‘Fantastic Orgy / Champagne Orgy’ Review (Vinegar Syndrome)

Fantastic Orgy

(dir: Carlos Tobalina, 1978)
“Her Sexual Drive Makes Her A Star…!”



Iris Medina (playing herself in more ways than one) is a filmmaker. She has previously been producing sex related films, especially for college. She decides to take that next creative step from arthouse student filmmaking, hardcore pornography! When she isn’t behind the camera, she’s having some fun on the couch thinking of her stars and fantasising. One of her all time fantasies is sleep with the legendary John Holmes (Prisoner of Paradise, Tapestry of Passion). After shooting some scenes involving the beautiful Annette Haven (Barbara Broadcast, Dracula Sucks) and Desiree West (All Night Long, Carnal Haven), Iris finally gets to play out her ultimate fantasy with Mr. Holmes. Yep, that’s all I can really say about the plot…

Yep, story isn’t really the focus of this effort. What we have is a story thumbed in (we’ve all been there I’m sure) with essentially, reused footage from other Tobalina flicks and outtakes. The film’s finale is original footage and we do get some rather awkwardly shot scenes of Iris pulling faces whilst she plays with herself. There are of course clips of her behind the camera to hammer down that she’s making a film. Overall, the film almost plays out like a hardcore mockumentary (you’ll understand if you watch). There is some hilariously awkward narration throughout, both in its execution and it’s content. To be perfectly honest, that’s all I can say I really enjoyed (although in an unintentional manner). If you like orgy scenes, you’re going to enjoy the action on show. That being said, the final scene between Holmes and Medina is well done and interestingly shot in the handheld sequences. All in all, a fairly uninspired cut and paste job here ladies and gentlemen! I’m in the mood for some bubbly….

Champagne Orgy

(dir: Carlos Tobalina, 1978)
“They’ll Pop Your Cork!”

We get thrown balls deep in to the middle of a Carlos Tobalina (or should that be Troy Benny?) production. Once the shoot has finished Carlos (once again, playing as himself) decides to throw a party for his cast and crew. The champagne is poured, people unwind, get a little (well, a lot really) frisky and a massive orgy breaks out.

Yep, just like Fantastic Orgy, the story is thin. Unlike Fantastic Orgy however, this isn’t merely a cut and paste job with a story thrown in. Aside from the opening sex scene (which lasts a good while) that actually is a segment taken from later on in the films, what we have here is an unapologetic excuse to get to the action thick and fast. Although a much more original film, Champagne Orgy seems to lack even more than the first film of the double feature. Don’t get me wrong, there is talent on show and for the most part, the sex scenes are good, it just seemed to fall a bit flat. I did enjoy the backdrop of this film, possibly Tobalina’s own house? There is some humour in there in the dialogue, but it’s very hit and miss. I did find great joy in seeing a dog in the background wanting to get in on the action, so there is that going for it too.
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Overall, this has probably been the weakest release (in terms of film) that Vinegar Syndrome have put out under the Peekarama series. It’s no surprise that not EVERY piece of classic hardcore is going to be entertaining and Vinegar Syndrome is more about the preservation (for me) of these films that are often rarely seen and unavailable anywhere else. As usual, these films are presented beautifully. Both are presented in their original aspect ratio and are restored in 2k. If you are a Carlos Tobalina fan or completist, this is a release for you. Maybe you are new to the genre or the works of Carlos Tobalina? Here is a good place to start, especially with Fantastic Orgy that recycles scenes from other Tobalina productions. I won’t say don’t buy this release because I think a lot of people will appreciate the actual films more than I did. If you enjoy orgy scenes, it’s an instant buy! Yeah, I had trouble with this release, but hats off to Vinegar Syndrome for doing what they are doing with these films.

The Fantastic Orgy / Champagne Orgy Peekarama double feature is available on DVD through Vinegar Syndrome.