(1983) Pretty, orphaned, and innocent, Fanny (Lisa Raines), born Frances Hill in a small village 200 miles from London, with her only possessions in a carpet bag and 17 shillings, takes the initiative of making her way to the city in a stagecoach, seeking her fortune.

Directed by Gerry O'Hara from Stephen Chesley's screenplay adaptation of John Cleland's ribald 18th-century novel, Fanny narrates her adventures in becoming a high-priced courtesan in London before being reunited with her one true love, Charles (Jonathan York), in a less literary more libidinous comedy of carnality.

Robbed upon her arrival and herself accused of theft, she's introduced to Mrs Brown (Paddy O'Neil) in an employment office, who immediately sizes up Fanny's value as a blue-eyed, blondish, buxom maid, and offers the chaste girl shelter as one of her "very personal relations" in "one of the finest houses in London."

Passively unprepossessing Fanny receives from her kind and gentle bedmate Phoebe (Maria Harper) education with a personal touch ("embraced and kissed me with great eagerness"), awakening her erogenous excitement, and instructions (observing the other girls with clients) for her duties in the house of joy.

Mrs Brown presents Fanny to old and ugly Mr Crofts, a cousin and gentleman with "a heart of gold," from whom she has received 50 guineas down payment for the opportunity of staking his claim on a virgin.

Still possessing her maidenhead, she makes acquaintance with Charles, a handsome youthful son of a ship owner upon whom he depends on a pittance for his allowance, who falls in love with the "sweet and beautiful" angel at first sight. Fleeing Mrs Brown's establishment with her brave gallant, the couple takes up residence in Mrs Jones's inn.

Finally in the arms of a man she desires - though having seen so much, she knows so little of love making - she trusts he'll be gentle with her. As for Charles: "I suspected something of your innocence, but never this."

With the assistance of a chirruping lawyer, Mr Edward Widdlecome (Oliver Reed), Charles charges Mrs Brown with selling Fanny's virtue and demands restitution or the penalty of prison. With a dowry of 50 guineas, Fanny experiences domestic bliss and pregnancy, but Charles suddenly disappears, kidnapped on false pretenses by order of his merciless father and shipped off to the Indies.

Penniless with bills, after suffering a miscarriage, she faces the mercy of Mrs Jones's dictates or the bleak prospects of Newgate debtors' prison. Fortunately or not, Mrs Jones delivers her over to the wealthy Mr H: "I hope this young filly will prove a well-spirited and satisfying mount." Extremely pleased with his new play thing, he pays off her debts and stables her as his mistress in a handsome cottage in Richmond.

While Fanny appears to enjoy her new hanky-spanky relationship, when she comes upon Mr H shagging her personal servant Hannah, she indulges her sexual appetite upon William, the well-hung stable boy.

Eventually caught and cast out onto the streets, now canny and confident Fanny comes upon Martha, formerly of Mrs Brown's establishment, who introduces her to the exclusive club for gentlemen run by Mrs Cole (Shelley Winters), where Phoebe as well turns tricks in amorous performances.

When a client, such as Mr Norbert, requests home services, Fanny or another of the girls delivers a chapeau from Mrs Cole's hat shop. Upon seeing Fanny returning from such an errand, the very elderly and extremely rich Mr Barville (Wilfred Hyde-White in his final cinematic appearance), smitten by her face and figure, inquires of Mrs Cole if the girl is virginal. Assured that Fanny is the genuine article, Mr Barville refers to his long bachelorhood as being "a good match only waiting to be struck."

After consummating the attachment, Fanny's faithfulness to the fatherly gentleman (if one makes allowance for his frequently sleeping with her) earns her his entire fortune upon his death. With her own means of support, Fanny still needs fate to take a hand in her game; at an inn one night her ship unexpectedly comes snuggly into port.

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Copyright © 2009 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
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