What makes a film legendary? The story? How about the director? Maybe it’s the cast. In More of a Man, all these combine to make a truly landmark film in gay porn history. Produced in 1990 from All Worlds Video, at long last Channel 1 Releasing is making this watershed feature available on DVD for the first time ever. In it, superstar performer Joey Stefano plays a working-class kid who is first discovered in a church desperately praying to be rid of “these weird, impure thoughts.” Precisely what these thoughts are, we soon discover when he goes to a bus station men’s room and encounters Michael Parks in one of the best glory-hole scenes ever committed to film. Afterward, despite Parks’ handsome looks and beach-buffed bod, horrified by what they just did, the deeply conflicted boy ends up punching Michael and storms out.

Immediately heading off to his favorite bar, he finds Chi Chi LaRue preparing for an audition. LaRue introduces Stefano to studly bartender Mike Henson, and, although the desire between them is obvious, once Joey’s suspicions about Henson’s sexual orientation are confirmed, he abruptly takes off. Then, perhaps to reassure himself of his masculinity, he visits a tattoo parlor run by Rick Donovan (yet another renowned figure in the XXX universe.) Leading the lad into the backroom of the studio, Donovan admits that working on tats always gives him a hard-on. (“I can always tell how good my work’s gonna be by how hard my dick feels,” he tells Joey, adding, “This one’s gonna be good.”) Just as soon as the work is completed, the pair gets on with the real business at hand – starting with a dual wank session until Rick’s stroking is replaced with Joey’s willing mouth.

Little by little, Stefano comes to accept his attraction to Henson and goes to Chi Chi’s opening at a gay club, where, not coincidentally, Mike is tending bar. Here, LaRue is equal parts Marlene Dietrich and Frank N. Furter, with a little bit of Tiny Tim thrown in as she sings the clever title number, which was written by none other than director Jerry Douglas. Also in the audience are Lonn Flexx and Chris McKenzie, who are so horny for one another, they strip off and get down and dirty right there at (and on top of) the bar! What occurs between these two dazzlers may not be the likeliest, but it sure is hot! In fact, Joey soon finds himself being worked on by Mathieu Rollins, until Flexx and McKenzie assist in his very public act of “coming out.”

The next day is West Hollywood’s big, annual Pride parade, and Mike asks Joey to ride along with him on a float the club is sponsoring. Preceded by plenty of footage from that years’ actual festival, as the parade gets underway, they go below and make love slowly and tenderly. Douglas also does a commendable job keeping all penetrations covered – a practice as remarkable as it was responsible, particularly for the time. He even makes it a specific point to show Stefano being told about the importance of safe sex as part of this final pairing: “Hand me rubber,” Mike tells him. “No,” Joey protests, “it’s against my religion.” “Well, it’s not against mine. Hand me a rubber!” Henson insists.

With the sharper definition that DVD allows, new viewers may find one slight setback lies in how the production was shot on standard video (as was most porn at the time) when compared to the cleaner, more cinematic digital video widely used today. However, the plot and those involved in it are so absorbing that doubtless many watching will find everything painstakingly close to the mark, regardless. Still another element that sets this apart are the numerous, unexpected and, at times, emotionally jarring touches that really demonstrate Douglas’ artistry as storyteller. One such instance, Chi Chi’s character is seen wistfully holding a photo of a small boy who is very probably the son “he” left behind. As for the money scenes, these too are definitely anything but “by the numbers”! Utilizing angles and pacing that are less staged and more natural, they always rock your jock in the juiciest places.

More of a Man set a new standard as to what gay porn could achieve and continues to influence similar releases to this day. Spend some time around veterans of the adult industry, and you’ll hear the same stories – this was one of those rare, you-had-to-be-there experiences. For more information, visit www.channel1releasing.com.

rating:

SHOOT THE MOON ****

All Worlds Video

Directed by Jerry Douglas

Starring: Joey Stefano, Mike Henson, Michael Parks, Butch Taylor, Rick Donovan, Lon Flexx, Chris McKenzie, Mathieu Rollins, Sharon Kane and a special appearance by Chi Chi LaRue