In 1983, “Scoundrels” was awarded the Best Film Award, as well as Best Director and Best Editing.
“It’s an historic deal in so many ways,” said James Cybert, HotMovies director of business development. “Here is the first movie to win the porn equivalent of a best picture Oscar, with a living legend in his first serious starring role, by the greatest adult director to have ever lived. Then, you take all that, and you have 30 days to watch it. You may never have this chance again. It’s a whole new way of doing things but we believe it’s worth it for this man and this movie.”
The movie — shot on 35MM film — stars HotMovies spokesman and porn all-star Ron Jeremy in his first non-comedic feature role, as well as Hustler covergirl Copper Penny in her lone foray into adult movies.
Jeremy said he relished working on Howard’s ambitious films because they aimed to be more than just porn flicks.
Back in those days, when you worked on his films, you worked maybe 10 days as an actor and then maybe one day of sex,” Jeremy said. “Wake up in the morning and feel like an actor that day. That’s why it was called the golden age of porn — the early ’80s."
HotMovies said it plans to give the movie premium placement throughout its site in an effort to inspire further cooperation from Howard, whose movies are unavailable on DVD.
“I can’t wait to bring this movie to the masses again,” Howard said. “I’m trusting HotMovies to do a special job with this one.”
Howard currently distributes exclusively through HotMovies.com. The site is the only place to see a selection of the director’s titles, such as “Babylon Pink” and “Neon Nights.”
Cybert said he’s in discussions with the cinematic legend to bring more of his classics to the small screen, including “Firestorm, “Snake Eyes,” “Foxtrot,” “Platinum Paradise” and “Star Angel.”
“We are hoping our audience will really support us and Howard both on this one,” Cybert said. “This is the month to visit the site because we’ve worked hard to make this possible and this may be your last chance to see one of the greatest achievements in the history of adult movies.”