Review of Amazon Supermodels, Inc. (#1) Review by Wilfred D. DeVoe, video by Builtmore ',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',' ,',',',',', ,',',',',',' ',',',',',' A CRITIC'S CRITIQUE ',',',',',', ,',',',',', My Evaluation of Amazon Supermodels, Inc. (#1) ,',',',',',' ',',',',',' by Wilfred D. DeVoe ',',',',',', ,',',',',', ,',',',',',' ',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',',' Amazon Supermodels, Inc. (#1), by W.I.G. Ltd. and BuiltMore Product- ions, copyright (c) 1992 This review has been VERY long in coming. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the tape that started it all -- now the first in a long line of tall women showcases put out by BuiltMore Productions. First released in 1992, it was available almost solely through special-interest men's mag- azines and hadn't had the exposure to be seen in a wide, public forum; as a consequence, there had been no published critique on the tape up to this writing. BuiltMore Productions has been around for years, but only in 1996 has made its presence known on the Internet. The company now has its own Web site, http://www.builtmore.com B.M.P. deals almost exclusively in special-interest videotapes, in- cluding amazon warrior tapes, women weightlifter/bodybuilder tapes, and the line that really interests me, the Amazon Supermodels series, which focuses on the allure of very tall women. There are some wonderful videotapes in this series, and some not quite so good. The producers have experimented with different camera techniques and special effects, with varying degrees of effectiveness. The tapes are rather simply-produced in contrast to those put out by a big company such as Playboy. The production values of BuiltMore just don't compare, since it's a small outfit without the capital outlay of a major corporation. But, as does Roger Corman in the "B" movies, Built- More Productions does what it can with what it has. Most of this first tape is made with footage from interviews, etc. of models from Above All Enterprises. An aside: in June of 1980 in the National Enquirer (I know: "Watch your language, Wilfred.") I saw a pic- ture of five very tall models surrounding their publicist, all from Above All Enterprises. As a lover of tall women, I was enthralled by the sight of Kathy Hindman, 6'2" (Miss Tall International), Gloria Morrison, 6'1", Kathleen McIntyre, 6'9" (!! Oh !!), Kitty Dooley (Mmmm!), 6'4", and Nor- majean Gibbs, 6'1", surrounding Anne Koehler, 5'3". How I wished I could meet, and love, such women. When I saw this videotape more than 10 years later, I was overjoyed to see it had some of the same models I'd loved from the Enquirer (excuse me) photograph. But the models' hairstyles, etc. were identical to what I'd seen in the picture, so I realized that this tape footage was several years old. I'd obtained my copy of this tape and the second in the series in answer to an advertisement a fat-loving (lipophile?) friend showed me from one of his special-interest catalogues. The ad was from W.I.G. Ltd., which I later learned stood for Woodard Investment Group. I don't recall who actually filled the order, but I'd received after that bro- chures from LH-Art and Amazon Productions. The latter was founded by Dan Siever and Nercy Navab, and became known as BuiltMore Productions. Some background: Above All Enterprises was founded in or before 1980 when some people recognized that they could fill a special niche in modeling / show business. James Woodard, himself 6'5", got a measure of fame at the helm of Above All, but recognition must be given also to Donna Blevins, his girlfriend at the time (and herself a tall model), who did so much of the work that made the agency succeed. One thing that's very important to me is the interview of each model since it's a reminder that she's a person, not just an image on a screen. This videotape is far less structured than those to follow; the standard format had not yet evolved. I'll describe people and events in the order in which they appear. I must caution you that this tape is shorter than the later tapes in the series. Woodard et al were at a loss to provide enough material to make a one-hour tape, since most of the material on hand was copyrighted by Above All Enterprises' clients. (Note: some of that copyrighted ma- terial from television is available on Bill & Lynn Baki's tall women tapes. Contact billbaki@aol.com for ordering information.) About 20 minutes of material comes from Above All; the rest is from BuiltMore Pro- ductions. The resulting presentation is about 33 minutes, with another 12 minutes covered by advertisements for mostly strong-amazon-type tapes. Those who are interested in a significant piece of tall-woman culture and entertainment history may want this videotape despite its brevity. The tape presentation starts out in semi-documentary form, and is built around a video interview of James Woodard and his Above All models. An interpreter provides translation into Japanese. At 6'5" Woodard seems almost short compared to some models; the interviewer looks tiny! Woodard and the models describe some of the work they've done, in- cluding television, trade shows, and promotional assignments. As the camera pans over the models, we see the camera angle is pointed slightly upward to most of them, and WAY up to a few (maybe I should say, "pans UNDER"?). I've seen camera angles like that on the 1960's TV series, "Land of the Giants," but on this tape the perspective is not faked! There are male and female models at this agency, Woodard says, any size, any weight; the women range from 6'0" to 6'11". The camera pans on portfolio pictures of various models, and on a life-sized Above All post- er showing 6'2" Kathy Hindman. God, what a beautiful woman. The scene changes to 6'9" Kathleen McIntyre struggling to get in the driver's seat of a car. She's fun. I had quite a crush on her from the Enquirer (ahem!) picture. I admit it was a letdown to see that she's no curvy fashion model type, but an elongated-looking, rather plain, very skinny, gawky-looking girl with small breasts. The Enquirer (cough!) picture hid most of her assets (and liabilities) behind the firm's publi- cist, while all the tall women together shined. Except for her great stature, she would be a lesser light. I really hope she never sees these words, though; she'd think I didn't like her, but I DO! My sweet tooth- pick. We're both skinny. I'd like us to make noise together, like skel- etons in the closet (rattle rattle). The setting changes to a beach, where all the women are in bathing suits. (!!) They do draw attention. All those legs! All THOSE legs!! If you took all those legs and laid them end-to-end, where would you go? From end to end! And enjoying every inch. (Ohh, that's bad.) Interviews continue on the beach, with questions answered first by Kathleen McIntyre, then by Kitty Dooley, then by an unnamed black model with slim yet curvy figure, a white brunette with not enough meat to fill her bikini top, then a blond who looks relatively short, but that's be- cause she's standing next to 6'9" Kathleen; she would probably tower over me. 6'4" Kitty Dooley is an old favorite of mine from from the Enquirer (snort!) picture -- ohh, those eyes -- that long, curly blond hair -- those L-O-O-N-G, beautiful legs! Be still, my beating heart. Actually, like many fashion models, Kitty Dooley is rather small in the bust, not a plus for me. And her voice is raspy, not rich or ele- gant. ("The Devil," you say, "I'll give her a Wonderbra, wear earplugs, and jump her!") Fresh. The scene switches to a party where most of the women tower over the men. The music and attire all appear vintage late 1970's. Later there is an interview section with separate models. This is a forerunner to the format used by most of the later tapes. First up is Gwen Haynes (Bachman), 6'11 1/8", a long thin brunette with plain-to- pretty features. Gwen did play basketball among other sports, and was at this taping a tennis instructor. She poses later with 6'5" Jim Woodard, then with 6'9" Kathleen, who's slightly taller than Gwen in her high heels. Kathleen relates her own background, and describes experiences she and Gwen had together in public places. I may be a bit unfair with Gwen, but to me her personality appears a bit flat; it may be just shy- ness, from being in a new and unfamiliar situation. Kathleen sounds as though she's good with people. Much newer footage follows, courtesy of Paul Harris. I recognize Nercy Navab's voice in the narration -- it's so strong, rich, full, and cultured... (...naw, be honest -- peculiar and pinched-sounding). The scene is a bar, and the model is Tracy Faucher, 6'3" and 185 lbs., in a short tight dress and open-toed high heels. Her hair is short and worn upward, reminiscent of old pictures of Janet Pilgrim at Playboy magazine. Nercy describes her occupations -- model, entrepreneur, etc. -- she has a lot on the ball. It's too bad she's not actually interviewed here so we'd get this information in her own words. A waiter bumps into her and spills his drinks on her. The artistic succession of still shots of her doesn't really appeal to me. Next is an interview with Dot Jones, a 6'3+" 250 lb. weightlifter, again conducted by Nercy (I'd like to be respectful and call him "Mr. Navab," but he won't let me). Dot describes her competitions. She's not bad-looking. She's solid, though; if you bumped into her, it might be like bumping into a brick wall. Then comes the first ever appearance in these tapes of 6'4" Kristine Roberts. Nnga! Those legs again! Ohhohohh, that dress! Rrahh! (Slap! Slap! Slap!) Ahem, uh, right uh, (blink! blink!) well, she talks about wrestling, and says if she were to wrestle, her name would be "Amazonia." She describes her admiration for Big Bock Man (sic?), Hulk Hogan, and The Ultimate Warrior, and her need for more exercise, her scars from competi- tions, etc. Hard to concentrate -- she speaks so quickly, and that body is such a distraction, especially those legs! Damn, I wish she'd stop dancing, I'm trying to write, I just want to jump her and nngah! Ahem. Taped at Nercy Navab's apartment (you lucky bastard!). We next see Connie Waikle, a robust 6'9" -- definitely not a tooth- pick; in real life, face to face -- uh, or whatever, she would be without a doubt very impressive. (Aside: also recorded in Nercy's apartment. It's interesting to see the place in the days before it had office equip- ment and computers -- so much more room.) Though said to be quite shy, Connie comes across very well, describing her education, her athletic background, etc. Plain-featured -- well, mildly pretty; mmmm, nice legs, long curly dark blond hair. We see her ducking doorways to enter rooms (!!). She talks about women's basketball in college, the lack of profes- sional women's basketball in the U.S., the organization of women's pro teams in Europe, and miscellaneous items. Sounds intelligent, interest- ing. She's seen at times with her 6'3" boyfriend. At present, she's married. Okay, all together now: "AAWWWW!!!" The credits are given with closing scenes of the Above All models at the beach. Our beaches at home are NEVER like that, damn it! The next 12 minutes are made up of advertisements for muscle women videotapes, among them exercise videos, and stories with plots -- police and detective stories, sword and sandal, sword and sorcery, etc. A follow-up note: Above All Enterprises no longer exists. It gave way to W.I.G. Ltd., which then led to The Amazon's Arena BBS and Web site. A gentleman from Europe known on the Internet as Efron started a tall modeling agency of his own, which he called "Above All," without the word "Enterprises." Jim Woodard let Efron use the name with his bles- sings, but at this writing Efron decided on an alternative, "Taller Than Tall." The rights to this tape are jointly owned by W.I.G. Ltd. / Amazon's Arena and by BuiltMore Productions. Anyone wanting to take a chance on it can access an order form at http://www.globalmark.com/amprod/ or via "snail mail" write to James Woodard Post Office Box 370041 Las Vegas, Nv. 89137-0041 Also http://www.builtmore.com or via "snail mail," write to BuiltMore Productions Post Office Box 571 Santa Monica, Ca. 90406-0571 and request "Amazon Supermodels, Inc." #1. At this writing I'd say we're lucky to have the Internet to enable tall women lovers and gigantophiles to find one another and allow this fascinating subculture to flourish. We've come a long way since that En- quirer (gag, cough) picture.