In 1978 I was introduced to two names in the porn industry for the very first time: Gail Palmer and Carol Connors. The introduction came in the form of the movie, “Gail Palmer’s Erotic Adventures of Candy”, in which Connors played the title role. I had no idea who either was at the time, but the movie was memorable and in short order a sequel, “Gail Palmer’s Candy Goes to Hollywood” was released, giving even more legitimacy to the star power of their names. By the early 80′s both women had moved off the porn stage, but they have not been forgotten.
Gail Palmer’s name on a porn movie meant that you were getting something extra. Her first effort was released in 1976, while she was still a coed at Michigan State University. 
Entitled “Hot Summer in the City” the movie incorporated all the principles of a grindhouse “roughie”, as they were called, complete with bondage scenes and physical abuse. Set in Detroit, Hot Summer in the City, took the “sexploitation” and “blackploitation” genres to a new level by incorporating hardcore sex. Hot Summer in the City was a very good movie by many standards. Palmer’s next two attempts, the aforementioned Candy series” were also entertaining, though clearly not in the class of Hot Summer in the City. (See a complete review of Hot Summer in the City.) It should be mentioned that in later years sources in the know say that the good looking young Palmer – she posed in Playboy – was nothing more than a front for a man who did all of the work.
Palmer’s next movie was released with tremendous fanfare. “Prisoner of Paradise” was talked about long before it actually appeared on porn screens across the nation. Words like “epic” and “blockbuster” were routinely used to describe the film, largely because it was the first porn movie that would incorporate actual war footage, tropical locations and special effects. For a porn movie, it succeeded in ways that others had never even attempted. Unfortunately, as a sex movie, it may have missed the most important mark.
As the film opens we meet World War II sailor John Holmes, washing up on the shore of small island in the South Pacific. As he finds shelter on the island he reminisces on the events of the last few days. We see him remembering his oriental flower and their last romantic encounter. We watch as they make love for the last time before John heads off to battle. They no sooner leave one anothers arms than the bombs fall on the city killing her and leaving John broken hearted as he returns to his ship. We then see the battle that left him shipwrecked and marooned on the island.
He isn’t alone though. After a few days he stumbles across some sort of Nazi outpost manned by wacky, chubby Nazi commander and his two goose-stepping goons, Ilsa and Greta, played by the lovely Seka and Sue Carol in her only film. The trio have taken two American nurses captive and spend their days sexually torturing them. Those into bondage or S&M will enjoy these scenes.
Holmes watches one of the sessions and sets about to free the girls and destroy the outpost. Of course, none of that can be done until nearly every woman on the island has experienced his famously large cock.
Yes, the good guys win in the end. And there is a fair amount of skin along the way. The photography and technical aspects of the film are very good, but the pacing is a bit slow, even for a classic porno and the sex scenes simply lack sizzle. This isn’t a film for a guy looking to get off in a hurry, but for those interested in seeing adult films at the zenith of their quality, this is a movie you wouldn’t want to miss. It would also be a strong recommendation for couples looking to enjoy some erotic entertainment together.
