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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 14, 1999)
Bijou shows spicy 3-D ‘Disco Dolls’ ■ Sold-out screenings of the X-rated film spur mixed reviews of its place at the Bijou Art Cinemas By Yael Menahem Oregon Daily Emerald A 13-inch penis in 3-D - that’s something you don’t see every day, especially in Eugene. But that’s what audiences can expect with the re-release of “Disco Dolls in Hot Skin” - dubbed “The Real ‘Boogie Nights’” - now playing at the Bi jou Art Cinema. The 22-year-old X-rated film sold out three consecutive late night shows over the weekend, Bijou owner Michael Lamont said. The response by local film goers has even spurred Lamont to likely extend the run of “Disco Dolls” for at least another three weeks. Although the film has done well and boasts porn “legends” Serena and John Holmes (he of the aforementioned large ap pendage), some longtime Bijou attendees are put off by the show ing, which does not surprise La mont. “Sure, when I looked at the X rating and saw that the movie was about sex, I thought, ‘Well, this will offend some of my cus tomers,”’ he admitted. “Hopeful ly, the showing won’t do any per manent damage to the psyche of the movie community in Eugene or to the reputation of the Bijou. “If it does blemish it all, I hope it’s just a zit.” Perhaps not. One scene that graphically depicts a woman be ing raped and then drowned in chicken soup has led some peo ple to walk out of the movie the ater. Other dismayed patrons have responded by writing Lamont. “I’ve been coming to the Bijou for the past 14 years,” one letter reads. “It’s a pity and it makes me question my loyalty to the theater.” Another letter argues against the film having any artistic value: “Triple X smut at the Bijou ‘Art’ Cinemas? I guess my wife and I will be going to the McDonald Theatre.” Alix Kerl, a University student who is the education and out reach coordinator at the ASUO Women’s Center, expressed negative feelings about porno graphic films and was sur prised that the Bijou would play this film. Yet, she ac knowledged that she planned to see this partic ular movie with her guy friends, just for fun. “It looks kind of wacky,” she mused. Lamont conceded that he was a “little uncomfortable’ running this film, but adds, “If peo ple think that the porn industry is all about women getting raped and drugged up, then they’re not going to come to see this anyway. The film has had pre vious showings this summer in New York, Seattle and other big cities, with sold-out crowds in those places, as well. i t (Disco Dolls) looks kind of wacky. J J Alix Kerl ASUO Women’s Center Outreach Coordinator Lamont pointed out that there is some history behind the show ing of porn in Eugene. Pre-Bijou days, the original art cinema was the Cinema Seven, which opened in 1975. The local movie house played “Behind the Green Door,” an X-rated classic starring Marilyn Chambers, every Friday New Owner • New Menu Full Bar • Specials All Week Your UO Sports Headquarters No Band, No Cover Thurs, Oct 14: Feel the Soul w/ Beard Fri, Oct 15: Go Big! Sat, Oct 16: Roots Raggae w/ Norma Frazer sang with Bob Marley, Original Studio One Musician Every Monday: Tues, Oct 19: The Celtic Sound of Finuarra Every Wednesday: Specials we can’t even talk about. Thurs, Oct 28: Freedom Funk Ensemble Boogie Nights (70’s disco dj) 344-6174 • 13th & Kincaid (across from the U of O Bookstore) Over 21 after 4pm and Saturday night. Lamont estimated that over the past 20 years, about 10 separate X-rated films have played Eu gene. That number excludes movies with an NC-17 rating. Although Lamont admitted that he had not seen the entire film, one of his employees told him that “Disco Dolls” is “pretty soft for hard-core.” Will Lamont continue bringing X-rated films to his art cinema on a regular basis? He says no, but he does like 3-D films and in tends to show more of those at the Bijou. .77/1/ ITALIAN. Fast. Fresh. Affordable. 5 Delicious Entrees under $4\ f » SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS TY MEATBALL PIZZINI • FOUR CHEESE PIZZA -- TWO FOR ONEBuy one entree get one FREE! Hurry, offer ends 11 -30-99 684-7877 • 801E. 13th Ave., Next to Starbucks. Good at Eugene location only. Present coupon when ordering. Only one coupon per visit per customer. Coupon is not redeemable for cash, for gift certificates or with any other coupon or special offer. No reproductions allowed. Applicable taxes paid by bearer. No Cash refund. © 1999Cucino! (ucina!, Inc. J
