The Opening of Misty Beethoven
 Constance Money in The Opening of Misty Beethoven | ||
| Starring | Constance Money Jamie Gillis Jacqueline Beaudant Gloria Leonard Terri Hall | |
| Directed by | Radley Metzger (as Henry Paris) | |
| Produced by | Radley Metzger | |
| Written by | Jake Barns | |
| Editing by | Bonnie Karrin | |
| Music by | George Craig Gioacchino Rossini | |
| Cinematography | Robert Rochester | |
| Distributed by | Catalyst Productions Joy Bear Pictures | |
| Released |  March, 1976
| |
| Runtime | 86 min. | |
| Country | United States | |
| language | English | |
| IMDB Info | 0075018 on IMDb | |
The Opening of Misty Beethoven is an American hardcore pornography film released in 1975. Produced with a relatively high budget and filmed on elaborate locations in Italy and New York City with a musical score, it owes much to its fastidious director Radley Metzger (directing this film as Henry Paris). In an era in which pornography was just beginning to be widely released, most movies of that time were expected to have at least minimal plots. Misty's plot was more elaborate than most; it was based directly on the Pygmalion legend and, more recently, George Bernard Shaw's play of the same name, as well as the Broadway and Hollywood success My Fair Lady. It was also satirical, with many added comic touches and dialog designed for laughs.
The Opening of Misty Beethoven has the distinction of being the first widely-released porn movie to feature pegging, female-on-male anal sex via a strap-on dildo.
The leads were Constance Money (playing the title role), Jamie Gillis, Jacqueline Beaudant, and Gloria Leonard.
According to the DVD commentary, cinematographer Robert Rochester would later win an Academy Award, under a different name, for his work on a documentary he had filmed previously.
Synopsis
Seymour Love (Jamie Gillis) is a sexologist who believes that he can transform Misty Beethoven (Constance Money) a second-rate whore into the next Golden Rod Girl. Seymour with the help of his friend Geraldine (Jacqueline Beaudant) has to work at a feverish pace with Misty to have her ready for Lawrence Layman a vein magazine publisher's next high society party.
If you feel like you’re experiencing déjà vu while watching The Opening of Misty Beethoven the reason most likely would be because the film is loosely based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion which is known to a wider audience as My Fair Lady. Taking one of Hollywood's most beloved films ‘My Fair Lady’ and spicing it up for a more adult audience is pure genius. Most porn films suffer from little or no plot and the dialog is cringe-worthy horrible beyond description. Henry Paris besides being known for his exquisite direction his films are known for their witty dialog.
There are many great moments in this film like when Misty gets a man excited at the opera and he takes her into the bathroom. This scene features 'William Tell Overture' which perfectly emphasizes the immediacy of this moment. There is also some slick inter-cutting that goes on during this scene like when Seymour is getting head and he images how well Misty is doing. The scene appropriately ends with Seymour shouting ‘Blast off’ as he and the man in the bathroom stall both men climax. Another stand-out moment includes the reinstated ménage a trios’ between Constance Money, Ras Kean, and Gloria Leonard.
The acting in The Opening of Misty Beethoven is the best it has ever been in any Pornographic film, period. Jamie Gillis who usually plays heavies who like to get a little rough does a wonderful job portraying Seymour Love. The real star of the show of course is Constance Money as Misty Beethoven. She brings a sweetness and natural innocence that totally sells her in this role. Unfortunately, Constance Money would only make a handful of films before she would retire from the adult cinema with her performance as Misty Beethoven being her greatest achievement in her brief career. The supporting cast Jacqueline Beaudant, Terri Hall, Ras Kean, and Gloria Leonard are equally impressive in their roles.
The film’s soundtrack is an eclectic mix of library tracks that help set up and shape the mood of each scene. The score includes many notable selections, especially the use of classical music like the aforementioned 'William Tell Overture' and music from Italian cinema like Bruno Nicolai’s 'Thin Ice' from the film Teorema.
Though the Cinematography on The Opening of Misty Beethoven gets credited to someone named Robert Rochester. Which is actually a pseudonym for Paul Glickman, an academy award-winning cinematographer. Overall 'The Opening of Misty Beethoven' is a visual feast for the eyes that set the standards for adult cinema so high that no other film has come close to ever eclipsing its majesty.
Awards
Awards of the Adult Film Association of America:
- Best Actor (Jamie Gillis)
- Best Director (Henry Paris, aka Radley Metzger)
- Best Film
- 2002: Best Classic Release on DVD
Remake
In 2004, Misty Beethoven: The Musical, a musical remake, was released. It featured Sunset Thomas, rakelliekki.com, Julie Meadows, Asia Carrera, Chloe, Dave Cummings, Mike Horner, Evan Stone, and Tyce Bune. It was directed by Veronica Hart.
External links
- Review The Opening of Misty Beethoven at the Internet Movie Database
- A review with some photos
- 10K Bullets review
Chat rooms • What links here • Copyright info • Contact information • Category:Root