The nurse fantasy is surely one of the most popular ones in the erotic world. The idea of someone who takes care of you and lovingly has access to very intimate situations, makes a lot of sense. Even a good number of real current porn stars have done – or at least considered – nursing at some point. There always seems to be a connection with the adult industry, for some reason.

Candy Stripers, though, is not really about the nurses. It’s centered around three hospital volunteers that are in training to become nurses. Unlike trained nurses, they are only there to bring sweets and gifts to the patients. Of course, this being an X-rated film, you might imagine a scenario or two in which these hardworking girls manage to entertain their patients in creative ways that go far beyond their job description.

It’s the last day on the job for Sharon, the horniest and most sexually active of the Candy Stripers, so they’re trying to make this a memorable one. A party later that night is in order; the fact that they’re holding it in the operating room sounds a tad unethical, but we are not here to question the facility’s policies.

I mean this is clearly a hospital without many emergencies. Its patients also seem to be conveniently eager, horny swingers, with what I can only assume is health insurance with excellent coverage that allows them to stay in the hospital for a long time without any major physical issues.

Candy Stripers is basically a sex comedy. In no way is it complicated; it doesn’t try be anything that it isn’t, nor look smarter than it is.

Like most sex comedies, it has a rebellious element to it, with a hard disciplinarian who’s constantly fooled by the much more sexually liberal employees. There’s also the danger (and thrill) of getting caught and losing your job by following your impulses, which we can all relate to when it comes to sexual fantasies.

Considering the budget wasn’t that high, the sets are not bad at all. Sure, by today’s standards and after dozens of hospital-based TV shows and movies, this might look a little humble, but it’s kind of impressive for a porn movie shot almost 40 years ago.

In general, the acting ranges from not very good to kind of terrible. But since this is a farce, it doesn’t really matter much. Its light-heartedness, hot girls, good music and plain silliness give it some really endearing qualities.

Several Candy Stripers remakes and sequels have been made; and it has influenced a great deal of nurse-driven porn and sexploitation. Screw Magazine called it “the best sex film of 1978.” I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it’s certainly an entertaining silly movie.