HOME

 



Alex deRenzy probably ranks as porn's top filmmaker.

In 1968, the former photographer for the Gordon News Service in San Francisco and craps dealer in Reno, was 33 years old and handsome, with long blonde hair pulled back into a pony tail and a Fu Manchu mustache. He had a deeply scarred face and walked with a limp, the result of a motorcycle race up a steep hill in San Francisco that ended when he crashed into a car that had stopped in an intersection.

DeRenzy later told friends that he liked the scars on his face because before the accident he looked too pretty. A loner, Alex lived in his hillside estate in Marin with a couple of women and several of his children from a previous marriage.

According to Alex's younger brother, Alex had a Ph.D. in zoology before becoming an Air Force pilot. After the military service, he purchased a US Navy warship, a minesweeper, and proceeded to sail around the world with a group of family and friends and himself as Captain, until Interpol (international police) intervened. (BNI 7/01)

To compete with deRenzy's Screening Room and Pickett's Sutter Cinema, the Mitchell brothers opened the O'Farrell and began showing "beaver" films - endless reels of women masturbating with their fingers or pulling their labia apart to reveal huge on-screen vulvas and deep vaginal tunnels.

"If the cops hadn't bothered us," says Jim Mitchell, "we probably wouldn't have gotten into stories. The purest form of titillation is the single girl automasturbation film...and the beaver film was a truer form for getting off on some autoerotic fantasy. When it opened up and you added f---ing, you had to show the man and you covered up the girl.... It disrupted the autoerotic trend of sex films. It was boring because all anyone wanted to see was the close-up penetration shots."

Aging beatnik Lowell Pickett tried to eliminate the external cum shots but people stopped showing his films because while they were funnier and more dramatically developed, they violated pornographic convention.

As Jim Mitchell was fond of saying, "The only Art in this business is my brother."

By early 1969, San Francisco hosted two dozen theaters showing beaver films and nobody objected except Diane Feinstein, a candidate for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and leader of a band of anti-porn crusaders.

"What distinguishes San Francisco from any place else is the style with which porn is marketed, its practitioners' attitude toward it and the tolerance most square citizens display concerning the whole question," writes the New York Times Magazine in a January 1971 article called "The Porn Capital of America."

"The flourishing underground press in San Francisco all share the idea that porn, even at its sleaziest and most bizarre, is an important and healthily revolutionary ingredient of the new culture."

San Franciscan Alex deRenzy and a partner traveled to Copenhagen to film Denmark's first sex fair and in 1969 they released the first feature film showing sexual intercourse - Censorship in Denmark. Made for $15,000, the documentary grossed $25,000 the first week on its way to an eventual box office of over $2 million.

DeRenzy then gathered classic stags into A History of the Blue Movie followed by Bill Osco's inferior Hollywood Blue.

In an artistic rut and a financial hole, deRenzy poured out psuedo-documentaries for several years, fruitlessly trying to recreate the success of Censorship in Denmark.

"Pioneer deRenzy is that rare porn director who brings class, sensitivity and personal style to every project he undertakes," states Adam Film World (7/87). Alex created well-shot well-cut movies dealing with the subtle psychology of eroticism.

Alex produced, directed and wrote 1974's Fantasy Girls starring Sharon Thorpe, Jamie Gillis, Lessie Lynn, Joey Silvera (first feature appearance), Bonnie Holiday and Stella Scot. The story centers on a massage parlor and the adventures of the female employees and their customers.

Jim Holliday uses deRenzy's 1975 film The Pleasure Masters as the classic test for determining whether or not you like porn. "This is 'General American Porn' just as your newscasters speak General American Speech. You are either a porn fan or a yoyo that watches but can't appreciate quality sex." This elaborate loop features a domestic bedroom threeway between Joey Silvera, Kikko and Crystal Lil with a subtle lesson on the dangers of stereotyping.

Pleasure Masters, 1976, spotlights deRenzy's fascination with the past. A lavish costume piece set 100 years ago in a plush bordello, the picture presents an evening of uninhibited revels, including one of deRenzy's trademark group numbers. (AFW)

Parochial Passion Princess, a loop, features a plaid-skirted schoolgirl played by a San Francisco hippie with hair under her arms. The short frequently played on the same bill as deRenzy features. It's available on tape in The Best of Alex DeRenzy.

Jim Holliday includes Femmes de Sade among his 1986 list of the ten most underrated adult movies: "Anti-porn idiots who speak from the heart rather than the head claim porn has become more violent, more explicit and more demeaning to women. Yet any fool can see that adult films and videos have been heavily self-censored by the adult film industry to conform with society's guidelines. Case in point - this classic from Alex deRenzy. Censorship shears have been used to 'tone down' something I don't think needs to be toned down." (AVN)

Joey Silvera plays a young fellow released from San Quentin prison into the arms of girlfriend Abigail Clayton. An acquaintance, Ken Turner, tags along and is soon not satisfied with waiting in the car while Silvera and Clayton f---.

"The premise moves to the hip San Francisco sex culture where Rocky de Sade (Turner) continues to terrorize the citizenry. The plot is little more than a thread for sex scenes, but what incredible sex scenes they are. The Lesllie Bovee engine room boiler scene was rated among the best ever by four famous filmmakers." (Holliday)

Alex directed 1977's Baby Face which features Otis Sistrunk, a former Oakland Raider Super Bowl star. A 15-year old nymphet seduces lead Dan Roberts and is caught an hour-and-a-half later by Momma, who tries to castrate him for defiling her daughter.

"Bursting with erotic intensity and variety, this deRenzy gem features a ten-man gangbang of Kristine Heller that begins with anal sex." (Rimmer)

Baby Face II: "Ten years after he made the classic Baby Face, deRenzy is back with another big winner. The first one included a long scene with Kristine Heller that may be the best gang bang ever put on put on film. And in the new one, we have a strong contender for the best orgy on screen. The scene takes you by surprise; after

several episodes marked by naturalness, humor and good sex, Baby Face II suddenly explodes in a wondrous display of rich eroticism, furious energy and consummate filmmaking skill."(AFW 7/87)

Alex deRenzy's ability with comedy shows in the Pretty Peaches series. Desiree Cousteau won a Best Actress Award in the original 1979 flick "playing a female Candide...everyone's victim," writes Bob Rimmer. "But she is so happy-go-lucky that her misfortunes never affect her. After her jeep collides with a tree, she's flipped onto the ground. Unconscious, she's revived by a penis. After that her memory is suddenly lost and to recover it she gets the most detailed enema you've ever seen. Desiree is so naive that most men will want to play Big Daddy with her."(X-Rated Videotape Guide, p. 121-122)

Juliet Anderson and Sharon Kane made their first feature appearances in Peaches which deRenzy regards as his best all-round production.

Wild Things appeared in 1985 and its sequel in 1986. Wild Things II is "another collection of vignettes with Charm-Silvera generating heat; Joanna Storm brewing up carnal thunderclouds; Amber Lynn swallowing major schlong from Dick Rambone [who has a 15-inch cock]; and a threeway pussy pile-up that will have you craning your neck." (AFW 96D p.274)

Dr. Penetration, 1986, spoofs Rocky Horror and Dr. Strangelove. "Works due to inspired performances, nonstop f---ing, and the combination of deRenzy and the Dark Brothers. Dick Rambone is one of the big moments of this riotous piece of raunch." (AFW D p.255)

Let's Get it on With Amber Lynn appeared in 1987. "A throwaway plot places Amber in the erotic middle of an epic deRenzy loop carrier. Winner of XRCO awards for Best Kinky, Lesbian and Triad Sex Scenes." (AFW D. p.259)

Pretty Peaches 2. "This wacky story of a girl's coming of age was voted best film of 1987 for its fresh and lively plot and blistering sex scenes." (AFW 96D p.264)

Pretty Peaches 3 appeared in 1989. "Keisha is Peaches in this edition of Alex deRenzy's look at the coming of age of a sexually innocent young woman who is eager to catch up ... A wondrous assortment of fantasy and reality sexplay spark a continuity of carnality rarely found in recent porn. Alex deRenzy's eye for direction, photography and blistering heat, coupled with a first-rate script, career performances and plenty of varied sexing will keep you horny and interested from start to finish. Older women, lesbian scenes, preachers - all manner of themes and types are explored and used to further the story and the sex. Easily the best film deRenzy has made in years, and one of the best adult films ever." (AFW 96D p.264)

VCA released Angel Puss in 1988. "When Joey Silvera becomes hospitalized for poison oak on his hands, he enlists the aid of nurse Rene Morgan to relieve his aching member. Seriously hot and impeccably shot. DeRenzy at his finest." (AFW D p.247)

Adam Film World (AFW) gave 1989's The Big Thrill five stars. "Peter North works in a hair salon and accidentally switches a hair stimulant powder with the sugar and everyone who puts this stuff in their coffee can't get enough."(AFW D p.249)

Steamy Windows appeared in 1991. "Rachel Ryan stars in this tale about a female art gallery owner in search of fulfillment. Mistreated by the boy she loved in school (Spears), she goes through life using people for her sexual enjoyment, with little concern for their emotional state." (AFW D. p.270)

Ashlyn Gere and Victoria Paris play two sisters in love with the same man (Randy West) in 1992's Two Women. "When Victoria discovers her husband Randy is using a secret apartment to conduct an illicit affair with Ashlyn, and also to entertain the sexual frivolities of business associates, she decides to get a little closer to the situation, with surprising results.

"Director deRenzy crafts a wonderfully staged scenario where the sex scenes effortlessly take off and the viewer is drawn into one exciting encounter after another. Shot on Beta Cam, the look is candy-colored carnal perfection." (AFW D p.273)

Sierra stars in 1993's Slave to Love as a young woman who gives in to the control of Randy Spears to better her sex life and their relationship. Troubled by what he forces her to do, she confesses her sins to priest Jamie Gillis.

Switching from features to loops in 1992, Alex deRenzy churned out videos for Rosebud under the name Rex Borsky. The titles say it all. Anal Carnival, Anal Climax, Anal Coeds, Anal Delights, Anal Delinquent, Anal Ecstasy, Anal Girls, Anal Fury, Anal Inferno, Anal Innocence, Anal Lover, Anal Madness, Anal Savage, Anal Sensations, Anal Siege, Anal Sluts and Sweethearts, Anal Starlets, Anal Taboo, Anal Thrills, Anal Thunder, Anal Urge, Anal With An Oriental, Butt Sluts, Club Anal, Deep Cheeks, Easy Pussy, Gang Bang Nymphettes, Gang Bang Pussycats, Gangbang Facebath, Gangbang Wild Style, La Princessa Anal, Split Tail Lovers and Sweet Lips and Buns.

Alex deRenzy lives quietly in the San Francisco Bay Area, generally avoiding the porn scene.

Alex DeRenzy Dies

6/7/01

GeneRossExtreme.com reports: "Legendary XRCO Hall of Fame Director Alex deRenzy died at West Oaks Hospital 4 am this morning after suffering a stroke and diabetic attack a few days ago. deRenzy, who resided in San Francisco, suffered the stroke after coming to Los Angeles to work on a Devil's Films shoot. deRenzy got very sick during the shooting and one day did not show up on the set. He was found passed out in a hotel room. deRenzy had been on life support the last few days. deRenzy had also directed under the name Rex Borsky when he owned the company Rosebud which was subsequently sold to Pleasure Productions. deRenzy is perhaps best known for his films Pretty Peaches and Baby Face."

Richard Pacheco writes about Alex DeRenzy's funeral in the July 2001 issue of Batteries Not Included:

The memorial service for Alex deRenzy was conducted Saturday, June 16, at his home in Novato which speaks volumes about the man to begin with...the land, the pool, the comfortable house and patio, and his absolutely splendid, splendid gardens... They say he loved his gardens the most. It was where he landed after a hard day to regenerate himself before the return to the family.

Family was huge in his world...he had three of them...nine kids by three wives...and, of course, Kathryn made yet a fourth wife. The memorial service marked the first time that all nine of his kids had gathered under one roof.

[According to Alex's younger brother:] Alex had a Ph.D. in zoology before becoming an Air Force pilot. After the military service, he purchased a US Navy warship, a minesweeper, and proceeded to sail around the world with a group of family and friends and himself as Captain...until Interpol (international police) interveneted.