Dixie Ray Hollywood Star (Vinegar Syndrome) Review

Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic (1980s Shot on Film), Feature Film, Thriller, Suspense Also known as: It's Called “Murder,” Baby Run Time: 101 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1983 Director: Sam Weston (as Anthony Spinelli) Written by: Dean Rogers (screenplay and story), Steven Flagg (story) Director of Photography: Fred Andes Cast: John Leslie, Juliet Anderson, Veronica Hart, Kelly Nichols, Samantha Fox (as Sammatha Fox and Sammatua Fox), Cameron Mitchell, Lisa De Leeuw, John F. Goff (as Tom Reece), Steve Marlow, Sam Baldoni, Chuck Dawson, Chris Warfield, Hillary Summers, Buck Kartalian, Sam Weston, Robert Mayo, Walter Hill, Elizabeth Carothers, Phaery I. Burd, Kevin James, George “Buck” Flower Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.85:1 (anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star is a well-done adult film noir film to come from Anthony Spinelli. After finding a dead body in his office, private investigator Nick Popodopolis (John Leslie) explains to the police lieutenant (Cameron Mitchell) and his partner Harry (John F. Goff) about his case where he had been hired by Dixie (Lisa De Leeuw) after her estranged husband Charles T. Barclay (Chris Warfield) started blackmailing her over some photos.

Spinelli has done a good job with the film. Dixie Ray Hollywood Star is a fun whodunit. The script and plot are well done and will keep the viewer entertained when there isn't any sex happening on the screen. The plot is well developed and, even better, the characters are well developed as well. The film is period appropriate as well. Dixie Ray Hollywood Star takes place in 1943 and the make-up, costuming, props, and vehicles all look right.

Mitchell does a good job and seems out of place in an adult film. Reportedly he didn't know Dixie Ray Hollywood Star was going to be a hardcore film until after his scenes were shot. Leslie does a great job in his role as does De Leeuw as the titular role. The supporting cast does a great job as well. The sex scenes are short, well done, and fit in with the flow of the plot so they don't seem out of place, nor do they pull you from the film.

All in all, Dixie Ray Hollywood Star is a well-done adult whodunit which should definitely be seen by fans of feature films.

Vinegar Syndrome has done an excellent job with their release of Dixie Ray Hollywood Star. Dixie Ray Hollywood Star is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The transfer contains grain, print damage, and artifacts. The color representation looks good although the picture can be a little murky at times. Honestly the film looks good here.

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural track, which works well for the film. Dialog is clear and easy to hear at all times. There was no damage to the audio track that was detectable.

Vinegar Syndrome hasn't included many extras however one of them certainly makes up for that. It's Called “Murder,” Baby, the R-rated cut of the film — which runs for 94 minutes — is included on the disc. Unlike some softcore versions of hardcore films where the sex is just trimmed out, this is an alternate version of the film. The theatrical trailer is also included on the disc.

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star is a fun whodunit adult film noir with an enjoyable story, good acting, and well done sex scenes. Vinegar Syndrome has done a great job with this release with a nice transfer and the inclusion of the softcore version of the film.

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