#quality x

When we first see Annie, she sits at a bar and tells us about herself. She shows us childhood pictures. This is not how porn movies normally start out. It’s charmingly disarming.

Deep Inside Annie Sprinkle is a feature-length fourth-wall break. “I love to play with men’s asses,” she tells us, coyly, as the camera pans to the left. There’s a “Well, that's funny, because I happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here” moment as Annie reveals Marc Valentine laying flat on the bed, waiting for some butt play. Every sequence is like this. And none of the scenes overstay their welcome (well, the womens’ orgy is a little too long). But they’re all hot and playful.

The photo shoot scene, which features Annie in blue skin-tight spandex pants, features real-life couple Buddy and Bunny Hatton. Bunny, as Misty Blue Simmes, went on to a wild wrestling career, holding many Championship titles in the women's league of the NWA. The Rialto Report did a fascinating interview with them back in 2020.

Golden age historians will enjoy Sprinkle’s exhibitionism scene at the Distribpix-owned Orleans Theatre on West 47th St. We meet her outside, explaining how much she loves watching herself on film. Lucky for her, there’s an Annie Sprinkle Film Festival going on inside. Once in the auditorium, she doesn’t stay anonymous very long, cozying up with Jake Teague, a very in-character Michael Gaunt, and some other guy. I wonder if the Orleans management cleaned up the joint a bit before the shoot.

(The Orleans was subject to a police raid for showing Behind the Green Door in July, 1972.)

Sprinkle’s earnestness shines throughout. At the end, she thanks the viewers. “I love you.” We love you too, Annie.

And as though this wasn’t already a very intimate experience, we’re treated to a post-credit sequence where she pops out from behind a tree and shares her mailing address. According to the liner note booklet included with the release, she spent several months replying to fan letters.

The new Quality X blu-ray features an archival 2008 commentary with Sprinkle, moderated by The Rialto Report’s Ashley West. Her recollections are impeccable, and she shares her thoughts on the AIDS crisis and the upcoming shift to video and the west coast, things that were looming as this film was being produced.

The whole thing is rooted in male fantasy and there are some rather nefarious moments (when the cop stalks Joy on the street, the ensuing scene on the staircase, and that whole thing with the revolver — basically any scene with a cop), but the satire is presented in such a charming and cartoony way that… it works?