Henri Pachard and his troops put a lot of effort into "Steal Breeze", a freewheeling and kinky movie that checks the boxes for porn content but gives more attention to characterization and zany story elements than is usual. All involved were comfortable in gonzo and stupid assignments, so it's refreshing to see them deliver something better here.
Pachard and Raven Touchstone's screenplay takes silly situations and treats them seriously -the central conceit of two kiddie show hosts warring for ratings is an effective hook to hang this tale on, basically about the misadventures of professional cat burglar Jeanna Fine (sexy and endearing in her pre-boob enhancement form). Her partner in crime is played by Aussie actress Alice Springs, both working for taskmaster criminal Joey Silvera, wacky in his overacting as usual.
Similarly overacting as usual is Jerry Butler as Corky the Clown, a weirdo who will do anything to beat his rival Randy Spears in TV popularity. Spears gives an earnest and at times touching performance as a cross-dresser, who spends a lot of his screen time in drag. Jeanna reads his diary while casing his home in a plot to blackmail him with a secretly-shot sex tape, and falls in love with him, her own sexuality probably falling into what is classified non-binary nowadays.
Movie unfolds as a series of flashbacks as Jeanna sits in jail, arrested after she saves Randy's life when he (being blackmailed) tries to commit suidide by walking from his beach house into the ocean.
A successful mix of goofiness with sincere affection for its cast of misfits makes "Steal Breeze" still entertaining 30 years after release.
