When Jamie Gillis passed away in 2010, he left a collection of meticulously organized files.
In amongst personal documents, carefully preserved museum brochures, long-forgotten college essays, and many letters of polite complaints (his correspondence to Dunkin’ Donuts, lamenting their quality of service, is a particular highlight), are many scrapbooks of photographs.
The hundreds of photos come in all formats – black and white Polaroids, color Instamatic snapshots, photo booth strips.
They are nearly all taken by Jamie himself, are mostly of lovers – male and female, and many are sexual in nature.
They capture intimate and off-guard moments with partners, show casual sexual encounters with anonymous hookers and transsexuals, and document relationships with girlfriends such as actresses Serena, Juliet Graham, and Lysa Thatcher. Often Jamie annotated individual photos with dates and names.
The Rialto Report is pleased to present a selection of these pictures, many of which feature adult film performers of the 1970s.
It is a fascinating, candid, and voyeuristic record of a unique life.
Note: Where the photos were captioned by Jamie, his narrative has been added below the relevant photo.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Serena…
Carter Stevens…
Lesllie Bovee…
Valerie Marron…
Ming Toy…
January 9, 1976
Helen Madigan…
Joe Middleton shoot – March 6, 1973
Jamie Gillis, Self-Portraits…
October 6, 1969
Lorraine Alraune…
Jean Jennings…
January 1976
Joey Silvera…
Vanessa del Rio…
Unknowns…
August 25, 1973
Sgt Toni, early 1975
July 1973
More Jamie Gillis Self-Portraits…
January 13, 1972
September 1975
September 1976
Juliet Graham (aka Bonnie Schiffer)…
January 1975
May 1975
March 5, 1976
The Photographer…
October 1975
*
There’s a poignancy to these pictures that has always struck me as being inherent to Jamie as well. A love for life as well as a certain sadness for the passing of life.
Love these photo blogs that we are treated to via Rialto… how about a Part 2?
I know that Carter has left comments here – so if you read this Carter, who is the person in the picture with you? I’ve seen her (?) before but can’t name her. Thanks!
Wonderful pictures, very affecting.
Lisa Thatcher looks like a sweet, innocent teenager – which I guess she was. I’d love to hear the Rialto Report interview her if you can find her.
Seconded on the Lyssa Thatcher interview.
James: The lady in the picture with me is Renee my Girlfriend at the time. She was also my Script Girl and went on to be a major Union Script girl on such Oscar winning films as Tootsie, Moon Struck and many others.
Leslie Bovee was so smoking Hot !!!
Met him in israel in 64 – searched for him before using his birth name – found him today dec 11 2021 – spent months with him – he owes me 75$ – somehow – he was important to me
These are so touching. Bringing a lump to my throat. Jamie, you are so missed. I would like to read all the writing, too.
So moving. I especially love the off-guarded, personal quality. Outstanding are the shots of Serena. And also of Jamie in drag! He looks so happy–and pretty. Once more, you succeed on bringing an unseen side of adult performers to light.
Such a lovely look back through the eyes of a very complex man. Am I the only one who wishes we could see the books on the shelves in his apartment? I imagine his reading was wide, circuitous, and idiosyncratic. Also, Serena, if you are reading this, the candid shots of you were very sweet and charming. Again, many many thanks to Ashley and the Rialto Report for your great work in preservation and your generosity in sharing with us.
I second your wish to see Jamie’s books. The only title I can make out is “Van Gogh “.
Thanks Rialto!
What can I say – another treasure in the history of film. Lifted from the Rialto Report – Thank you very much for sharing with us!
Beautiful and sad at the same time. All things must pass 🙁
The brunette above Sgt Toni, early 1975 photo is just gorgeous and she looks so familiar. She has a Mediterranian Edwige Fenech thing. Any of you has any idea of who is she?
You mean below Sgt Toni?
Very great article! Jamie must have lived a fascinating life, a shame he’s no longer with us. The picture just below the unknowns caption, the woman looks familiar, but i believe the guy is Don Fernando, he was in Taboo in a scene with Juliet Anderson. I could be wrong..
Fascinating!!- Love the Serena ironing
His acting was superb in WATERPOWER.
Thanks
RIP Jamie ! a once in a century legend. what a colorful life he led. Leslie Bovee looks delectable as usual. Viva Jamie we miss you. !!
Ash AND April thank you for this and thank you for all you have done for the Golden Age !!
A delight to have yet another visit with Jamie!
Did you know Jamie well .? Thank you chris
Jamie is the true King of Porn. I love the guy.
A interesting look into Jamie’s past. Great pics!!
Totally love these photos. Viewed them late Friday afternoon when I thought I was ready to fade, but these photos lifted my spirits and renewed my energy. Thanks Ash and April and thanks Jamie. One picture really can be worth a thousand words and these pictures reveal so much about Jamie.
Wait! I just need to get something off my chest.
I need to shout it to the four winds: I LOOOOVE THE RIALTO REPORT !!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful photographs. Jamie was one of you first people to connect the surface of pornography to the unconscious. His kink was always coming from a deep place. There was something utopian about him.
Are the Unknown couple Tony Richards & Bree Anthony ?
Fascinating photos, from a fascinating man!
Amazing seeing these never before seen photos. Very real and personal.
Who was Sgt Toni ? I’m intrigued but can’t find any videos under that name .
When will the much anticipated Gillis biography see the light of day?
You are correct. It’s Don Fernando
Jamie is eternally fascinating.
I wonder if the shot of him in drag is from the same film set that John T Bone referred to meeting him on in his interview.