As a glimpse into the freewheeling approach to sexual politics in 1970s Italy, Mario Imperioli’s Blue Jeans (1975) is eye opening, and not just because of stunningly sexy star Gloria Guida. The erotic-dramedy captures a moment in time, when the post-sixties sexual revolution collided head on—and groin first—with institutionally ingrained misogyny and old fashioned Italian Catholic guilt. Serving as the catalyst for all of this lust and guilt in Blue Jeans, sex object Guida—and her enticing backside—steals the show. Film critic Vittorio Spiga referred to the film as “an adult comic book that flows into a real exaltation of the remarkable ass of Gloria Guida,” and truer words have never been written.
To see what Spiga means, look no further than the opening credits, which appear over a minute-and-a-half long closeup on Guida’s glorious ass. Sporting what must be the tightest and tiniest hot pants that any human being has ever squeezed into, Guida bounces along the avenue, butt cheeks hanging out while motorists—and audience members—salivate at the sight of her. That’s a common theme throughout, as the camera leers over the Guida’s jaw-dropping figure while male characters grope and grab the bombshell’s bottom like they’re tenderizing a piece of meat.
Guida’s teenage hooker Daniela is collared in the act by the cops, so she concocts a salacious lie to get out of legal trouble: she claims to be the long-lost daughter of a prominent local art restorer, Dr. Carlo Anselmi (Paulo Carlini). Is she, really? Well, the good doctor denies it, but the bodacious blonde is still released into his custody. Hilarity ensues, as the carefree Daniela provocatively cavorts around, causing embarrassment for Anselmi around his high society friends and upsetting his live-in mistress. And then there’s Anselmi’s wandering eye, which can’t stop focusing on the smoking hot Daniela. It’s all typical ‘70s Italo-trash, with middle-aged men falling all over themselves around the teenage temptress. While it’s all wildly inappropriate by today’s standards, these sorts of shenanigans were commonplace onscreen—and in real life—during the anything-goes-seventies.
After the film flits along as a mostly toothless comedy, the last act takes an abrupt, but intriguing turn towards pathos. Ultimately, though, it’s Italian commedia sexy all’italiana goddess Gloria Guida who makes it worthwhile to waste your time on Blue Jeans. And, while it’s pretty icky to know you’re ogling a teenage character here, in reality Guida was 21 during filming. So, ogle away!
Blue Jeans is currently streaming on YouTube. The only version I can find right now is in Italian without the English subtitles, but the plot comes through just fine in any language. The plot:
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