The Stud (1979)

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Oliver Tobias plays Tony Blake; plaything to the wealthy ladies of the decadent London disco club scene. Tony is a working class guy, trying to climb the ladder of fortune and success, by using his sexy looks and charm. Unfortunately the hustler is no match for female hustler, lady-shark Fontaine Khalad, played to perfection by Joan Collins. And when Tony begins to have real romantic feelings for Fontaine's teenage stepdaughter, it's the beginning of the end for our anti-hero. "The Stud" is an amazing time capsule, a vivid documentation of a decadent decade where disco and drugs were King. Surprisingly atmospheric, as well as effectively seedy and depressing, but it really has a heart when it comes to showing the rise and fall of Tony Blake. He is the perfect British "working class hero," who turns out to be more noble than any of the high society people that feed on him and throw him to the wolves. This is no "Boogie Nights," or "54," it is the real deal. The soundtrack is impressive, and it is a wonder how they got permission to use all these very popular songs for the production; this movie was apparently a very big deal at the time, and a big hit too. Collins is wonderful in her role as the jaded, two-timing bitch, but it is Oliver Tobias who gives this film it's soul. Followed by a sequel, "The Bitch," but this is by far the better film. Recommended for fans of 70's exploitation films. For those who believe the 70's were a happy and innocent time, see "The Stud." It really shatters that myth..

Far from it, ten times more people were into disco and this film is probably a better reflection of the late 70s than Jubilee, with its Britain is finished, let's celebrate all that's grotty and rotten about the country. After all, where would you rather be, in some smashed up slum in punk gear, or down some high class disco being seduced by Joan Collins, what we would nowadays call a classy MILF. I am sure millions who attended their local Roxy every Saturday imagined they were in Hobos and flocked to their local fleapit to see what proved to be Joan Collins comeback after such dross as Empire of the Ants. Also the soundtrack, about the best thing about The Stud, sold in huge numbers.However, the film is complete schlock and little better than other soft porn of the period. It does have a sort of so bad it's good feel to it, but is a rather sleazy, dull film that has dated badly. I know as a seventies nostalgist I would watch it if it was on, if only for the music, but I would give The Stud one look and then put it back in its case as the acting is hammy and the plot is threadbare.

Artistically this film probably deserves its average 2-3 out of 10 rating on IMDb, but to watch it for artistic reasons is a mistake. This is a film that simply went out to make as much money as possible and in that respect it was a big (and rare UK) success. So while the much mocked health spa/ swimming pool orgy scene is unarguably pure hokum, its purpose was simply to get film goers talking about all the raunchy scenes, as was the sex in the lift scene. Other great word of mouth devices are using the hugely popular (among men of a certain age) Pans People/ Legs & Co in the dancing scenes and cashing in on the disco craze. Simply as a fan of cinema these devices are of great interest. To top it all there is a surprisingly good film poster for a film supposedly of no artistic merit. After watching it after all these years (too young at the time) I am impressed that the rather pathetic British film industry of this time was capable of making such a venal and direct money spinner.

I can't pretend otherwise, I've always loved this film and it's one of my guilty pleasures for a rainy afternoon, or more likely a night in with a few drinks.It's astoundingly dreary looking: apart from Joan's soft focus entrance there is precious little opulence on display. The film is low-lit and rather seedy looking. The opening credits sequence remarkably switches from day to night and back again! But right from the start, when the incredibly beautiful Felicity departs after a night with Tony, and then the sequence of him dressing and going out to the sound of the irresistible theme tune (watch Oliver Tobias trying to say "you handsome bastard" tro himself as quietly as possible!), this is a classic quotealong movie. Some of the one liners are great: "they ask for comics and a bag of sweets you give 'em penthouse and amyl nitrate" and best of all "there are two sorts of women in this world. The first sort pick you up and screw you, the second sort pick your brains and screw you up." It's rubbish of course, but however good it may or may not be its about the disco scene and shagging so it will always be seen in that way.Whatever happened to the director? Oliver Tobias is rather underused in the film it must be said: he doesn't have much to do and is rather overshadowed by super-bitch Fontaine. But the soundtrack is great, and the film is fun. And the scenes with Tony and his pals are the best in the movie. Those three deserved a series! But why does Ben return the video to Fontaine? Surely he'll need it as evidence?