Barbara Broadcast


Barbara Broadcast is an American adult erotic film released in 1977. The film was directed by Radley Metzger and filmed in several elaborate locations in New York City, including the Olympia ballroom and restaurant in the Royal Manhattan Hotel.

Plot

Barbara Broadcast, a world-famous liberated woman and best-selling author, is interviewed by a journalist about her successful career in an elegant Manhattan hotel restaurant, where gourmet food and erotic activities are on the menu: a surrealistic "Buñuelian" atmosphere, according to one film reviewer. Afterwards, other Manhattan moments in New York City are featured, including a corporate office encounter and a casual meeting in a busy night club.

Cast

According to an X-Critic film reviewer, Barbara Broadcast is "... a playful, funny and beautifully made film for grownups, a celebration of carnality and earthly delights shot with an artist’s eye for composition and set to an excellent score...". Barbara Broadcast, according to another reviewer, "... is a fun, witty, and charming film...". Another reviewer notes, "... plenty of electric atmosphere and ... This is porno chic!..." Paracinema film critic Heather Drain writes, "Metzger’s work is known for its eye candy and this film is no exception, with every frame looking like a perfectly composed piece of art... Barbara Broadcast may not be heavy on plot, but is an exquisitely crafted film from one of the best American directors to have emerged ... Radley Metzger is truly one of a kind."

History

Barbara Broadcast was released during the Golden Age of Porn in the United States, at a time of "porno chic", in which adult erotic films were just beginning to be widely released, publicly discussed by celebrities and taken seriously by film critics.
One of the songs, The Big One, by Alan Tew, was the inspiration for the theme song to the reality court TV show, The People's Court.

Restoration

On July 4, 2013, DistribPix released a restoration of the film, with the cooperation of the director. The result had a limited exhibition in theaters, but the main outcome of the project was the first official DVD and Blu-ray versions. A listing of the music on the film soundtrack was released earlier.

Awards