The Last American Virgin
Encyclopedia
The Last American Virgin is a 1982 American coming-of-age film, a remake of the Israel
i film Eskimo Limon
(1978).
After the success of the original and several sequels, writer/director Boaz Davidson
re-teamed with producers Golan-Globus
to attempt to re-create the same success in the United States
. Davidson decided to change a few key elements from the original. Eskimo Limon was a nostalgia
film about kids growing up in 1950s Israel
— similar to George Lucas
's American Graffiti
, however the remake was set in then-present-day suburban Los Angeles
. The soundtrack was also updated from golden oldies to more contemporary New Wave rock
.
), a typical high school
student, and his friends Rick (Steve Antin
), the slick ladies' man, and David (Joe Rubbo), the "Belushi
-esque" comic relief.
Most of the plot involves their numerous attempts to have sex, which are usually successful for Rick and David, but never for Gary. Early in the film the three boys pick up three girls with the promise of cocaine
(instead they use Sweet'n Low
). They go over to Gary's house where he gets stuck with the homely and overweight Millie, a friend of the other two more attractive girls. But their party is intrupted when Gary's parents return home and pandemonium ensues.
Later in the film, a love triangle
develops between Gary, Rick and Karen (Diane Franklin
) a young transfer student to their school and who is a virgin that Rick becomes determined to deflower.
One day Gary delivers pizza
to Carmela (Louisa Moritz
), a sexy Latina woman whose sailor boyfriend is never home, and she tells him she wants more than just pizza. Being too afraid to follow up on it, he goes away and convinces his friends to go along with him. They drop by her home using the pretext they were nearby on a pizza delivery and decided to bring her over some extra pizzas. She lets them in, puts on music and performs a sexy dance routine, to the delight of the boys. She promptly fornicates with Rick and David, but her boyfriend Paco returns home just as Gary is about to have his turn, prompting them to flee.
Eventually, Rick gets Karen pregnant after they have sex only once, and he leaves her. Gary decides to help Karen pay for her abortion
by selling most of his possessions and borrowing money from his boss. After the abortion, Gary and Karen spend the remainder of the weekend alone together in Gary's grandmother's house. Whilst nursing her back to health, Gary tells Karen that he sincerely loves her. Karen appears to be reciprocal and they both share a tender kiss. Later, Karen invites Gary to her 18th birthday party the following week. Gary scrapes up a few more dollars and buys Karen a gold locket for her birthday.
However, when Gary arrives at the party, his dreams of a lasting romance with Karen are shattered when he sees Karen making out
with Rick. Despite of what Rick had put Karen through, she apparently decided to take him back. Gary angrily leaves the party without saying a word to either of them, taking Karen's gift with him. The film ends with the end credits rolling over a close-up of tears streaming down Gary's face as he drives home alone, emotionally broken and defeated.
Side 2
In addition to this, the film contains a compendium of other 1980s radio hits:
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i film Eskimo Limon
Eskimo Limon
Eskimo Limon is a 1978 Israeli cult film directed by Boaz Davidson which led to a series of sequels.- Original film :Eskimo Limon was first released on February 11, 1978, starring Yftach Katzur , Jonathan Sagall , Zachi Noy and Anat Atzmon...
(1978).
After the success of the original and several sequels, writer/director Boaz Davidson
Boaz Davidson
Boaz Davidson is an Israeli film director, producer and screenwriter. He was born in Tel Aviv, British Mandate of Palestine and studied film in London....
re-teamed with producers Golan-Globus
Golan-Globus
The Cannon Group Inc. was an American group of companies, including Cannon Films, which produced a distinctive line of low-to-medium budget films from 1967 to 1993...
to attempt to re-create the same success in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Davidson decided to change a few key elements from the original. Eskimo Limon was a nostalgia
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
film about kids growing up in 1950s Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
— similar to George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
's American Graffiti
American Graffiti
American Graffiti is a 1973 coming of age film co-written/directed by George Lucas starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips and Harrison Ford...
, however the remake was set in then-present-day suburban Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The soundtrack was also updated from golden oldies to more contemporary New Wave rock
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
.
Plot
The plot closely follows the original Israeli film Eskimo Limon, and revolves around protagonist Gary (Lawrence MonosonLawrence Monoson
Lawrence Monoson is an American film and television actor.His first film was the 1982 comedy The Last American Virgin, in which he starred as Gary. His other well known film roles are in the 1984 horror movie Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter as Ted, and the 1985 hit drama movie Mask as Ben...
), a typical high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
student, and his friends Rick (Steve Antin
Steve Antin
Steven Howard "Steve" Antin is an American actor, stunt man, screenwriter, producer, and director.-Early life:Antin was born in Queens, New York, the son of British Jewish immigrants...
), the slick ladies' man, and David (Joe Rubbo), the "Belushi
John Belushi
John Adam Belushi was an American comedian, actor, and musician, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, The Star of the Films National Lampoon's Animal House and the The Blues Brothers and for fronting the American blues and soul...
-esque" comic relief.
Most of the plot involves their numerous attempts to have sex, which are usually successful for Rick and David, but never for Gary. Early in the film the three boys pick up three girls with the promise of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
(instead they use Sweet'n Low
Sweet'N Low
Sweet'n Low is a brand of artificial sweetener from granulated saccharin, dextrose and cream of tartar. It was invented and first introduced in 1957 by Benjamin Eisenstadt and his son, Marvin Eisenstadt...
). They go over to Gary's house where he gets stuck with the homely and overweight Millie, a friend of the other two more attractive girls. But their party is intrupted when Gary's parents return home and pandemonium ensues.
Later in the film, a love triangle
Love triangle
A love triangle is usually a romantic relationship involving three people. While it can refer to two people independently romantically linked with a third, it usually implies that each of the three people has some kind of relationship to the other two...
develops between Gary, Rick and Karen (Diane Franklin
Diane Franklin
Diane Franklin is an American actress.Before she got into acting, Franklin appeared in TV commercials for Coca-Cola, Trident, Jell-O, and Maxwell House coffee. She has worn a distinctive curly hairstyle throughout her career. Her first film role was in the 1982 film The Last American Virgin as Karen...
) a young transfer student to their school and who is a virgin that Rick becomes determined to deflower.
One day Gary delivers pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
to Carmela (Louisa Moritz
Louisa Moritz
-Early life:Louisa Moritz was born Louisa Castro in Havana, Cuba and left Cuba during the upheaval of the 1950s, hiding on a ship and eventually making her way to New York City. She chose the stage last name of Moritz after seeing the Hotel St...
), a sexy Latina woman whose sailor boyfriend is never home, and she tells him she wants more than just pizza. Being too afraid to follow up on it, he goes away and convinces his friends to go along with him. They drop by her home using the pretext they were nearby on a pizza delivery and decided to bring her over some extra pizzas. She lets them in, puts on music and performs a sexy dance routine, to the delight of the boys. She promptly fornicates with Rick and David, but her boyfriend Paco returns home just as Gary is about to have his turn, prompting them to flee.
Eventually, Rick gets Karen pregnant after they have sex only once, and he leaves her. Gary decides to help Karen pay for her abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
by selling most of his possessions and borrowing money from his boss. After the abortion, Gary and Karen spend the remainder of the weekend alone together in Gary's grandmother's house. Whilst nursing her back to health, Gary tells Karen that he sincerely loves her. Karen appears to be reciprocal and they both share a tender kiss. Later, Karen invites Gary to her 18th birthday party the following week. Gary scrapes up a few more dollars and buys Karen a gold locket for her birthday.
However, when Gary arrives at the party, his dreams of a lasting romance with Karen are shattered when he sees Karen making out
Making out
In human sexuality, making out is a sexual euphemism of American origin dating back to at least 1949, and is used synonymously with the terms necking, heavy petting, and hooking up to refer to non-penetrative sex, though "hooking up" is also used in some cultures to imply casual sex.-History:The...
with Rick. Despite of what Rick had put Karen through, she apparently decided to take him back. Gary angrily leaves the party without saying a word to either of them, taking Karen's gift with him. The film ends with the end credits rolling over a close-up of tears streaming down Gary's face as he drives home alone, emotionally broken and defeated.
Cast
- Lawrence MonosonLawrence MonosonLawrence Monoson is an American film and television actor.His first film was the 1982 comedy The Last American Virgin, in which he starred as Gary. His other well known film roles are in the 1984 horror movie Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter as Ted, and the 1985 hit drama movie Mask as Ben...
as Gary - Diane FranklinDiane FranklinDiane Franklin is an American actress.Before she got into acting, Franklin appeared in TV commercials for Coca-Cola, Trident, Jell-O, and Maxwell House coffee. She has worn a distinctive curly hairstyle throughout her career. Her first film role was in the 1982 film The Last American Virgin as Karen...
as Karen - Steve AntinSteve AntinSteven Howard "Steve" Antin is an American actor, stunt man, screenwriter, producer, and director.-Early life:Antin was born in Queens, New York, the son of British Jewish immigrants...
as Rick - Joe Rubbo as David
- Louisa MoritzLouisa Moritz-Early life:Louisa Moritz was born Louisa Castro in Havana, Cuba and left Cuba during the upheaval of the 1950s, hiding on a ship and eventually making her way to New York City. She chose the stage last name of Moritz after seeing the Hotel St...
as Carmela - Brian Peck as Victor
- Kimmy RobertsonKimmy RobertsonKimmy Robertson is an American actress best known for her role as Lucy Moran in the TV series Twin Peaks. She was married to John Christian Walker from January 18, 2003 to September 27, 2004....
as Rose - Tessa RichardeTessa RichardeTessa Richarde is an American actress mainly cast as likable dumb blondes. She is probably best known as playing Miss Mitzi Fritts in Clint Eastwood's Bronco Billy and Malcolm McDowell's girlfriend in the remake of Cat People...
as Brenda - Harry BuginHarry BuginHarry Bugin was an American film, stage and television actor and musician.-Life and career:Born in the Bronx, New York City, the son of Isidore and Sadie Bugin,and brother to Ruth Bugin, he was a graduate of the New York Public School system and a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts...
as Doctor - Phil Rubenstein as Gino
Soundtrack
Side 1- "Teen Angel Eyes" - Tommy TutoneTommy TutoneTommy Tutone is a New Wave band, best known for its 1982 hit "867-5309/Jenny", which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although it is usually referred to as a San Francisco band, it was actually based in Willits, California, at the time that "Jenny" was released...
(3:30) - "De Do Do Do, De Da Da DaDe Do Do Do, De Da Da Da"De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" is a song by The Police, released as a single in December 1980. It was the second single from the album Zenyattà Mondatta and a top ten hit in the United Kingdom and the United States, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart and number ten on the Billboard Hot...
" - The PoliceThe PoliceThe Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
(4:07) - "Whip ItWhip It"Whip It" is the title of a 1980 single by the American New Wave band Devo. It appears on the album Freedom of Choice. There were two 7" single releases of "Whip It", one backed with a remix of the track "Snowball" and one backed with "Turn Around"...
" - DevoDevoDevo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
(2:38) - "When I Find You" - Phil SeymourPhil SeymourPhil Seymour was an American power pop drummer, singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known for the singles "I'm On Fire" and "Precious to Me". He had a major role in the seminal pop group Dwight Twilley Band...
(5:13) - "Better Luck Next Time" - Oingo BoingoOingo BoingoOingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
(3:30)
Side 2
- "Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?" - Gleaming SpiresGleaming SpiresGleaming Spires were a new wave pop group popular in the 1980s. Performing as Bates Motel they were enlisted by the Mael brothers to be a part of the 1981-1985 incarnation of their band, Sparks...
(4:00) - "Since You're GoneSince You're Gone"Since You're Gone" is a song by the American rock band The Cars. It appears on their third album, Shake It Up....
" - The CarsThe CarsThe Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
(3:30) - "I Know What Boys Like" - The WaitressesThe WaitressesThe Waitresses were an experimental new wave band from Akron, Ohio. The group was led by guitarist/songwriter Chris Butler with lead vocals performed by Patty Donahue.-Career:...
(3:14) - "Airwaves" - The Fortune Band (3:46)
- "I Will FollowI Will Follow"I Will Follow" is a song by rock band U2. It is the opening track from their debut album, Boy, and it was released as the album's second single, in October 1980. Bono wrote the lyrics to "I Will Follow" in tribute to his mother who died when he was 14 years old."I Will Follow" is the only song...
" - U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
(3:34)
In addition to this, the film contains a compendium of other 1980s radio hits:
- "Oh No" - The Commodores
- "Open ArmsOpen Arms (Journey song)"Open Arms" is a popular song originally recorded by American rock band Journey, and released as a single from their 1981 album, Escape. Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song is a power ballad whose lyrics are an empowering plea to a lover to forgive past wrongdoings...
" - JourneyJourney (band)Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded... - "Keep on Loving You" - REO SpeedwagonREO SpeedwagonREO Speedwagon is an American rock band. Formed in 1967, the band grew in popularity during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. Hi Infidelity is the group's most commercially successful album, selling over ten million copies and charting four Top 40 hits in the US...
- "Just Once" - James IngramJames IngramJames Ingram is an American soul musician. He is best known as a vocalist. He is also a self-taught musician who plays piano, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards...
- "That's the Way (I Like It)That's the Way (I Like It)"That's the Way " is a song written by H.W. Casey and Richard Finch, and recorded and released in 1975 by KC and the Sunshine Band for their eponymous second album...
" - KC and the Sunshine BandKC and the Sunshine BandKC and the Sunshine Band is an American musical group. Founded in 1973 in Miami, Florida, their style has included funk, R&B, and disco. Their most well known songs include the disco hits "That's the Way ", " Shake Your Booty", "I'm Your Boogie Man", "Keep It Comin' Love", "Get Down Tonight", "Give... - "Love Action (I Believe in Love)Love Action (I Believe in Love)"Love Action " is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League, released as a single in the UK in July 1981. It peaked at number three in the UK Singles Chart, the band's first Top 10 success....
" - The Human LeagueThe Human LeagueThe Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant... - "Shake It Up" - The CarsThe CarsThe Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
- "Besame MuchoBésame Mucho"Bésame Mucho" is a Spanish language song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez.-Inspiration:According to Velázquez herself, she wrote this song even though she had never been kissed yet at the time, and kissing as she heard was considered a sin.She was inspired by the piano...
& Granada"- Los Fabulosos 3 Paraguayos - "It Aint Easy Comin' Down" - CharleneCharlene Marilynn D'AngeloCharlene Marilynn D'Angelo is an American R&B singer best known as Charlene. She is known for her 1982 popular song "I've Never Been to Me", and is considered a one-hit-wonder.-Early recording career:...
- "Zero Hour" - The PlimsoulsThe PlimsoulsThe Plimsouls are an American rock band formed in Paramount, California in 1978.-Formation:Formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Peter Case , the Plimsouls began as a trio in 1978 which included Case, bassist Dave Pahoa and drummer Louie Ramírez...
- "In the Flesh" - BlondieBlondie (band)Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
- "España Cani" - The Dancing Brass