Review

Not only is These Bases are Loaded one of director William Higgins' all time best, it is also one of the best jocks-in-a-lockerroom, group orgy, pre-condom-era gay fuck flicks of all time. Just ask anyone who's seen it. Example: The opening credits are barely over and we're get a full-team circle jerk. If you're familiar with Higgins' slo-mo cum shots, you know what you're in for. If not, and major blast-offs the type of which are rarely seen today are your thing, then prepare for a majorly sticky treat.

Here the jockstraps are so plumply overstuffed, the cumshots so creamily waddy and the sex so well filmed that this is one you'll go back to over and over again. The group orgy finale ranks as one of the best ever filmed, too. The bonus footage of a 1981 West Hollywood gay pride parade (complete with hot-pants wearin' boys sashaying about all proud as punch) only adds to the sense of fun.

The not so good news is that Catalina really dropped the ball as far as remastering goes. We'll give them some slack because of the source material they had to deal with (as of the disc's date of replication in 2004 the film is 22 years old) but it doesn't look like too much of a clean-up was done to the print. It's still awfully dark in spots, shows signs of dirt and wear, and the sound (again, partly due to the source elements) is only so-so.

The real crime though is not approaching (or ponying up the cash for) Mr. Higgins to do a commentary track. The man is still very much alive, thank you, and hey - without Higgins' classic films where would Catalina be today? Still, These Bases are Loaded is a classic in every sense and one of those rare must-owns.

 -- Keeneye Reeves

From the press notes:
"A championship victory makes a dream come true when bat boy Jon King and eight jock teammates bring out the beer, strip off the jockstraps, and let the fantasies fly in a play-by-play call that delivers the ball into a grand-slam orgy-filled lockerroom."