Radley Metzger’s ‘Score’ (1974): Behind the Scenes

Radley Metzger’s ‘Score’ (1974): Behind the Scenes

Last Friday, filmmaker Radley Metzger passed away. This week The Rialto Report is paying tribute to him each day with a different article.

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In 1974, Radley Metzger made ‘Score‘, a film based on an off-Broadway stage play written by Jerry Douglas, that ran for 23 performances at the Martinique Theatre from October 28 through November 15, 1971. The play had featured Sylvester Stallone in a brief role (as telephone repairman Mike) and was set in a shabby Queens tenement. Radley transferred the plot to the mythical elegant European city of Leisure, where married couple Jack and Elvira have an ongoing bet regarding who can seduce whom. When asked why he changed the location, Radley would just say, “Who wants to watch a housewife from Queens have sex?”

Score‘ was shot in Bakar in western Croatia, and Radley traveled there with his cast: Casey Donovan (using the pseudonym Cal Culver, and still fresh from his success in the landmark ‘Boys in the Sand‘), Lynn Lowry (who Radley had seen in ‘Sugar Cookies‘), Claire Wilbur (who Radley had seen in the original stage version), Carl Parker (star of the ubiquitous Silva Thins cigarette commericals) and Gerald Grant (friend of the writer, Jerry Douglas).

Score‘ was released in a both soft-core and hard-core versions – Radley remembered the softer cut came out in the art house theaters in the east of Manhattan, while the more explicit version was released in cinemas on the west side (which included the grindhouses of Times Square).

Radley hadn’t been sure whether to film X-rated scenes, and left the decision until the cast actually arrived in Yugoslavia. When Radley informed Casey Donovan that he had decided to go ahead and shoot his solo masturbation scene, Casey was relieved, saying “Thank God: I’ve been practicing all week!”

The Rialto Report presents a selection of previously unpublished photographs from the production set and premiere party.

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‘Score’ Production

Score(from left to right) Lynn Lowry, Casey Donovan, Carl Parker, Claire Wilbur, Gerald Grant (legs only)

 

Score(from left to right) Lynn Lowry, Casey Donovan, Carl Parker, Claire Wilbur, Gerald Grant

 

Lynn LowryLynn Lowry

 

Score (from left to right) Casey Donovan, Gerald Grant, Carl Parker, Lynn Lowry

 

Score(from left to right) Claire WilburGerald Grant, Casey Donovan

 

Score(from left to right) Claire WilburGerald Grant, Casey Donovan

 

Claire Wilbur(from left to right) Claire WilburGerald Grant, unknown

 

Jerry DouglasJerry Douglas

 

Score

 

Score

 

Score

 

ScoreGerald Grant

 

Casey Donovan(from left to right) Gerald Grant, Casey Donovan, unknown

 

ScoreLynn Lowry

 

ScoreCasey Donovan, Lynn Lowry

 

Score(from left to right) Claire Wilbur, Lynn Lowry, Radley Metzger

 

ScoreClaire Wilbur, Lynn Lowry

 

ScoreClaire Wilbur, Lynn Lowry

 

Score(from left to right) unknown, Radley Metzger, Lynn Lowry, Casey Donovan

 

ScoreLynn Lowry (left)

 

Score

 

ScoreGerald Grant

 

ScoreCasey Donovan (bending over)

 

ScoreBakar

 

Score (from left to right) Claire WilburCarl Parker, Lynn Lowry, Casey Donovan

 

Radley MetzgerRadley Metzger

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‘Score’ Premiere

Radley Metzger

 

Radley Metzger(from left to right) Radley Metzger, Ava Leighton, Casey Donovan, Claire Wilbur, Gerald Grant, unknown

 

Radley Metzger(from left to right) Radley Metzger, Ava Leighton, Casey Donovan, Claire Wilbur, Gerald Grant, unknown

 

Radley Metzger(from left to right) unknown, Gerald Grant, Claire Wilbur, Casey Donovan, Radley Metzger, Ava Leighton

 

Radley MetzgerEdy Williams and Jesse Vint

 

Edy WilliamsEdy Williams and Jesse Vint

 

Radley MetzgerRadley Metzger (on right)

 

Radley Metzger(from left to right) Claire Wilbur, Casey Donovan, Radley Metzger, Ava Leighton

 

Radley MetzgerRadley Metzger (on right)

 

Radley MetzgerRadley Metzger (on left)

 

Radley MetzgerGerald Grant (on right)

 

Radley Metzger(from left to right) Radley Metzger, Claire Wilbur, unknown

 

Radley Metzger(from left to right) unknown,Claire Wilbur,  Gerald Grant

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  • Posted On: 4th April 2017
  • By: The Rialto Report
  • Under: Photos

8 Comments

  1. Paul k. Jenkins · April 4, 2017 Reply

    Terrific photographs!!!!!

    Did Radley ever discuss a coffee table type book for his films? Every frame is gorgeous.

  2. Don · April 4, 2017 Reply

    Wow – finally a pic of the legendary but enigmatic Ava Leighton……

  3. Edgar · April 4, 2017 Reply

    This is a wonderful movie!

  4. Mark · April 5, 2017 Reply

    Absolutely to this day one of the best erotic films ever made. I fell in love with Lynn Lowry after seeing it. And I told her as much after meeting her about 3 years ago. Such a sweet lady. Another great Metzger erotic film is Princess and the Callgirl. RIP Radley

  5. Adam · April 20, 2017 Reply

    Great film!!

  6. Mo · April 30, 2017 Reply

    Cal Culver wasn’t a pseudonym, it was Casey Donovan’s real name. Cal, short for Calvin, his middle name. He used it, primarily, for mainstream/non-hardcore modeling and acting jobs.

  7. Greg Dziawer · September 3, 2017 Reply

    Amazing photographs! One of my favorite films….

  8. Vladlen · June 1, 2023 Reply

    A masterpiece movie! These photos left me impressed! Especially the music for the film is very fascinating! You definitely need to visit Bakar in Croatia and walk around the filming locations of the film. I will always watch this movie!

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