“cute, well-hung sailors are on shore leave; no dialogue, just overdubbed music.” (me, when I sold a copy back in 2002, Midnight Men version – ugh – but I think it was a rare complete film) Hard to believe this was from 1982, seems earlier, but then again, I don’t think Michael Christopher was doing films until 1982, right (5 films that year)?
Shore Leave (1982) Director: Scott Masters; NOVA FILMS NV1037
Starring: Michael Christopher , Tim Manning, Hal Ross, Rick Saxon, Andy Fuller, Dan Bradford, Mike Dean, Todd Allen
- scene 1: desk clerk shows 2 sailors to their room, stays for awhile
- scene 2: bellboy is called for room service
- scene 3: guitarist Andy Fuller entertains a sailor fan
- scene 4: 2 sailors are joined by the desk clerk and sailor Michael Christopher; soon 2 more join in.
This is that final scene: Six in a Bed – I know Michael Christopher getting topped isn’t that unusual, but here’s another example.
edit/update: somehow I missed YorjYefferson’s VintageGayVids review
10 replies on “Shore Leave – Six in a Bed”
Shore Leave (Nova 1982) came out the same year as Tony’s Initation (Le Salon) & Skin Deep (Laguna Pacific); therefore, Christopher showed his versatility in all these films. It was not until Lancer Brooks (DeSimone) Skin Deep did Michael Christopher get a starring role in multiple scenes. Gayracula was released a year later.
Although not the best actor, Michael Christopher makes up for it in believability. Shore Leave doesn’t have any dialogue. Nova put dialogue in films just before it was shut down.
First of all, Tim Manning who I guess only made this one film. I think I’ve seen the pics in the magazine attributed to him, Tommy Wilde & Friends because that internet archive uploader with all the older mags must have had that one somewhere in his collection. Hope you can see this, I took a few face pics of him from this film and uploaded it to imgur a while ago just because I thought he was hot. And had little other mention anywhere:
https://i.imgur.com/jhbKlS6.jpg
Secondly, my review for Shore Leave which is also a few years old at this point, and was what prompted me to put those pics of Tim together:
https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageGayVids/comments/q7qv56/shore_leave_nova_films_1982/
And finally, the songs heard in Shore Leave are wall to wall Costello Presley, all of which are on my playlist of his music. Starts out with ‘Cruise On Lady’ which was the assumed title by that Jimmy Michaels guy (the one who remastered the original Costello songs and sent them to me, and who also thought Make Love To Me was They Lied To Me if you remember that). That song plays until 8:10 or so in your clip when Sunday Drive plays twice; then at 14:15 it becomes Don’t Stop:
https://soundcloud.com/user-927775001-435453740/sets/costello-presley
One of the reasons I think Costello’s music made so many people groan, is that the films that used them (whether Higgins titles where Costello was credited or else films like Shore Leave, Good Time Coming etc. that just lifted them without crediting the musician) would loop the same songs endlessly. So especially when they were heard in movies without dialogue or live sound it just became an annoyance. I know long ago you formed the opinion that you hate Make Love To Me and always assumed this is the reason why, not that it’s a bad song so much as you sit there, dick in hand and go ugh, not this repetitive song *again!*
How were they able to recycle the Costello Presley songs in the Nova films? Costello Presley had some kind of contract with Laguna Pacific/Catalina since most were for one company.
Robert Walters (Scott Masters) had only one Nova title with Laguna Pacific/Catalina, Boys Town (1985) just before Scott Masters took over Catalina from William Higgins. Higgins would sell Catalina after 1990 then Laguna Pacific is rebranded as Catalina Video.
The same way so many porn films were able to use music by Donna Summer, Pink Floyd, Jean-Luc Ponty and anybody else – they basically just stole it. Or ‘borrowed’ if you’re feeling generous. In addition to Shore Leave, How I Got The Story had most of the same soundtrack, so did Dormitory Daze / The Invitation and Good Times Coming (and probably other films). A few early Higgins films credited Costello for these tunes, Members Only and These Bases Are Loaded are two of the earliest examples. But then other companies just swiped it and used the music without crediting Costello or anybody else. And it wasn’t until later in the 80s that the big music labels started pushing back about the famous music heard which started to bring that period to an end.
By the time of Cousins, French Lt.’s Boys, Young & the Hung and the others from 83-86 or so Costello was making complete and original soundtracks for each movie, occasionally borrowing from himself and using the music again later. And those were swiped far less often than the original tunes so he (Higgins) must have sent out a notice that the music compositions belonged to Costello and him, and he would protect the rights to them. A retrospective of Costello’s music and detailed expansion of his output is long overdue, there were rumors that one was coming but nothing has materialized yet.
William Higgins used Michael Shadow who used acoustic guitar driven music then switched to Costello Presley for most of the William Higgins directed features; Presley is the opposite Shadow using his own samples & electronic based music. Presley would write new material from his already released songs to create new ones, utilizing the previous songs or song pieces as samples. This is common for most musicians.
now who’s the desk clerk? bad photo but so cute in motion
Todd Allen
Most Nova Studio models did not go beyond the one studio; there are a few numerous exceptions such as Michael Christopher, Rick Donovan, etc al.
#5 – Oy, BJ – honestly! Did you really have to include this image of him; lying down, showing his nostrils, with his mouth open? As you’ve said before, it’s so “unforgiving”! I only wish I could have advised him, on how he should be carefully photographed. From certain angles, the camera shouldn’t get too close. Otherwise, his big moon face; can seem rather piggish. : /
Yet ironically, the first and last picture on this post; proves he can look handsome and sensual – from the same source! After all, he does have arched eyebrows, long lashes, dimples, and a cleft chin! I can’t help feeling protective, of this big lug! I only want the best for him! : )
In “Big Horn Peak”, there isn’t a sequence of him, where he doesn’t look great! No surprise, it’s my favorite of his films! I strongly suspect that “Shore Leave”, was his first film. Surprisingly, he doesn’t get any star treatment here. In his only money scene, he has to share screen time, with five other guys!
What a contrast from his other Nova loop, “How I Got the Story (1982)”.
Then again, MC was always a team player – the total opposite of a “prima donna”! William Higgins said he was a sweetheart, and I believe him! He was perfectly willing to blend in. In some films, he’s only on for a single scene. Right from the start, he was versatile, affectionate, and sensual – no fanfare needed!
His relaxed, casual manner is one of the many things, which make him so appealing! No doubt, being from Michigan; made him modest and low key. I can’t picture him being trendy, or going to a circuit party.
As I’ve said before, he’s able to exude supreme, masculine confidence, without any ego! He’s very much, a “dude”, a “bro”, a “bloke”, a “fella”! I love the dichotomy of him being both larger than life, yet at the same time, accessible.
And what a powerful presence! Within the frenzy, of the crowded “Class Reunion (1983)”, you’re still able to identify him quite easily, even at a long distance!
Now, I’ll admit. I initially, wasn’t smitten with him. His gnarled, facial features, DO take a little getting used to. I know it took you a while, to warm up to him. But he quickly has a way, of growing on you!
He really worked hard to woo me. The process was gradual. The more I saw him, the more I came to love him. To the point, of adoration! It surprised even ME, how he became one of my absolute favorites – The Unlikely Porn Divo!
TO BE CONTINUED:
CONTINUED:
He’s probably the one porn star, whose work; I’m most familiar with. On average, I think I saw most of his films, three or four times! Let me explain! LOL!
The Century Theater on Hollywood Blvd. would always have a double feature – a premiere porn film, with a second, older one – sometimes from the early ‘70s. This program would also include “Coming (Cumming) Attractions”! You got a lot of bang, for your buck – pun intended! : P
Christopher’s films would first premiere there, and then come back a little later, as a second feature. His films were also among the first, to be released on video. The Vista on Sunset Blvd. and the Nuart on Wilshire Blvd., were revival theaters, which would sometimes show gay porn, on a single night.
I always went, even if I’ve seen the movies before. Being in a theater packed with queers, is so much fun – festive! I distinctly remember seeing the MC films, directed by William Higgins!
Most of his films are worth seeing. A number of them; became vintage classics! Within the short time he was in the spotlight (1982-1985), he was pretty ubiquitous! Yet he didn’t overstay his welcome! He bowed out, rather gracefully.
With the advent of video, the performers became more attractive. I wonder if he left, because he knew he wouldn’t be as in-demand. Or maybe, it was because of the A.I.D.S. crisis. One of his last credits was a safe sex video.
His fans far outnumber his detractors. BJ honey, I love that so many of your readers; “get” him!
Let me thank all of them! But I want to single out two!
I hope this isn’t too late, and that both of them, can still read this!
I know that “MCFan”; isn’t talking about MC Hammer:
“Yes, it is I,MCFan, who is the biggest Michael Christopher fan in the world! (I think?) If anyone claims to be bigger, I am willing to cage fight him for the title.” : D
Wow, what passion! Maybe I shouldn’t, accept his offer! He might “hammer” me! Get it? Hey, I thought it was funny! : )
I’m sometimes careless and absent minded. I really should have thanked “Quiet Smoke”, for the kind words he made about my replies, regarding Michael. Where were my manners, on Nov. 26, 2023?
https://www.bjland.ws/wordpress/2017/11/28/michael-christopher-3/
Okay, I better wrap this up! MC always gets me started! Thank you BJ honey, for letting me bloviate about my beloved, Michael Christopher! You know it won’t be the last time! : )
; )
Hi! I always love to hear from fellow Michael Christopher fans.
First things first, someone uploaded a 1080p HD upscale of Shore Leave to boyfriendtv dot com, and I highly recommend it. In the scene with the desk clerk, where MC is fully clothed, he looks probably the handsomest I’ve ever seen him look. You HAVE to check it out.
In other news, I designed a T shirt a couple years ago using a picture from an all-color magazine featuring him. I can’t remember the photo shoot it’s from—perhaps the one where he’s lying outside on a private walkway outside a house, masturbating to completion? He’s wearing a white tank top. Anyway, I just cropped the image of his face, his lips slightly parted, and used a software program to make an orange ring around the image of him, so it’s circular and looks 70s/early80s-vintage. No one has ever asked me who’s on my shirt when I wear it. Thank god. Although I live in NYC, where anything goes (theoretically), so I shouldn’t be embarrassed.
Lastly, if you haven’t already, be sure to pick up the Blu-ray of Juice, which came out… maybe 2 years ago now? It’s beautiful. I do believe Pleasure Beach is also coming to Blu-ray.