Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

High School Fantasies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 24, 2021

1974’s “High School Fantasies” was created to cash-in on the unexpected success of 1973’s “American Graffiti.” The George Lucas masterpiece was the tiny movie that could, offering audiences a way out of the Nixon years with a healthy dose of nostalgia, offering a time machine to the early 1960s, when the future was unwritten. Lucas cleverly recreated the era and filled his feature with lively personalities and relatable emotions. Director James Bryan doesn’t get the same kind of mileage out of “High School Fantasies,” which also attempts to revive the sights and sounds of 1962, but with an adult film budget. The helmer hopes to create a spirited romp about oversexed teenagers and their strange adventures with heavy petting, but there’s also a hardcore aspect the picture that’s hastily worked into the flow of the endeavor, with Bryan doing his best to shape something resembling a story, fighting the randomness of the effort.

It’s 1962, and the kids at Zuni High School are ready to experience their senior year, trying to transform the educational experience into an extended party. For Freddie (Larry Barnhouse), sex is the only thing on his mind, obsessed with classmate Mary Lou (Rene Bond), who despises the nerd, happily spending time with other boys, maintaining her position as the most popular girl in school. Freddie is frustrated and doesn’t understand what’s going on, seeking help from jock Buddy (Ric Lutze), who’s happy to dupe the loser, offering him a homebrew of Spanish Fly. Freddie, ready for anything, gets a taste of his “super stud” status, looking to claim Mary Lou with his newfound appeal.

Freddie is ostensibly the lead character in “High School Fantasies,” but the picture doesn’t have any particular direction at times. Perhaps Bryan is trying the replicate the casual atmosphere of “American Graffiti,” offering a series of incidents to get some fun going, following the antics of Buddy and his pal, who attempt to pull off some type of prank before they’re busted, forced to spend time with Mrs. Brown, an English teacher who wears sunglasses inside her classroom. Mrs. Brown believes in corporal punishment, leading to a scene where the two boys are paddled and then seduced, eventually identifying sexual excitement through the works of William Shakespeare. It’s weird, but that’s “High School Fantasies.”

Freddie’s quest is passably amusing, watching the strange guy try to get his hands on Mary Lou, who’d rather be with anyone else. He receives romantic advice from a caring teacher (creating some homoerotic energy in the process), and he eventually turns to Spanish Fly for support, giving him the powers of super stud-ery. Who knows what’s really going on here, as Bryan is caught between trying to find something of a plot and recreate 1962 without much cash.

“High School Fantasies” is actually quite impressive in the visual department, filling the frame with period cars and locations, with the action hitting California streets, and some time is spent horsing around inside a diner (with only burgers and malts on the menu). There’s also a sequence set at a drive-in theater, giving Bryan an opportunity to play with monster movie imagery. Costuming is decent, and there’s rock and roll running through the whole thing, offering sound-alikes to generate a proper mood (and avoid legal entanglements, though I doubt anyone cares). Nothing’s meticulous, but there’s a surprising effort made.

High School Fantasies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a somewhat disturbingly clear view of the sexual events in "High School Fantasies." Sharpness is excellent, surveying decorative additions to the feature to help sell the period setting, and costuming is fibrous, with leather and sweaters common. Hardcore footage is distinct, preserving semi-gynecological views, capturing all the sweat and sliminess of the moment. Colors are superb, with bright primaries throughout the viewing experience, finding reds especially vivid. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is pleasantly resolved. Source is in decent condition, with some light scratches and speckling, along with a few harsh reel changes.

High School Fantasies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix for the film does what it can with obvious production limitations. Quality isn't consistent, but dialogue exchanges aren't lost, with only a few lines threatened by muddiness. Soundtrack selections aren't defined, but rock and roll tunes are appreciable, adding to the mood of the feature. Hiss is present throughout the listening event.

High School Fantasies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Where Were You in '62?" (23:34, HD) is an interview with producer Damon Christian, who recalls his rise in the film industry, taking odd jobs before finally acquiring some real responsibility. Meeting director James Bryan, a plan was hatched to make "High School Fantasies," which actually required some research for the screenplay, along with various production achievements to pull off the period look. Christian explores the birth of Freeway Films and goes into the specifics of casting, sharing an anecdote about an antagonistic cast member. The conversation goes into the strange ways of adult film distribution, and Christian shares his pride in the music for "High School Fantasies," with a soundtrack album printed to help promote what ended up becoming a popular movie.

• "Bathroom Graffiti" (23:55, HD) is an interview with director James Bryan, who immediately goes into his relationship with producer Dick Aldrich, who was eager to capitalize on the success of "American Graffiti." Casting choices are recalled, with Rene Bond a popular star at the time, but hesitant to get involved in hardcore movies. And Bryan has quite the tale to tell about Larry Barnhouse, who also made a living as a male escort. Talk of crew members dominate the conversation, including a story about a future movie star looking to build a resume for Roger Corman. The interviewee also goes into Aldrich's power plays in post-production, taking command of his movies with help from a loaded gun.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:28, HD) is included, which tries to mimic "American Graffiti" marketing, complete with a Wolfman Jack sound-alike.

High School Fantasies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"High School Fantasies" was originally shot as a softcore picture before making a post-production switch to hardcore, and the change shows throughout, with sudden close-ups of sweaty penetration interrupting the movie, and the editing has a bad habit of moving to random shots whenever it feels like it, potentially making the viewer feel like they're suffering through some type of memory loss as the endeavor cycles through the same sex scenes on multiple occasions. Coupling sequences aren't flashy, crudely inserted into scenes that weren't intended to go very far. And the actors look visibly bewildered at times, unsure where to go with their bodies as the action unfolds in parked cars (but of course), in a shower, and on top of a desk. There's truly two different movies competing for screen time here, which might increase the entertainment value for certain audiences, watching as worlds of pornography collide. It's sloppy work overall, but "High School Fantasies" does a lot with extraordinarily little at times, best appreciated for its attempt to return to the carefree days of 1962 than its overall execution.