Spies 'n' Thighs
With the current revival of interest in adult film actresses of the French Golden Age (or "L'Age d'Or" which for argument's sake we will situate between 1975 and 1985, running just a little bit shorter than its US counterpart then), mostly because of French industry giant Blue One releasing its humongous Alpha France back catalog onto little shiny discs, the lion's share of fans attention has so far mostly gone to the likes of Brigitte Lahaie and Marilyn Jess. While the first dominated the tail end of the '70s, the latter could justifiably be regarded as the heiress apparent to her throne of flesh at the dawn of the subsequent decade. As this friendly take-over was taking place, another performer made an indelible mark on fans and critics alike, an effect hardcore history will hopefully in time acknowledge. Her name was Olinka Hardiman (the surname was quickly dropped by the French who like their monikers short 'n' snappy and not too hard to enunciate) and publicity claimed she was a Polish former ballerina, her formal training allegedly responsible for the downright impressive athleticism she brought to her newly chosen career. Litheness of limb aside, she possessed yet another great gimmick. Thanks to the best efforts of the good people in hair and make-up she made for a convincing fornication film facsimile of legendary screen goddess Marilyn Monroe. Working with most of the "name" directors at the time, she would achieve her greatest successes with '60s cult actor turned filmmaker Michel Lemoine who as "Michel Leblanc" put her through her paces in a string of frothy farces. Having labored extensively in the non-explicit erotic field (yielding genre classics like LES DESAXEES, LES PETITES SAINTES Y TOUCHENT and LES CHIENNES), Lemoine wisely refrained from taxing his star's virtually non-existent thespian talents, basically allowing her to primp and prance Monroe-ishly and getting down 'n' dirty with infectious enthusiasm.
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