The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry

by Peter Pavia, Legs McNeil, Jennifer Osborne

Book Overview

As seen in Vanity Fair: A rollicking, funny, raunchy, and moving oral history of the adult film industry-from Deep Throat through today. As a recent New York Times Magazine cover story pointed out to average Americans, the adult film industry is a $10 billion-per-year business. It has infiltrated the American mainstream, with its stars showing up as mainstream TV hosts, making guest appearances in Hollywood feature films, and gracing the CD covers-and...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060096594
• ISBN13: 9780060096595
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: It Books
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 2.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Unparalleled access to first person accounts of the adult film industry

Despite weighing in at a hefty 620 pages, McNeil's book is a breeze to read through. This tome is organized into short chapters on specific subjects, spanning time from 1950 up to 1998. The Other Hollywood takes on every aspect of the porn business, starting with the (really tame and probably boring) Nudie Cuties of the 1950's, through Deep Throat as the explosive entrance of adult film in the full length feature world, the early stars like Linda Lovelace and Marilyn Chambers, the mafia involvement in the industry, a years-long sting operation on the mafia, John Holmes and the Wonderland murders, pandering trials, Traci Lords' brief and explosive career, the advent of AIDS, the rise of video and star Ginger Lynn, and into the modern day. McNeil has constructed this story entirely out of first-hand quotes from the participants. He doesn't editorialize or expound on the quotes, choosing instead to tell the story entirely through the placement of the words of different interview subjects. Often, he will have sources all discussing the same issue, so the reader can decide for himself what the generally accepted truth of the matter is. Particularly enlightening were the chapters on Linda Lovelace and Traci Lords, two stars who later said they were forced into porn. Their comments in their heyday and the comments of those around them certainly contradict their later revisionist history. The Holmes involvement in the Wonderland murders is also explained from dozens of points of view (similar to how it was done in the excellent 2003 film Wonderland). Dawn Schiller (girlfriend) and Sharon Holmes (estranged wife) provide commentary on Holmes that make the reading of this book worth it all on its own. It helps to have some basic working knowledge of the legends of the porn industry, like Lords, Lovelace, and Holmes, because there isn't unnecessary explanatory detail in this book. As someone who has only heard a few of the larger-than-life tales, this book was able to introduce me to many new subjects. The MIPORN undercover sting operation was fascinating and on-going throughout many years in the industry. It actually wreaked havoc on the lives of the undercover officers involved, one of whom became addicted to his porn-world larger-than-life personality. Another excellent treatment was of the AIDS scare in 1984, which started as Gay Related Immunodeficiency Disease (GRID). The players of the time explain their confusion about the "gay cancer," how it was spread, and what it meant to those afflicted. Holmes eventually contracted and died from AIDS. Many actors and directors also commented on the transition from film to video, which meant that shoddier, cheaper movies could be churned out faster, with less focus on plot and feature-length aspects. McNeil has made an important contribution to the historical works on the adult film industry. The main complaint of readers is the light treatment of 1990's porn and the lack of detail on the mode

Sex or no sex . . . This is a fascinating read!

The irony here is that this expansive exploration on the porn industry -- from inception (The Nudie Cuties) to a current billion-dollar industry -- isn't nearly as titillating as you would expect. It is . . . intriguing, amusing, enraging and often heartbreaking. Yet it concludes on a particularly life-affirming note involving a "rebirth", both the literal and figurative sense. You hear it from the mouths all those involved in the porn industry -- Everyone from porn stars to undercover feds to a guy who helped build peep show booths. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough . . . Not just for those interested in behind-the-scenes glimpes of the porn biz . . . But for those just as interested in observing people's alternate attempts at obtaining the ever elusive American Dream. If I had one qualm about this book . . . Its that it had to end . . . Even though (as previously mentioned) it does so on a particularly touching note.

Inside View of a Strange Business.

This is basically an oral history of the porno movie business. The authors seemed to have talked to everyone who is anybody in the business. I guess that I find myself as fascinated with what these people have to say as anyone else. It is literally one of those books you don't want to put down. At the same time, this certainly doesn't make me think that this is in any way the kind of a business in which I would like to get involved. The story comes through that these people are just people. They happen to have a somewhat strange life. To call it unsettled would be a gross understatement. Also what comes across is what I see as a strange indictment of our society. The book starts with the Nudie-Cutie movies from just after World War II. It covers the people, the movies, the story of the move from simulated sex to nearly anything goes as the laws and the attitude of the people changed. So did the world of drugs, and AIDS. The Government aspects are quite ridiculous. Do the Christian Right really think they are going to stop anything. Of course, this is presented mostly from the viewpoint of the people in the industry, so you just get one side of the story.

Poignant Interviews

I agree with all the other reviews of this book. It's a good read about the porn industry from the point of view of the people involved in it. Yes, the authors did rush through the history of the 90's a bit too quickly so I hope there will be a second book. At any rate, this one is a good addition to any historical porn collection.

Excellent and very addictive read.

Legs McNeil has done it again. I must also mention Jennifer Osbourne as well. I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I managed to make it last four days although, I could have devoured it in a day. I just hate finishing a good book. I wanted to keep reading. I enjoyed the book very much. I have a few minor complaints though...The 90's were raced through (as mentioned by others). It should have been up to present day. I mean there was another pretty major AIDS outbreak in the adult industry last year and it's not even mentioned. And I agree the online and pay-per-view adult industry should have been written about as well. This is an important part of the history of the modern Porn biz. And finally, Jenna Jameson should have at least been mentioned (her photo is in the book though). She is one of the biggest female adult stars ever. Oh well, maybe a follow volume up will clear this up. I can only dream of a second volume with more cool stories and info. All in all though, I highly recommend this book. Very well done!