Actors & Skin: Willie Aames in Paradise

'If Only It Could Have Been Forever...'

1982's Paradise didn't quite have the box office success, or create the same buzz as the film it was widely critiqued for knocking off.   The Blue Lagoon was released two years earlier, and the similarities were not subtle, from the actors looks, to the story's focus on the discovery of love and sex.

For many fans, one thing Paradise did wisely copy, was ensuring it's hot male lead showed as much, or more, skin as his female co-star.  Christopher Atkins got the lion's share of attention for his role in Lagoon, and Aames deserved a lot more than he ended up receiving.  Given his popularity on television, and teen idol status, it's a bit surprising his nude scenes didn't get more attention.  Maybe after Atkins, they weren't seen as that unique, or maybe it was because so fewer people saw the film.

It's almost surprising, given how comfortable Willie seemed showing his willy, other nude scenes didn't follow.  Christopher Atkins seemed to only get parts that required he show skin, and I'd be curious if Aames got other offers but turned them down.  It appears he was, or became, more religious, so he may have turned down projects that required additional nudity.

David: My father told me it was wrong to look upon nakedness.
Sarah: Well, Adam and Eve were naked.
David: They were not, they wore leaves! Big ones.