GOLDEN GODDESSES: 25 LEGENDARY WOMEN OF CLASSIC EROTIC CINEMA, 1968-1985
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Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985
© 2012 Jill C. Nelson. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopying or recording, except for the inclusion in a review, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published in the USA by:
BearManor Media
PO Box 1129
Duncan, Oklahoma 73534-1129
www.bearmanormedia.com
ISBN 978-1-59393-298-5
Front Cover design by JSV Designs.
Front Cover image of Serena: Photography by Joel Sussman.
Front Cover images of Marilyn Chambers and Kay Parker: Photography by Kenji.
eBook construction by Brian Pearce | Red Jacket Press.
“They were the proud providers of our vicarious sexual entertainment, capable of launching millions of wet dreams by allowing us to utilize their alluring assets for the fulfillment of our basest desires — essentially sinematic Circes beckoning us to crash upon their seductive shores. And as proudly presented by author Jill Nelson in Golden Goddesses — they are also fascinating, multi-talented human beings who strove to fit into the society that they satiated...once their carnal cinema careers ended. With a remarkably tender, almost adoptive tone, Nelson presents a cross-section of adult entertainment industry personalities, most of whom attained ‘legendary status’ in the eyes of their fans as well as the minds of their peers, to give the reader a multi-dimensional look at a world that undulated under the letter X from the late Sixties into the mid-Eighties. And if one of your ‘fondling favorites’ is missing here, perhaps Nelson can be convinced to do a follow-up called ‘Vibrating Vixens.’ ”
WILLIAM MARGOLD, Adult Film Historian
“(Golden Goddesses is)…A personal and revealing look at 25 of the most important ladies in the history of the adult film industry. The ones who started it all! Presented in an oral history format, the book covers not only actresses, but also directors, screenwriters, and costumers, making it essential reading for anyone interested in Golden Age erotic cinema.”
JASON S. MARTINKO, author, The XXX Filmography, 1968-1988
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINA HUBBERT
Contents
Acknowledgements
A Foreword by Jennifer Sugar
Golden Goddesses: An Introduction
This Mess
Ann Perry: First Lady
Barbara Mills: Eat, Read, Live
Georgina Spelvin: The Angel in Miss Spelvin
Marilyn Chambers: Girl Next Door goes Behind the Green Door
Roberta Findlay: New York City Woman
Jody Maxwell: Portrait
Candida Royalle: Femme
Gloria Leonard: The Grand Damndest of them All
Rhonda Jo Petty: Roller Girl
Serena: Tiny Dancer
Annie Sprinkle: Global Goddess
Sex “Kitten” Natividad
Miss Sharon Mitchell
Kay Parker: The Conduit
Juliet Anderson: “Aunt Peg”
Seka: “The Platinum Princess of Porn”
Kelly Nichols: Kiss and Make-Up
Veronica Hart: Thespian
Julia St. Vincent: From Exhausted to Boogie Nights
Laurie Holmes: New Dawn for Misty
Ginger Lynn: Turning the Page
Amber Lynn: The Blonde Panther
Christy Canyon: Doubly Delightful
Raven Touchstone: Innocent Taboo
Nina Hartley: Heart-On Girl
Honorable Mentions
The Flame
About The Author
Dedicated in loving memory
To my brother Chris
Acknowledgements
Golden Goddesses would not have been possible without the participation of the women profiled and/or highlighted in this book and the input of others who provided additional dialogue material.
For sharing with me in interviews, thank you: Penny Antine, Christy Canyon, Roberta Findlay, Valerie Gobos, Jane Hamilton/Veronica Hart, Nina Hartley, Laurie Holmes, Gloria Leonard, Mai Lin, Amber Lynn, Ginger Lynn, Porsche Lynn, Jody Maxwell, Carly Mills, Sharon Mitchell, Francesca “Kitten” Natividad, Kelly Nichols, Kay Parker, Rhonda Jo Petty, Candida Royalle, Seka, Serena, Georgina Spelvin, Annie Sprinkle, Julia St. Vincent, McKenna Taylor, and Greg Yedding. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Juliet Anderson, Marilyn Chambers, and Barbara Mills, all of whom passed away after their interviews.
Heartfelt thanks to Jennifer Sugar for this book’s foreword, and for her initiative to pen “Inches,” which inspired and gave rise to “Goddesses.”
Special thanks to Bob Chinn for this book’s title and for his acute memory, to Joel Sussman for his stunning “Serena” front cover photography, to JSV Designs for this book’s exceptional and classy front/back cover design, to Kenji for this book’s inspired back cover creative and beautiful front and back cover images, to “Papa Bear” Bill Margold for his wise counsel and enduring support, to Cass Paley for his sense of humor and feedback, to Sandra Deady for her keen eyes, to Richard Freeman for reading every single word, and to Dr. Vonda L. Pelto for providing professional insight and analysis on women working in the sex industry. I’d like to extend personal thanks to my publisher Ben Ohmart, BearManor Media Manager Sandy Grabman, Editor Dr. Wesley Britton, and book designer Brian Pearce.
I also appreciate the generosity of the people who have allowed me to use their photos and other resources in this book: Penny Antine, Rita Benton, Christy Canyon, Bob Chinn, Carnal Comics, Scott Church, Ian Culmell, Roberta Findlay, Peggy Giroux, Howie Gordon, Jane Hamilton, Nina Hartley, Laurie Holmes, Tina Hubbert, Hustler Video, Paul Johnson, Kenji, Gloria Leonard, Amber Lynn, Ginger Lynn, Bill Margold, Jody Maxwell, Carly Mills, Mitchell Brothers Film Group, Steven Morowitz, Francesca Natividad, Kelly Nichols, Cass Paley, Kay Parker, Rhonda Jo Petty, Suze Randall, Candida Royalle, Seka, Serena, Georgina Spelvin, Annie Sprinkle, Julia St.Vincent, Joel Sussman, Arne Svensen, McKenna Taylor, and Greg Yedding.
Additionally, I’d like to give recognition to individuals, websites, distributors, and other source materials used for the compilation of this book: Alpha Blue Archives, Amber Guerra, anniesprinkle.org, Caballero Home Video, Cal-Vista, candidaroyalle.com, Chic Magazine, Cronenberg on Cronenberg (1992), David Sutton, Distribix blog, Donna Ann McAdams, georginaspelvin.blogspot.com, Hollywood Cinema Associates, original Ann Perry dialogue and script text from the motion picture WADD: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes provided by Hustler Video, I-Candy, jodymaxwell.com, johnholmes.com, John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches (2008) by Jennifer Sugar and Jill C. Nelson, Julian Cash, kaytaylorparker.com, kittenklub.com, Lights, Camera, Sex! (2003) by Christy Canyon, loveartlab.org, New Line Home Video, Pacific Media Entertainment, paulsfantasy.com, Playgirl magazine, seka.com, Shriek Show/Media Blasters, Something Weird Video, Temple of Schlock.blogspot.ca, The Devil Made Me Do It (2008) by Georgina Spelvin, www.suze.net, TVX Home Video, VCX.com, Video-X-Pix, and Worth Mentioning Public Relations.
I would like to express my gratitude to friends, acquaintances, and loved ones who have encouraged me and championed the development of this book: Penny Antine, Judy Barker, Terri Beckwith, Cass Paley, Sam Caldwell, Bob Chinn, Heather Drain, Ted Fell, Tracy-Ann Francis, Kristine Fransden, Richard Freeman, Ann Gee, Peggy Giroux, Valerie Gobos, Howie Gordon, Jane Hamilton, Steve Hamilton, John Harrison, Laurie Holmes, Tina Hubbert, Tod Hunter, Kenji, Lyn & Terry Lawrence, Jason Martinko, Bill Margold
, Jody Maxwell, Donna Morton, Steve & Wendy Morton, Christopher Neeme, Jan Nelson, Val Osher, Kay Parker, Ron Parry, Rhonda Jo Petty, Serena, Shaun Price, Candida Royalle, Joe Rubin, Casey Scott, Jeffrey Scull, the “Longos” Starbucks girls, Julia St. Vincent, Jennifer Sugar, Joel Sussman, Peggy Webber, and Adam Wilcox.
Last, but not least, thank you to Hud, Corey, and Andrea for much love and laughter. xo
A Foreword by Jennifer Sugar
Three hundred miles and a twenty-five year age difference separated us, but Jill and I were united over our shared interest in John Holmes, in order to co-author the authorized, definitive biography, John Holmes: a Life Measured in Inches. I spent a bit over two years conducting interviews, experimenting with different writing styles, watching Holmes’s films and researching before I asked Jill, whom I had recently met online, to co-author the book with me. Because I was finishing my bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University, my John Holmes biography had lost steam compared to when I had started it at age 21. Fortunately, Jill agreed to join me in the project. As I had hoped, her passion for writing, and her care for our interview participants breathed new life into Inches and pushed us to publish within (Jill’s goal of) two years.
Considering that both of us were first-time authors, living in two different countries, publishing Inches was a thrill! Following a well-attended launch at Book Soup in Los Angeles on the night of Friday, August 8, 2008 — which would have been John Holmes’s 64th birthday — Jill and I went on to pursue our next adventures. For me, this meant beginning a full-time career, completing a master’s degree, and starting a family. For Jill already with two, successful, adult children, and who had recently sold her small business — finishing Inches inspired her to write a second biography, that she would call Golden Goddesses.
It’s the book in your hands right now. Its conception began sometime as we neared the finish line with Inches. During a walk along a California beach, Jill described her desire to explore the intimate details of the lives of women who had been involved as performers, directors, and writers in three decades of adult entertainment. Having just completed Inches helped Jill to obtain contact with these women, many of whom are self-protective and reluctant to participate in interviews, but Jill earned the trust of her interview subjects and frequently developed friendships. Each of these women has a unique, personal story to share regarding their childhood, entrance into the realm of adult entertainment, their lives afterward, retrospectives, and more.
Our credo for writing was to be honest and complete in reporting. Because of this, Jill’s interview participants continue to be satisfied with the tasteful portrayal of their candid and emotional stories. Enjoy!
Golden Goddesses: An Introduction
In 2008, while nearing completion of John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches, it occurred to me it would be interesting to talk in depth to some of the females who have become synonymous with the classic era of films depicting sexual situations.
While participating in interviews for Inches, Jennifer Sugar and I had established connections with a handful of women known from the golden age, so it seemed a natural step to approach prospective females to gauge interest. In the beginning, I discussed with Jennifer the possibility of collaborating on the book as we had done before. Jennifer was very excited about the prospect and supportive, but she was about to start a brand new full time career so this would be a solo venture.
My idea for each woman to share her own story openly was surprisingly met with a positive reception when I pitched it to a few of the females I’d gotten to know. I remember speaking at first with Rhonda Jo Petty in the spring of 2009. Petty was enthusiastic about the concept and encouraged me to get started. In September 2009, I packed up my little black Yaris on a sunny Sunday morning, and traveled east to Montreal to interview Seka.
As luck would have it, Seka had accompanied her husband on a business trip to Montreal which was only a six-hour drive away from my home. We planned to meet outside of her deluxe hotel situated in quaint Old Montreal. Over the telephone, she had instructed me to look for her platinum head adjacent to another woman standing outside of the hotel, and was insistent that I address her by her real name, Dottie, and not by her stage name, Seka. Understandably, Seka was taking precautions to protect her husband’s job security and didn’t want to run the risk her friend might learn of her real identity. When I wondered whom I was supposed to be, Seka laughed and suggested I pretend I was “an old friend from Canada.” About an hour later, I strode up to the hotel, and after exchanging a warm greeting (as “old friends” would) we walked a few blocks for crêpes and champagne breakfast before returning to Seka’s room to begin the interview which I taped on a digital pocket recorder.
Afterwards, Seka promised to put me in touch with some of her legendary girlfriends: Kay Parker, Veronica Hart, Gloria Leonard and Annie Sprinkle. True to her word, by the end of September, I had established interview dates with all four ladies. One thing led to another, and soon I had enough material and additional contacts to begin piecing together a chronological history of the lives and times of these fascinating women.
On a sad note, a few months after their interviews were completed, Barbara Caron Mills and Juliet Anderson passed away unexpectedly. Barbara had been reluctant to talk about her past at first, but her daughter Carly reassured her mother she should not feel ashamed. I had fortunately interviewed Marilyn Chambers for Inches in June 2007, just two years before her death from a cerebral hemorrhage and brain aneurism, and was very surprised and moved when I learned about her untimely passing. We had hoped to meet up for dinner that summer in Santa Monica during my visit there, only Marilyn cancelled at the last minute. I was disappointed, but a few days later, she sent me a sweet e-mail apologizing for changing plans. Among a few other things, she wrote, “Jill, you are a breath of fresh air.” Marilyn’s sentiment and good wishes meant a lot, and I’ve carried her faith in me throughout this undertaking.
Occasionally, family and friends have been puzzled and queried as to why I have chosen to dedicate much time and energy developing two books centering on this unusual group often misunderstood and even persecuted by society. I smile and answer, “I’m not interested in writing a book about Julia Roberts.” These eccentric, imperfect women, who dared to walk on the wild side, are also some of the most gorgeous, vivacious, resilient, intelligent, and ethical people anyone would ever want to meet. I don’t profess to have familiarity with today’s trends in pornographic movie productions, but I have been made well aware there is a vast difference between the caliber of performer and content available today and yesteryear. Without question, my expedition has been incredible, and I believe it has reaffirmed for me that I am bolder than I might have been had I chosen a safer sojourn. It is my hope that I have presented each woman’s story respectfully, with dignity, and without agenda.
In this book, I have accentuated twenty-five resplendent women of the golden age of erotic films who worked on both the east and west coasts of the United States between the years 1968-1985. My intention is to escort readers toward a clearer understanding of the beautiful and intrepid females who favored an alternative profession in adult cinema that was cultivated at the apex of the 1960s sexual revolution. By the early 1970s, porno was chic, and performers helmed by artful directors were personified in genuine scripts, supported by costuming and make-up departments in quality film projects that often culminated in red carpet premieres. Several individuals, and particularly women who began working in loops and sexually oriented films prior to the “porno chic” juncture, and/or up until the mid-1980s video boom, became legitimate silver screen stars. To suggest that their chosen path has been comfortable or without debris would be false, for as each unfolding story will reveal, experiences for a female employed in the adult entertainment industry during the generation when it was illegal to participate in the production of sex films, were anything but ordinary.
My interviews with twenty-five incisive female personali
ties: performers, directors, costumers and scriptwriters, are documented in the following pages. They range in age between forty-six and seventy-six years. Starting with their childhood years and closing with the present day, each woman has communicated her story through honest reflections and multifarious assessments of life and work within the adult motion picture community. Some of the featured women pursued assorted roles during the golden era of X-rated films, while others were occupied in a single capacity. A handful of females presented in this account are still actively involved in a facet of sexual entertainment. Because this book has its lens on women who worked for the erotic film industry, each chapter also contains film highlights.
Only a small (albeit significant) group of women are profiled in this book, but it must be mentioned there are thousands of others now incognito, unable to acknowledge or embrace their past contribution to adult films for fear they will be exposed or fired by employers for having partaken of the freedoms offered in more liberated and anarchistic times. It is why some of the women approached for inclusion in this publication declined the opportunity. For personal reasons, there are also those who have decidedly disavowed themselves from any responsibility or ownership of their former affiliation with the subversive industry. It is important to bear in mind that the women who are not acknowledged throughout this book are no less significant to the genre and era this book covers, as are the ones who are no longer with us.
As the reader journeys through the past and into the present, I encourage you to keep an open mind and a spirit of adventure while willing seeds of judgment to a standstill.
Jill C. Nelson