The Associated Press today reports on the death of Gerard Damiano, described by AP writer Sarah Larimer as the director of a "pioneering pornographic film":
Damiano's "Deep Throat" was a mainstream box-office success and helped launch the modern hardcore adult-entertainment industry. Shot in six days for just $25,000, the 1972 flick became a cultural must-see for Americans who had just lived through the sexual liberation of the 1960s.
Mainstream box-office success? A cultural must-see? Not as I recall. In a 2005 Los Angeles Times piece disputing claims of how much money was made by "Deep Throat," Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Michael Hiltzik noted that the movie was "banned in half the country and generally exhibited in one theater at a time even in the biggest cities, such as New York and Los Angeles."
The porn flick enjoyed some popularity among celebrities, not surprisingly. Critic Roger Ebert wrote in his review:
The movie became "pornographic chic" in New York before it was busted. Mike Nichols told Truman Capote he shouldn't miss it, and then the word just sort of got around: This is the first stag film to see with a date.
I don't remember the film being considered a cultural must-see. Then again, I wasn't hanging around with sophisticated folks like Truman Capote.
I do recall some protests against "Deep Throat" at the time. If only those poor misguided folks had the benefit of the Associated Press's cosmopolitan evaluation of this pioneering film, they would undoubtedly have tossed down their signs and bought tickets.
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This "lived through the
October 28, 2008 - 14:53 ET by kgThis "lived through the 60's sexual revolution" movie was shown in January 1973. It wasn't mainstream until the 80's and only shown in adult theaters. So the story is false though accurate.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
There were prominent
October 28, 2008 - 14:59 ET by NewsbusterbrownThere were prominent mainstream celebrities who did hail it as hip cinema at the time, but the average person never saw it.
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
Average person
October 28, 2008 - 15:04 ET by Michael M. BatesMaybe the AP doesn't hire average persons, so the movie seemed mighty popular to them.
I was just learning to read
October 28, 2008 - 14:57 ET by NewsbusterbrownI was just learning to read when "Deep Throat," "The Devil in Miss Jones" and "Last Tango in Paris" came out. I remember asking my parents what "X" meant in the movie ads. They just told me they were bad pictures and that was the end of that. :-)
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
you were just learning to
October 28, 2008 - 16:08 ET by patmac49you were just learning to read and just happened to be reading all the x rated movies??? actually the devil and miss jones was good!
you were just learning to
October 28, 2008 - 19:08 ET by Newsbusterbrownyou were just learning to read and just happened to be reading all the x rated movies???
I was reading all of the movie listings back then when I was 6-7. In fact, I read the comics, too, FWIW. Again, I had no idea what those movies were about until years later.
BTW, my favorite listings at the time were the horror ones, especially if there was a skeleton. :-)
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
Your kids will know
October 28, 2008 - 21:57 ET by art341If the anointed one becomes our Dear Leader you can bet your bippy that kids of four and five will know what those movies are all about.
like the vincent price
October 29, 2008 - 10:52 ET by patmac49like the vincent price classic house on haunted hill...
Gag me
October 28, 2008 - 15:27 ET by acumenIn all fairness to the AP I understand the movie later did help shape some of President Clinton's firmness in the oval office.
Clinton
October 28, 2008 - 15:35 ET by Michael M. BatesYes, that ministering to young people can be so very exhausting.
Gag me
October 28, 2008 - 22:21 ET by art341The question of the day was, "How many times did Nixon have to see Deep Throat before he got it down Pat?"
I remember that one, and
October 29, 2008 - 03:26 ET by Dan The Man 2I remember that one, and deep throat was totally stupid. I remember seeing it and Easy Rider and in retrospect both stink in Cinema and plot. Tailor made to a specific audience.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
saw it with my
October 28, 2008 - 15:28 ET by patmac49saw it with my girlfriend(now my wife of 33 yrs) at the strand theatre in keyport nj..i think that was the name of the theatre..nothing special,but it made a lot of money because few things rile me up like being told i cannot watch something because someelse does not like it and wants to control whyay i watch..talked a lot that nite because we had to stand on a long line and most people only wwent to see it because people were trying to ban it..what morons..their actions not only could not stop people from watching it,it made the producers more money than it deserved..big league morons
Best line in the movie
October 28, 2008 - 15:38 ET by I.am.DILLIGAFThe best line in the whole movie was "mind if I smoke while you eat?" and I haven't seen the movie in 35years LMAO
Guns and Violence are not the answer but they are one solution to the problem== SARG
yes..that was great!!!!!..it
October 28, 2008 - 16:05 ET by patmac49yes..that was great!!!!!..it was in the beginning when linda lovelace walks into the house...and it was probably that long since i saw the movie..maybe it was not as bad as i thought
best line in the movie
October 28, 2008 - 22:06 ET by art341My candidate is:
Linda to Harry, tearfully upon being informed of her anatomical, um, curiosity, "How would you like it if I told you your balls were in your ear?"
Harry, pause, bemused look, brightens noticeably: "Then I could hear myself coming."
This movie was shown at the student union
October 28, 2008 - 19:22 ET by geoksterat the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at least twice in my senior year there. It was free, and even had signs out front of the auditorium. Things were quite loose back then in 1973.
When historians look back at the ME-ME-ME generation of the 1960-1970s, I predict they will conclude that it was the worst thing that ever happened to this country.
One of the best training films ever made.
October 28, 2008 - 22:15 ET by art341I remember quite clearly, the early afternoom, lines of suburban housewives outside theatres showing this classic. Not a male in sight. Betcha those guys got a pleasant surprise after a hard day at the office.
I took my girlfriend to see it, or more correctly she asked me to take her. My arm did not need twisting. Well worth the price of the tickets.
Deep Throat
October 28, 2008 - 22:17 ET by Cool ArrowIt's said Richard Nixon watched that show 12 times and still couldn't get it down pat.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
~
October 28, 2008 - 22:21 ET by Free StinkerStealth puns.
Right now, the only 'film'
October 29, 2008 - 00:23 ET by TN MomRight now, the only 'film' Americans want to see is:
Video of Obama Toasting Former PLO Operative Khalid, at Jew Bashing Dinner, but the LA TIMES refuses to release it.
I wonder why?
this film will have to
October 29, 2008 - 00:25 ET by dark_dsthis film will have to do