The First Turn-On!

Title: The First Turn-On!
Rating: 2/5
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Googy Gress, Sheila Kennedy, Vincent D'Onofrio
Directors: Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman
Duration: 88 mins

Troma Entertainment has been a big name in the American independent film industry for over thirty years now. This studio is most notable for titles such as The Toxic Avenger series, Tromeo & Juliet, and, most recently, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead. It also distributes many outside independent films for US and international release. The type of films fans expect out of Troma are those with over-the-top violence, slapstick comedy, and boobs. However, before The Toxic Avenger boosted Troma into legendary territory, this studio released goofy and raunchy sex comedies. One of these comedies was The First Turn-On.

It's nearing the end of the summer for Camp Big-Tee-Pee. The camp director, Mr. Zitzler, only has money on his mind, but the campers have something ELSE on theirs. When Danny, Henry, Mitch (aka "Stud"), and Annie get trapped in a cave with their counselor, Michelle, they figure that the best thing to do before they die is to tell each other how they supposedly lost their virginity. But faced with Danny's mother, Mr. Zitzler has to find a way to rescue these kids before he gets sued.

One could say this film is an anthology since each camper's bogus story is told in flashback. But there's no mistaking this for a slapstick sex comedy, a genre Troma helped pioneer. However, any Tromatized fan knows that this studio also helped pioneer getting films made cheaply (a subject Kaufman wasted no time capitalizing on with his filmmaking how-to books and DVDs). The First Turn-On! shows all the signs of a low-budget exploitation flick, and the quality makes it seem that the production was very rushed to get it "in the can." The filmmakers were still learning the ropes, and the only real on-screen talent is from Sheila Kennedy, although her talent isn't acting (wink, wink). Sorry the same can't be said for the other big name in the picture, Vincent D'Onofrio, who plays the character Lobotomy, a retard.

The humor is, more often than not, unsuccessful or unoriginal. But this movie is oversaturated with jokes and gags, so there is still a bundle of laugh-inspiring scenes. This film is successful at being cruder with its humor compared to most comedies at the time. Such are the luxuries of independent cinema. The vixens of the film, with the exception our Penthouse playmate, aren't that sexy. Such are the drawbacks of independent cinema. The soundtrack is typical with a scattering of songs here and there.

Most likely taking inspiration from the previous year's Porky's, The First Turn-On! is an overall letdown, consisting of dumb jokes and dumb sex scenes. Recommended only for residents of Tromaville. For those outside city limits, pop your Troma cherry with The Toxic Avenger.

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