Marilyn Chambers has the ability to do some amazing things sexually. She’s at ease with two guys at once, or with a man and a woman. She uses every orifice on her body – often more than one at the same time.

In addition, she’s been heralded as one of porn’s top actresses and isn’t a bad singer either. But more on these talents later. Her finest ability has to be that she alone can hold an average X-rated movie together, and then elevate it to better than expected heights.

Her new feature, Up and Coming (available only through the mail direct from Creative Image) is just such a movie. Excusing the musical metaphor, it does being on a rather slow note. But as Marilyn eases into her role, and the sex scenes begin ascending in erotic quality, we realize that it is her personality alone that makes this videocassette worth a buy. It’s her show all the way – the regular sex, the singing and the great sex, too.

Cassie (Marilyn) is a pretty young country and western singer obviously on her way to the top of the musical world. Her work not only includes practice with her pipes, but lots of rendezvous with men throughout the industry (and some women as well).

Her first tour puts her as opening act to Althea Anderson, the boozin’, druggin’, bitchin’, whorin’, washed-up country-western slut who knows that she was once a star, but whose time has come to step off her pedestal.  As played by Lisa DeLeeuw, Althea is the porno equivalent to Janis Joplin.

Of course, conflict abounds as Cassie has sucked her way to a hit single, rave reviews on the tour and is obviously moving the red-headed singer out to the Retirement Home For Washed-Up Country-Western Singers. At one point, after throwing some booze in Althea’s face, Cassie is chased by two thugs (one male, one female) who serve as Althea’s bodyguards and sex companions.

If the story sounds standard or dated, at least it’s the first such structure within an adult film. And since there’s much more going on here than just plot, sex film connoisseurs should be fairly pleased.

Director Godfrey Daniels’ very professional direction augments the beautiful scenery well, with lovely outdoor shots as well as pulsating close-ups during the hottest sexual encounters.  One scene on a yacht is a real teaser, as beautiful female bodies of all shapes are on display.

For the most part, the acting is believable, with both Chambers and DeLeeuw turning in outstanding performances.  Richard Pacheco, as usual, steals the scenes he’s in as an influential disc jockey with much more on his mind than records.  A radio station provides the backdrop for an unusual scene that parallels Marilyn Chambers real life – a nude interview.  As Pacheco tries to interview her, Marilyn goes down on him, and he provides the only laughs in the picture.  “I watched you from the third row with a hard-on for one solid hour,” he flatly states at one point.

The legendary John Holmes makes a special appearance as an outlaw C&W star and he and Marilyn, as expected, perform with legendary quality. In addition, there’s several ménage a trios, one good long orgy scene, a short shower bit and plenty of inspired humping.

As for Marilyn Chambers singing; frankly, there’s very little.  Her sexy, raspy voice is reminiscent of early Linda Ronstadt. The few times she gets to belt it out, her voice resonates against the walls.  The lack of songs kind of throws the film’s overall balance off a bit and there are some dad spots.  But if more music is needed, you can always watch Annie. After all, this is a sex film. And sex is what you get.