Trader Hornee

Trader Hornee is a 1970 sexploitation film that offers a wild and exotic pastiche of the adventurous jungle films of its time. Emitting a humorous undertone and incorporating softcore sexual content, Trader Hornee maintains its spot in the extreme fringes of film genres, representing an era of experimental, audacious, and liberation-focused cinema.

The movie stars Buddy Pantsari, Julie Conners, and John Alderman. Intertwining elements of adventure, comedy, and erotica, the film is set against the backdrop of an untamed and ravishingly beautiful African jungle, bursting to life with a strange mix of cliché savages, threatening wildlife, and melodramatic intrigue.

The storyline revolves around the audacious exploits of Hamilton Hornee (Buddy Pantsari), a daring and somewhat moralistic explorer with a sharpened sense of intuition and survival. Tasked with the mission of locating the lost daughter of a wealthy aristocrat, Hornee embarks on a haphazard journey into the uncharted realms of the jungle. However, this assignment is far from easy, as the heiress has reportedly been transformed into a white goddess by a native tribe known as ‘Mazanga’. This preposterous premise is all the more comical due to Hornee's bumbling ways and inevitable distractions provided by the cavalcade of temptations in the jungle.

Julie Conners plays the feisty journalist, Algona, sent along with Hornee on this wild goose chase to document the escapade. Operating as his partner and sensual distraction, Algona is more than just gloating eye candy. As the narrative unfolds, Algona proves to be a character of depth and importance — a woman who doesn't shy away from taking matters into her own hands, exhibiting bravery and gusto throughout the tumultuous ordeal. Her inclusion in the tale brings a certain pizzazz, further cementing the film's place in sexploitation and women’s liberation history.

Adding to this outrageous mix is Wombat (John Alderman), Hornee's lovably inept and loyal sidekick. His comedic timing and regularly ludicrous situations offer a significant dose of humor, effectively offsetting the more adult-oriented scenarios. The trio's journey through dangerous tribal territories, ferocious flora and fauna, and sexually charge ambiance is the heart of Trader Hornee.

Contrary to its title, and the genre it aligns with, Trader Hornee manages to maintain a light-heartedness amidst its explicit elements, drawing upon the comedy and absurdity of its narrative to provide viewers with an unconventional cinematic spectacle. This satirical take on mainstream jungle adventure films is replete with pantomime-like situations, deliberately overblown dramatics, and crude humor. The absurdity is intentionally pronounced, as director Jonathan Lucas aimed not for realism, but a parody-style tone that simultaneously skewers and revels in its own absurdity.

Cinematographer, Robert Maxwell creates a vividly distinctive mise-en-scene, capturing an expansive vision of the 'jungle'. Despite budgetary restraints, the film manages to pull off an aesthetic that teeters on the edge of believability, creating a world that is as bizarre as it is irresistibly engaging. The unpredictable and discombobulated narrative is further enhanced by a lively score that encompasses a range of music styles from easy-listening pop to faux-exotic dance beats.

In essence, Trader Hornee is a risqué romp through the jungle, poking fun at classic adventure tropes while unabashedly delivering softcore erotic scenes. The surreal happenings, outrageous dialogue, and unconventional narrative make it a curiosity piece of the early '70s cinema, demonstrating the zenith of the sexploitation film genre. The movie's cult status comes from its successful melding of humor, adventure, and sensuality. It's an unforgettable journey into a realm of cinematic experimentation, a living testament to the audacious spirit of films of its era.