The Last American Virgin
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The Last American Virgin (1982) is a comedy film which is a remake of the wildly popular Israeli 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 America.
Davidson decided, however, to change a few key elements from the original. Eskimo Limon was a nostaligia film about kids growing up in 1950s Israel — similar to George Lucas' American Graffiti, however the remake was set in present day Los Angeles. The soundtrack was also updated from golden oldies to more contemporary New Wave rock. This decision was possibly made to avoid being too similar to the Canadian produced sex comedy Porky's which was released the same year.
The Last American Virgin never even met with the same success as Eskimo Limon. However many who grew up in the 1980s, discovered the film due to its popularity on late night HBO.
Plot synopsis
The plot closely follows the original Eskimo Limon, and revolves around protagonist Gary (Lawrence Monoson) a typical highschooler, and his friends Rick (Steve Antin)--the slick ladies man, and David (Joe Rubbo)--the Belushi'esque fat guy. As in most '80s teen comedies, most of the plot involves their numerous failed attempts to hook up. However, early on in the film, a love triangle develops between Gary, Rick and Karen (Diane Franklin, later of Better Off Dead fame). Gary is secretly in love with Karen, however his dreams of dating her are over when she hooks up with Rick.
Eventually Rick gets Karen pregnant and leaves her without any money for an abortion. 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. They seem to hit it off and Karen invites Gary to her birthday party the following week. Gary scrapes up a few more dollars and buys Karen a gold bracelet for her birthday.
However when Gary arrives at the party his dreams are shattered when he sees Karen making out with Rick. The film ends with the credits rolling over a close up of tears streaming down Gary's face as he drives home.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack is a memorable compendium of 1980s radio hits; each song is used to great effect.
- "Oh No" - The Commodores
- "Whip it" - Devo
- "Open Arms" - Journey
- "Keep On Lovin' You" - Reo Speedwagon
- "I Will Follow" - U2
- "I Know What Boys Like" - The Waitresses
- "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" - The Police
- "Just Once" - James Ingram
- "Are You Ready For the Sex Girls?" - Gleaming Spires
- "That's the Way I like it" - KC and the Sunshine Band
- "Love Action (I Believe In Love)" - Human League
- "Better Luck Next Time" - Oingo Boingo
- "Since You're Gone" & "Shake it Up" - Cars
- "Besame Mucho & Granada" - Fabulous Paraguayas
- "It Aint Easy Comin' Down" - Charlene
- "When I Find You" - Phil Seymour
- "Zero Hour" - Plimsouls
- "Teen Angel Eyes" - Tommy Tutone
- "Airwaves" - The Fortune Band
- "In the Flesh" - Blondie
Trivia
- Joe Rubbo (David) works as a Mortgage broker in Florida and still remains good friends with Steve Antin and Lawrence Monoson. He also had a part in another Golan-Globus sex comedy ''Hot Chilli'
- The last American Virgin was released two months before Lawrence Monoson's seventeenth birthday.
- Steve Antin is also well known for his role in another popular 1980s film The Goonies
- Director Boaz Davidson had intended this as the first in a series of films, much like Eskimo Limon, or Porky's, however since it was only moderately successful this never happened.
- After the abortion, Gary comes in with a pine tree, a symbol of fertility and birth, and oranges, a symbol of chastity and marriage.
External links
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