Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 17, 2018

1983’s “Dixie Ray Hollywood Star” is director Anthony Spinelli’s tribute to the detective noir hits of old, reassembling the formula (with help from screenwriter Dean Rogers) to fit an adult film template. What’s expected here is lots of exposed skin and heated antics between charged-up strangers, but what’s surprising is the actual production push from Spinelli, who, armed with some coin and eager actors, actually manages to craft a passable facsimile of the real thing. It’s no exhaustive reworking of genre elements, and period details aren’t stimulating, but as gumshoe entertainment goes, “Dixie Ray Hollywood Star” (the R-rated cut is titled “It’s Called Murder, Baby”) makes some inspired choices, especially with smooth transitions from investigative interests to bedroom (and office furniture) encounters.

Private Detective Nick Popodopolis (John Leslie) is caught in a troubling situation, discussing options with The Lieutenant (Cameron Mitchell) as his latest case has resulted in two shootings. Bringing Nick such trouble is the case of Dixie Ray (Lisa De Leeuw), a Hollywood player who’s being blackmailed over a lewd photograph. Nick searches for the culprits, only to get tangled in Dixie’s family issues, making contact with her daughter, Leslie (Kelly Nichols), her assistant, Adrian (Juliet Anderson), and her ex-husband, who’s the prime suspect in the case. Working with his sharp instincts, Nick tries to remain one step ahead of trouble, but the allure of the women in his way proves to be too much, clouding his professional judgement.

What’s immediately striking about “Dixie Ray Hollywood Star” is its score, with composer Daryll M. Keene bringing strings to an adult movie experience, delivering an orchestral sound to support suspenseful encounters and warmer activities. Spinelli clearly has a budget to work with, delivering a cinematic sense of life to the feature through Keene’s work, which gives the endeavor a certain level of class. “Dixie Ray Hollywood Star” also provides reasonable period details, with the mid-war world of 1943 achieved through costuming and make-up, while guns and cars contribute to the noir push. Spinelli doesn’t have everything he needs here, but the basics are compelling, tracking Nick’s adventures with enemies and lovers, working a case of blackmail that hangs loosely on the picture, but is never dropped in full.

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles with some degree of roughness, with the source showcasing a few speckle storms, scratches, and blips of chemical damage. Nothing's too distracting, clearing the way for a detailed look at the picture's period intention, finding texture appealing with costuming, which retain fibrous and sheer qualities, and set decoration is passable defined, offering fans a chance to study sets and locations. Skin surfaces are plentiful and vivid, crisply showcasing graphic close-ups. Colors are healthy, leaning into the tone of the movie with blood- red lipstick and era-specific outfits, which deliver darker greens and grays. Whites are a tad bloomy. Exteriors are appealing, capturing California hues with ease. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and filmic.

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also struggles with some age issues, with intermittent stretches of damage introducing bursts of fuzziness to the listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are mostly clear and true, reaching technical limitations, but nothing is lost during threats and come-ons. Sexual activity is pronounced but contained, without distortive extremes. The score does fine here, and while lush orchestration isn't achieved, musical moods are set.

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Dixie Ray Hollywood Star Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Dixie Ray Hollywood Star" is not a parody. It's an ambitious attempt to resurrect the formula of detective fiction while tending to sexual antics, sending Nick (played with a weird smugness by Leslie) off to bed numerous women while gathering clues. Amorous encounters are acceptable, and performances are generally invested, with De Leeuw providing some degree of intensity to the central mystery, portraying a liberated woman who matches Nick's confidence. Supporting turns are appealing as well, with few in the cast unable to match Spinelli's vision. And there's Mitchell in a non- sex role, continuing on his "if there's lunch I'll do it" career trajectory. "Dixie Ray Hollywood Star" surely isn't an exhaustively detailed effort, but as throwback entertainment goes, Spinelli's enthusiasm for mood and attitude is maintained throughout.