It’s sexy sequel time, and Dave is keen to discover if Gary Graver can replicate the brilliance of one of his finest XXX works.

Of the sequels to his XXX work that Gary Graver himself directed, ECSTASY GIRLS TWO pips Suzie Superstar II (1985) in terms of quality, continuity, and enjoyment. Having said that, it’s certainly one of the weakest of the ten collaborations between Graver and producer Ted Paramore (aka Harold Lime), irrespective of the five AVN nominations it bagged.

The supreme sight of John Alderman – back as white suited schemer J.C. Church – opens Ecstasy Girls Two, and unsurprisingly he’s busy plotting financial gain. After attempting to sabotage the last will and testament of his puritanical brother in the original movie, we discover that the wishes of old Edgar Church are still in abeyance owing to a missing heir, Laura (Heather Wayne). Everyone is prevented from cashing in on the will until she’s found, so with J.C. deep in debt to a loan shark (Troy Tanier), he decides there’s no option left but to secure the services of our beloved thespian gigolo once again, Jerry Martin (Jamie Gillis). With his entertainment industry buddies, George (John Leslie) and Archie (Paul Thomas), in tow, the three lotharios are then let loose on L.A. in a bid to find the elusive Ms. Church.

After a six year gap between films, it was quite the coup for Paramore to be able to reunite Graver with his four leading men – and it’s an absolute joy to see the gang, the cream of the Golden Age, back together, returning to the same roles. There’s a few familiar faces behind the scenes too, namely Graver’s good buddy and occasional hardcore filmmaker, R. Michael Stringer. Ultimately, though, the stark difference between filming in 1979 as opposed to 1985 is money, meaning the primary shortcoming of Ecstasy Girls Two is the lack of opulence when – inevitably – compared to the luxurious nature of its predecessor.

Everything feels a little rushed and a lopsided. Sex scenes in the first half are given space to breathe and build, but by the time the picture reaches its coital climax, the Gillis-centric coupling shoots its load prematurely. It’s a similar scenario with the dialogue. Relaxed and well-written early on, but come the final scene and big reveal, it’s reminiscent of a soap opera.

Nevertheless, there’s plentiful cause for admiration. J.C.’s sprawling mansion is the recognisable surroundings of 4952 Vanalden Avenue, which was Sybil Danning’s pad in They’re Playing With Fire (1984) – an amusing caper with cinematography by you know who. Gillis, as always, is the epitome of cool and a Rolls Royce of a performer. It’s wonderful to see him in a Graver film as they didn’t collaborate as often as you’d expect. There’s also a sprinkling of fine performances from some of the new additions to the cast, notably Wayne as the main character; Kari Foxx as Archie’s wife, Donna; a cameo from Veronica Hart (who, of course, dated Paramore); and Joanna Storm as the mononymous Ecstasy.

Interesting to note that Storm received top (and sometimes solo) billing in the press for the film’s theatrical run despite having no major scenes until the final third. Speaking of the Ecstasy Girls Two‘s cinema stint, it was October ’86 when Graver’s fornicating follow-up made its bow, kicking off with the Pussycat Theatre in San Bernardino before heading to Fresno, Philadelphia, and Wilmington.

USA ● 1985 ● Adult ● 82mins

Heather Wayne, Joanna Storm, Jamie Gillis, John Leslie, Paul Thomas, John Alderman, Veronica Hart ● Dir. Gary Graver (as ‘Robert McCallum’) ● Wri. Harold Lime Sr., Harold Lime Jr.