresses, he acts with and has sex with.as part of the characters.This film is good for women and couples as well as men who like strong plot porn.This come close to an independent mainstream film with sex in it.Anthony Spinelli ,Jack Weston's Brother directed this Hot pot boiler. John is hire by Dixie ray played by Lisa Deleuw ,whom there was a rumor she dies on HIV aids as well as a rumor she still alive,claims that her ex husband is black mailing her for money through her sexy photos she posed in parties and she is trying to make a come back.In truth is a trick to steal her ex husbands money and confused Nick with women.Juliet Anderson, as Dixie secretary,is enthusiastic in her seducing performance to John Leslie the best sex scenes is with Veronica Hart and Samantha Fox ,not to be confused with The rock singer.It take place in 43 and the hair styles and costumes are a curate ,for an adult movie,The ex husband Charles T. Barclay is played by Billy Thornberg ,who played the ex husband, even though he is an experience actor his character is weak.Mainstream family oriented film actor Cameron Mitchell,of Gorilla at large 3D fame ,is the detective suspicious of John Murdering Juliet out of pure meanness.His acting and character is strong,but his assistant,played by John F.Gof,even though he to is experience actor his character is not strong.Kelly Nichols is excellent as Dixie rays Daughter,18 year old daughter that is, of Dixie.She reminds you of Vida in Mildred Pierce.Steve Marlow's role as Tony was excellent.The brutal scene against John Leslie by Sam Baldwin and Chuck Dawson,performance was good too.Hillery Summer ,who played johns secretary was good in playing a Marilyn Monroe type.Her sexual performance was also great that scene where when pose too john Leslie in a sexy way as he is on the phone.The only problem id the last sex scene ,the four way between Kevin James Lisa and Juliet and Phaery Bird .Even though it was hot.It actually slow down the ending just to finish the scene that was interrupted by Tony Lamar and Nick Popdopolis .What was about that scene that reveal the murder? Well all in all this i a great porn classic.Still sold by Caballero control and now Vinegar Syndrome with an r rated version re titled ,It's called murder baby. 03/09/16