User reviews

"The Stud" and its sequel "The B*tch" were based upon novels by Jackie Collins and starred her older sister Joan. (As the third Collins sister, Natasha, remarked, "One of my sisters writes trash, the other acts in it"). Despite being almost universally panned by the critics, both films were huge commercial successes, the most successful British films of the seventies apart from the Bond franchise. There is, however, an explanation for this apparent contradiction. The films are little more than soft-core porn, and in an age when porn, whether hard- or soft-core, was much less easily available than it is today, any film involving nudity and sex scenes was virtually guaranteed to be good box-office.

In "The Stud" Joan plays Fontaine Khaled, the British wife of a wealthy Arab businessman. She was to play the same character, by then a divorcee, again in "The B*tch". Her husband Benjamin is played by Walter Gotell, best remembered as General Gogol in the Bond films. Fontaine owns a London nightclub and is having an affair with the club manager, Tony. The late seventies were the golden age of disco music and the producers hoped that the film could be a British "Saturday Night Fever", a film which had appeared the previous year. Many scenes are set in the club, and we hear a lot of disco songs on the soundtrack.

Although Fontaine makes it clear that Tony owes his position more to his ability to satisfy her sexual demands than to any managerial ability, he loses interest in her and begins a relationship with her young stepdaughter Alexandra, Benjamin's daughter by a previous marriage. This explosive situation becomes yet more so when a videotape emerges of Fontaine and Tony having sex in a lift.

These films may have been successful in their time, but most people today would side with the critics rather than the audiences who flocked to see them. "The Stud" and "The B*tch" helped to revive Joan Collins's career by reinventing her as a middle-aged sex symbol, but (along with "Dynasty" in which her character Alexis Carrington was essentially Fontaine Khaled toned down to meet the more puritanical standards of prime-time television) they also helped fix the idea of her in the public mind as a one-trick pony who could play sultry, promiscuous femmes fatales and little else. That idea would be an injustice, as she had a much wider range than that, but she seems fated to go down in history as a film star best remembered for two of her worst films.

Of the two films, "The Stud" is probably the better. It has something closer to a coherent plot, centred upon (as well as the sexual elements) Tony's attempts to raise the finance to open his own club. Collins makes more of an attempt at acting than she was to do in "The B*tch", where her performance is marked by a total lack of sincerity. Of her supporting actors, Gotell and Oliver Tobias as Tony at least make an effort and seem to know what they are doing, something which cannot always be said of her co-stars in the sequel.

"The Stud" shares with its successor a general sense of incompetence and pretentious tackiness. It may be the better of the two, but the difference is not a great one, and to say that a film is not quite as bad as "The B*tch" is to damn it with the faintest of praise. 3/10

A goof. The glamour model Felicity Buirski, who has a minor role in the film, refers to herself as "Felicity", but according to the cast list the name of her character is "Deborah".

Like most seventies softcore the film that put Joan Collins back on the map contains far more talk than rutting; and like anything thinking it's being really with-it it now looks far more dated than anything made in the fifties; compounded by the constant pounding disco music on the soundtrack.

As it meanders along it's garrulous way you also have plenty of time to marvel at the fact such a sorry collection of fashion disasters got so much more sex than any other generation before or since.

I'd managed to avoid this film for decades but, in the end, my curiosity got the better of me and I thought I'd take a look.

My expectations were set pretty low, which was just as well as it's laughably naff, cheesy and low budget.

I won't go into the plot (such as it is), but it's really a vehicle for Joan Collins to hone her bitchy cougar persona to the hilt - while getting caught up in a predictably doomed love and lust tangle.

Oliver Tobias is suitably sullen as her love-interest, and the sex and orgy scenes (which presumably at the time were very racy and made the film so popular for cinema goers) are now very tame and even a bit silly.

There is of course the late 70s disco soundtrack which adds to the cheese - as well as providing lengthy scenes of disco dancing in a nightclub that just feel like padding in a film that was pretty thin on the ground to start with!

Some of the locations are good (villages in Berks & Bucks, and the indoor swimming pool), but as whole this film is extremely tedious, risible, and very much a bi-product of its time.

Like the follow-up to "The Bitch", this is a Joan/Jackie Collins vehicle which represents an epiphany of late 1970s excess and trash.

We are shown a group of privileged amoral silly people in a way which attempts to "glamorise" their vapid "shopping and shagging" lifestyle. So meet the improbably named "Khalid Fontaine" (Collins playing a pre-Alexis Alexis), owner of nightclub "The Hobo", possibly the tackiest dive to ever soil the streets of London, England. Oliver Tobias plays the titular lead, an anti-hero who we recoil from.

Every scene is more excessive and ridiculous than the one before. The dialogue is wooden and childish. Collins' delivery is at its worst ever (apart from the Bitch), and that's saying something. She feels compelled to pronounce the last word of every line as if it's written in CAPS LOCK, bold case and italics in the script.

The drugged-out swimming pool scene is horrific. Did we have to see Joan's chest? The whole film is like an over-imaginative, over-sexed 14 year old's fantasy of the way that rich people must live.

See it! See it now!

The R2 double-feature DVD of this film, along with its sequel THE BITCH (1979; see below), had been available for rental through my local DVD outlet for quite some time - and, though I had been tempted to check it out time and again, I finally took the plunge after having watched star Joan Collins in another sexy role in ...CAN HEIRONYMUS MERKIN EVER FORGET MERCY HUMPPE AND FIND TRUE HAPPINESS? (1969).

Based on the lurid novel by Joan's own sister, Jackie Collins, the film isn't for anyone looking for quality cinema; cheesy, sleazy trash - set in London and accompanied by a dated disco soundtrack - that's filled with copious but unerotic nudity. Collins, at least, is clearly having fun with her bitchy role; Oliver Tobias is the would-be stud who finds himself to be merely a pawn in her game (and who, predictably, finds real love in the arms of Collins' teenage step-daughter); while Walter Gotell (a regular in the James Bond extravaganzas) is her betrayed but vengeful diplomat husband.

After watching the recent BBC interview with Joan I decided to see what her standard of work was, after it was famously derided as being secondary to Jane Birkin. The Stud was a UK smash however that isn't saying much as anything which was a UK movie and promised lots of sex generally was. The Stud is basically a UK budget Saturday Night Fever but with more sex and a really terrible disco soundtrack which apparently sold tons. When people talk down about disco they generally mean the kind in this movie however there was some great quality disco which is still on rotation today. Although there are also a significant number of actual chart hits from recognised artists in the soundtrack as well. Roxy Music etc.. This is based on an obviously trashy woman's novel penned by Joan's sister and the story is all kinds of stupid. It's about some working class guy who ends up managing some crappy upmarket nightclub and sleeps with upper class women, the main one being Joan's character. Throw in some double dealings, adultery and barely legal sex along with overly dramatic fall outs and its all very trash novel by numbers. The problem is that the movie is about a man and its written by a woman who has no clue about men. Its actually misandrist in some aspects and its probably the first representation of a himbo I have every seen. We are expected to believe that a guy who has access to pretty much any woman suddenly "falls in love" after a one night stand with a 16 year old, and that the same 16 year old ( a virgin) could manipulate what is basically a hyper experienced womaniser. Make it make sense. The other odd male character is the apparently rich bit older husband of Joan who seems to find enormous happiness after divorce as if he has just got out of jail and isn't on the hook financially to his ex. Rather odd. And that brings me to Joan's character arc. Simply no. While I understand this is written by a trash author Joan's character seems to be of the Tommy Wiseau mood swing school of acting. For someone who has just been caught cheating and divorced she seems to bounce back pretty quick. While this was her most famous movie role she was a 45 year old woman in this movie getting her kit off. She does look her age. Her character is also quite odd, she seems to be very confident but based on what exactly? She doesn't appear to have any skills or profession and she's heading into menopause. So its quite hard to see the appeal of her as a character and her male co-lead isn't exactly likeable either. As such its actually quite a bitter movie. A sequel was made which was less successful and no doubt Jackie must have thought they had cracked it. Its probably never dawned on her that the movie wasn't popular because of the story or production, it was simply riding the wave of acceptable sex movies and disco they 70's was known for. There is a reason why this isn't on UK TV much and its because its simply a bad movie, even if it did make some money at the time. Still, there wasn't much choice back then was there?

This is a filmed version of Jackie Collins sleazy novel about the lives of the rich and famous, which she herself rewrote for the screen so that her sister Joan could star in the sleaziest role. It does the high society it features no service. Even the most ardent revolutionaries are unlikely to believe that those who have risen to the top in Society are as vacuuous and incompetent as this film shows. The film has no message and no story that is of interest to watch. In some parts it comes close to pornography, something that would be of no concern if it was an important aspect of a worth while story, but in this case provides nothing but futile titillation. As far as I am concerned, the sooner any residual copies are committed to the garbage bin where they belong the better.

My viewers rating is 1 out of 10, and is based only on the fact that a rating of zero does not appear to be acceptable.

Artistically this film probably deserves its average 2-3 out of 10 rating on IMDb, but to watch it for artistic reasons is a mistake. This is a film that simply went out to make as much money as possible and in that respect it was a big (and rare UK) success. So while the much mocked health spa/ swimming pool orgy scene is unarguably pure hokum, its purpose was simply to get film goers talking about all the raunchy scenes, as was the sex in the lift scene. Other great word of mouth devices are using the hugely popular (among men of a certain age) Pans People/ Legs & Co in the dancing scenes and cashing in on the disco craze. Simply as a fan of cinema these devices are of great interest. To top it all there is a surprisingly good film poster for a film supposedly of no artistic merit. After watching it after all these years (too young at the time) I am impressed that the rather pathetic British film industry of this time was capable of making such a venal and direct money spinner.

It has to be said that Joan Collins really swooped down low to make this film. The Stud could almost be considered a soft porn with some outstanding sex scenes especially with the orgy in the swimming pool when Joan Collins (a married woman), another woman and a man engage in some romping activities. All in all the film keeps you occupied because of the situation between the "Stud" and the girl he falls in love with but the whole film is rather too raunchy ....that is if you like that sort of stuff..HEY HEY....

From reading the reviews on here they seem to be a mixed bag, too many people on here who post reviews are trying to hard to be next Barry Norman, The Stud is the classic cult movie, yes it's outlandish in parts, majority of cast turn up and deliver a performance, even the bad actors try, it's not meant to be Shakespeare, it's what it's meant to be an easy watch, from a bygone era, a time capsule of 1970s London, Collins is on top form, Mark Burns "Leonard Grant" almost steals the movie with surreal bits of wisdom, Doug Fisher delivers the best lines, yes it's seedy, dark,silly in parts but it's a classic. A film adored by Paul Bonfield.

Far from it, ten times more people were into disco and this film is probably a better reflection of the late 70s than Jubilee, with its Britain is finished, let's celebrate all that's grotty and rotten about the country. After all, where would you rather be, in some smashed up slum in punk gear, or down some high class disco being seduced by Joan Collins, what we would nowadays call a classy MILF. I am sure millions who attended their local Roxy every Saturday imagined they were in Hobos and flocked to their local fleapit to see what proved to be Joan Collins comeback after such dross as Empire of the Ants. Also the soundtrack, about the best thing about The Stud, sold in huge numbers.

However, the film is complete schlock and little better than other soft porn of the period. It does have a sort of so bad it's good feel to it, but is a rather sleazy, dull film that has dated badly. I know as a seventies nostalgist I would watch it if it was on, if only for the music, but I would give The Stud one look and then put it back in its case as the acting is hammy and the plot is threadbare.

It seems only right that Joan Collins play the main character in many of her sister Jackie Collins's novels. Who could do the character better justice?

Or at least that's one say. The title character is played here by British/Swiss actor Oliver Tobias and he's quite an eyeful for horny women and longing gay men. He is the manager of The Hobo, London's trendiest disco, but his real job is pleasing the owner who is Collins.

The Hobo is a gift from Joan's super rich husband Walter Gotell who wants to keep his wife busy while he's jetsetting around the globe on business and maybe a pleasure or two of his own.

Things go well for a bit and Joan even brags about Oliver's prowess in the bedroom and urges them to sample. But when Oliver goes after her stepdaughter that's when the jungle red claws come out.

Joan Collins as a result of playing Alexis Carrington was having lots of fun playing cougars of all kinds, but usually rich ones who could afford their indulgences. I'm not sure even now she really cares that she was doing a lot of trash.

For that's what The Stud is, pure unadulterated trash.

I can't pretend otherwise, I've always loved this film and it's one of my guilty pleasures for a rainy afternoon, or more likely a night in with a few drinks.

It's astoundingly dreary looking: apart from Joan's soft focus entrance there is precious little opulence on display. The film is low-lit and rather seedy looking. The opening credits sequence remarkably switches from day to night and back again! But right from the start, when the incredibly beautiful Felicity departs after a night with Tony, and then the sequence of him dressing and going out to the sound of the irresistible theme tune (watch Oliver Tobias trying to say "you handsome bastard" tro himself as quietly as possible!), this is a classic quotealong movie. Some of the one liners are great: "they ask for comics and a bag of sweets you give 'em penthouse and amyl nitrate" and best of all "there are two sorts of women in this world. The first sort pick you up and screw you, the second sort pick your brains and screw you up." It's rubbish of course, but however good it may or may not be its about the disco scene and shagging so it will always be seen in that way.

Whatever happened to the director? Oliver Tobias is rather underused in the film it must be said: he doesn't have much to do and is rather overshadowed by super-bitch Fontaine. But the soundtrack is great, and the film is fun. And the scenes with Tony and his pals are the best in the movie. Those three deserved a series! But why does Ben return the video to Fontaine? Surely he'll need it as evidence?

although the movie was not as explicit as the book, it had it's moments.

joan collins plays the part of the bitchy hedonistic adultering wife( a role she embodied in Dynasty as Alexis for almost 9 years!!) to the tee. she has all the moves, the look and the body language. she plays the part of the manipulative, dominating and captivating 40 yr old woman in her prime to such perfection,that it leaves oliver tobias, to play his role as the "stud" with all the enthusiam one could muster for such a role(not much to do but perform on call and bonk the remaining women in the cast).

walter gotell ( the head of the kgb in bond flicks) is wasted in what could have been a meaty role.

emma jacobs does her best as she transcends from an innocent girl who beds the "stud"(after she meets him the first time and finds out he is "doing" her step mom)to one who uses sex as revenge(when she rejects his amorous advances during his visit to her mother's house) and is then promptly not shown until the end of the movie. sad, because it could have been penned into a longer and more interesting role.

the rest of the movie is pretty slow as it follows the tacky night life of the 70's in london, especially the end where after a new year's party, tony blake is happy to be out of the night ife( i would have thought it would be from too much sex)

A part not to be missed is the "orgy scene" in the swimming pool...that was quite a scene!!!!

only worth a watch for joan collins fans who want to catch a glimpse of the early shades of Alexis Carrington Colby..

Oliver Tobias plays Tony Blake; plaything to the wealthy ladies of the decadent London disco club scene. Tony is a working class guy, trying to climb the ladder of fortune and success, by using his sexy looks and charm. Unfortunately the hustler is no match for female hustler, lady-shark Fontaine Khalad, played to perfection by Joan Collins. And when Tony begins to have real romantic feelings for Fontaine's teenage stepdaughter, it's the beginning of the end for our anti-hero. "The Stud" is an amazing time capsule, a vivid documentation of a decadent decade where disco and drugs were King. Surprisingly atmospheric, as well as effectively seedy and depressing, but it really has a heart when it comes to showing the rise and fall of Tony Blake. He is the perfect British "working class hero," who turns out to be more noble than any of the high society people that feed on him and throw him to the wolves. This is no "Boogie Nights," or "54," it is the real deal. The soundtrack is impressive, and it is a wonder how they got permission to use all these very popular songs for the production; this movie was apparently a very big deal at the time, and a big hit too. Collins is wonderful in her role as the jaded, two-timing bitch, but it is Oliver Tobias who gives this film it's soul. Followed by a sequel, "The Bitch," but this is by far the better film. Recommended for fans of 70's exploitation films. For those who believe the 70's were a happy and innocent time, see "The Stud." It really shatters that myth..

I enjoyed this movie, Joan Collins is the only actress that could pull it off. She has the ability to play these roles without letting it become silly, or needlessly pornographic. She has the charisma of a true golden era movie star, but her roles are daring, unique and push the envelope. She brings an energy that is so youthful to her roles; which is great in these movies and Dynasty where she is at an age where most women are no longer seen at all, never the less sexy and beautiful. She shows that there is life after you are mature, and she makes it look fun. The messages in the film are interesting; both the men and the women have their own angles on each other and what is happening, neither is really a victim. Infidelity and promiscuity are seen in all socioeconomic levels in society. From peasants to kings sex is happening and has happened. There are also consequences for each character but they happen and life goes on. Some people are put off by the sexuality of the film but Fontaine is a jets disco owner in the seventies, it fits the character.

I was 15 when this first came out and i had to wait two years before i was able to sneak into the cinema and watch it. While The Stud is by no means a great movie it was the highest grossing british film of 1978 and does bring back some great memories. The soundtrack is superb and there are a few interesting scenes, worth a watch if just for Joan Collins on a swing.

The Stud (1978)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Incredibly silly but sleazy "drama" about Fontaine (Joan Collins), a woman married to a very rich man but whose having an affair with Tony (Oliver Tobias), the stud running their club. Poor Tony is good looking and has an unlimited number of great looking women wanting to sleep with him but before long the stud begins to feel sorry for himself.

THE STUD is a pretty awful movie that came out of nowhere and somehow became a very big hit. Who knows why something like this would have become a hit but I'm going to guess that part of the reason was the awful disco era that was going on at the time and the fact that someone like Collins was going full nudity and trashy with the material. Yes, the film is sleazy, campy and at times trashy but that still doesn't make for a lot of entertainment.

The biggest problem with the film is that none of the characters are all that entertaining. I've read some reviews that complained that none of them were likable but that I really don't care about. You don't have to have likable characters for a movie to work but you do need to have some that are interesting. All of the characters here were rather forgettable and boring. The same could be said for the performances but it seems the two leads are having fun with their roles and especially Collins and her bitch quality.

The film became somewhat notorious for the various bits of nudity and sex. The highlight of all of this is a bizarre pool orgy sequence, which is just campy enough to where you can have a good laugh at its expense. The film is certainly a very bad one but it remains mildly interesting just because of the weird stuff going on. Did I mention the awful title song, which was clearly ripping off the SHAFT theme?