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The Rialto Report is 100 episodes old today.
When I first had the idea of doing a golden age adult film podcast, I realized it was a pretty specialized and niche subject area. But I thought that the real history of this time had never properly emerged, and I wanted to provide a place where it could be told by the pioneers, in an unfiltered way. Good or bad.
I read somewhere that the average number of podcasts that people put out is 7. I figured I was good for 4, and if I really tried, maybe I could kick it up to 6. Good enough, I thought. Let’s do it.
At that stage, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I sure as heck knew what I didn’t want to do.
Firstly – I didn’t want it to be commercial: so that meant no ads, no promotions, no banners. I hate ’em. I’m sure you do too. Everything should be free in life.
Secondly – I only wanted this podcast to feature people who were actually there, in the trenches of the business, taking the risks, suffering the consequences or enjoying the spoils – their voices have been neglected over the years, and I wanted to hear from them. That meant no bloggers, academics, or cultural commentators. The world has too many opinions right now. I just want real stories.
And finally – I wanted no me. Nothing about me, or indeed nothing about any other host of this show. This isn’t about the presenter, it’s about the subject. Most of the time, I just want to get out of the way.
Except for this episode. On this 100th podcast, I want to look back at some of the favorite moments from the last 99. And tell you stories behind how we got anyone to agree to an interview in the first place. Sometimes, I can’t believe we did. In fact, I have no real idea who listens to this. But you’re listening. And I’m happy to have you here.
We’re 100 episodes old today. We made it past 7. So come on let’s celebrate. This is for you and me.
This episode is 141 minutes long.
The music playlist for this episode can be found on Spotify.
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This episode, featuring highlights from the last 99 podcasts, includes:
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Rhonda Jo Petty: Happiness is the Truth (podcast 68) Rhonda’s candid and moving interview covers her difficult upbringing, her entry into the adult business in 1970s California, and how she’s found peace on a ranch in Arizona. Originally aired April 16, 2017 |
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George Payne: Wild Man of Porn (podcast 2) George appeared in many New York adult films – both straight and gay – and straddled the film and video era too. And he could really act; his performances seethe with a nervous, unpredictable energy. Originally aired March 10, 2013 |
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Paul Thomas: The 10 Provocations of PT (podcasts 88 & 89) Why did Philip Toubus – brought up in financial privilege and with recognized performing talent – enter the porn industry? Our interview tries to get at answers – and hold PT’s healthy ego in check. Originally aired February 17, 2019 |
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Uschi Digard: SuperSoul (podcast 19) Uschi Digard was an indestructible, formidable pin up beauty who was emblematic of the sexual revolution in California. From the late 1960s through to the early 1980s, she was in hundreds of magazine spreads, had many issues dedicated to her, and appeared in countless softcore films. Originally aired August 25, 2013 |
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Jeanne Silver: Real Wild Child (podcast 8) For a time in the 1980s, Jeanne was a regular in New York adult films and a featured dancer at the Melody Burlesk Theater – but her life started on the other side of the country in Arizona where she was born and grew up with the stigma of having part of her foot and leg amputated at an early age. Originally aired April 28, 2013 |
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George McDonald: The First Adult Film Star (podcast 54) George McDonald was an adult film star at a time when there were no adult film stars. He started in the era of short, silent 8mm films and saw first hand the progression to full-length pornographic features within a couple of years. Originally aired September 6, 2015 |
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R. Bolla: Adult Film’s Method Actor (podcast 12) Robert Kerman, star of Debbie Does Dallas and scores of porn films in the 1970s and 1980s, talks about his life as a struggling actor in New York, driving a cab to make ends meet, his move into adult film work, and how he nearly broke into the mainstream. Originally aired June 2, 2013 |
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Helga Sven: Her Mystery. And Her Fan. (podcast 21) Helga’s story includes tales of mid-1980s video porn, the Vegas mob, Stalin’s Red Army, John Holmes, child abduction, Frank Sinatra, arson, attempted murder, and Candy Samples. Originally aired September 22, 2013 |
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Jeff Stryker: Porn’s Enigmatic Star (podcast 26) Tales of Jeff’s upbringing, his start as a male stripper, delivering balloon-o-grams, meeting John Travis, Matt Sterling and Chuck Holmes and entering the adult film business, the success of films like Powertool and Jamie Loves Jeff, his notorious shower scene in Stryker Force and his escape from the public eye. Originally aired December 1, 2013 |
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Jennifer Welles: The Lady Vanishes (podcast 3) Jennifer Welles breaks a 35 year silence to speak publicly about her life and career in adult films. Originally aired March 17, 2013 |
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Marty Hodas: King of the Peeps (podcast 38) Marty introduced peep show machines into Times Square – creating the basis for the adult film industry, and changing the face of New York in the process. Originally aired June 29, 2014 |
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Marlene Willoughby: New York’s Archetypal Porn Star (podcast 42) Marlene Willoughby was the archetypal 1970s New York adult film actress – which was strange as she is a Polish / Italian Catholic from Detroit. She acted in controversial off-off Broadway plays, had a successful modeling career, and in 1975 entered the adult film industry. Originally aired October 12, 2014 |
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Radley Metzger – 1971 (podcast 73) We go back to 1971 to hear from pioneering filmmaker Radley when he was in the middle of making movies, and culture and times were so different. Originally aired September 24, 2017 |
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Henri Pachard: When He Was Ron Sullivan (podcast 66) But back in the 1960s, Henri Pachard was just Ron Sullivan, and he was a young filmmaker in New York City trying to learn about filmmaking any way he could. He was part of a small group of pioneering and revolutionary filmmakers that helped create the modern day adult film industry. Originally aired November 20, 2016 |
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‘More, More, More’: The Search for Andrea True, and the Creation of a Disco Sensation (podcast 69) In the 1970s, Andrea True was a rarity. She was a porn star that many people had heard of – even if they knew nothing about porn. She belonged to a select group of adult film actors whose names were widely known for a short time: Linda Lovelace, Marilyn Chambers, John Holmes, and yes, Andrea True. Originally aired May 21, 2017 |
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Christy Canyon: A Twelve O’Clock Girl in a Nine O’Clock Town (podcast 90) Christy Canyon talks about her life as a pioneering performer at start of the video age of adult films and how she’s still going strong in the industry today. Originally aired April 28, 2019 |
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John Stagliano: Truth and Reality (podcast 92) John started out in the mid 1970s as – take your pick – an aspiring writer, economist, dancer, magazine publisher, actor, and performer in sex loop. He then turned himself into one of the most successful developers of adult film of all time. Originally aired November 10, 2019 |
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Jerry Butler: Young, Wild and Wonderful (podcast 37) Jerry’s book – Raw Talent – was named after his best-known film, which told the story of a talented but struggling actor who gets sucked into making porn films, winning the fame he craved, but losing himself along the way. It was almost like porn was imitating real life. Except Jerry’s real life was more extraordinary and crazy than anything he played on the big screen. Originally aired June 8 2014 |
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Roberta Findlay: A Respectable Woman (podcast 53) Roberta had a long career in film spanning several completely different eras: from the 1960s black and white films of her husband Michael Findlay, to the soft core films she made on her own for Alan Shackleton in the early 70s, to the long sequence of hardcore films she made with famed New York music studio owner, Walter Sear, and finally the horror films that she directed in the late 80s. Originally aired August 16, 2015 |
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Billy Dee: Porn Again Christian (podcast 56) Everybody we talked to from the golden age loved Billy Dee. Directors loved him because he came prepared to deliver his lines and could always get wood. Actresses loved him because he was handsome, kind and a talented sexual partner. Actors loved him because he didn’t hog a scene and was fun to grab a beer with. Originally aired November 15, 2015 |
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Al Goldstein: Screw, Midnight Blue, and Fuck You (podcast 31) Al Goldstein, the founder of Screw magazine, helped break down legal barriers against pornography and raged against politicians, organized religion and anything that suggested good taste. Originally aired February 23, 2014 |
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Jamie Gillis: New York Beginnings (podcast 25) Jamie Gillis is the adult film actor whose career started in 1971 and spanned the next 35 plus years, including memorable performances in films such as The Opening of Misty Beethoven, The Story of Joanna, The Seduction of Lyn Carter, and Neon Nights. Originally aired November 17, 2013 |
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Whatever Happened to Candy Samples? (podcast 55) Candy was in black and white cheesecake photo sets from the late 1960s, thousands of magazine appearances, and scores of films – from softcore to hardcore, from loops to catfight wrestling shorts. Her staggering physique made her an instant favorite, and for many years she toured as an exotic dancer. Somehow she just seemed to get better with age. Originally aired October 18, 2015 |
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Keli Richards: Coming Out Of The Shadows (podcast 84) Keli Richards’ career in adult films was short and sweet. Her flame burned brightly at a time when Ronald Reagan was president, video was king, and Los Angeles was staking a claim to be the adult film capital of the world. Then Keli recently decided to make an adult industry comeback after three decades. Originally aired October 14, 2018 |
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Avon Films: Phil Prince’s Story (podcast 87) Phil Prince was the director of several notorious Avon adult films. He was also a live sex show former, a friend of the Irish gang the Westies, and a convicted criminal from when a loan collection went wrong. Originally aired November 15, 2015 |
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Johnnie Keyes: The Man Behind The Green Door (podcast 59) Johnnie Keyes was the first black porn star, and from the moment he emerges in Behind the Green Door(1972), dressed in nothing but crotchless tights and an African necklace, nothing was quite the same again.. Originally aired March 13, 2016 |
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Randy Spears: Hear My Prayer (podcast 96) Randy was a good-looking guy with solid acting chops and a talent for comedy, and he made close to 2000 adult movies between 1988 and the early 2010s. Randy’s is a tale of porn and love, drugs and jail, death and God. Originally aired March 8, 2020 |
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‘Deep Sleep’ (1972): How a Suburban Porno Set Off a Massive Federal Witch Hunt (podcast 52) In 1972, Alfred Sole, a first time filmmaker, made an X-rated film called ‘Deep Sleep’. The production went on to face state and federal prosecution and placed many of those involved – including the film’s lead actress Kim Pope – in danger. Originally aired July 25, 2015 |
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Congratulations guys – this really is an amazing accomplishment!
The quality has been of the highest order, and the entertainment has been unparalleled.
Please…. 100 more!!!
Thank you so much Jake!
Love reading about the 70’s in San Francisco. became friends with Dorothy LeMay when she was working at Alex Derenzy’s screening Room and just getting started on her career, I have written before, I hope someday you will locate her for an Interview
Few websites/podcasts have given me as much pleasure as TRR.
You deserve every accolade, and praise, and congrats….
WELL DONE!!!!
We so appreciate that Lea Jane!
Happy 100th episode podcast keep up the good work
Thanks for always being so supportive Jeff!
This is THE Definitive History and Official Archive of the Golden Era of Porn…truly a National Treasure…thank you for all of your efforts from over the years and creating this Time Capsule of Erotica…
Thanks Matt!
The gold standard by which all other adult film historians should be measured.
Or rather, all other film historians.
Congratulations to all concerned. Phenomenal and moving.
Thanks so much Sam!
Rather than going over the top with complements, I just want to point out the number of people we’ve heard from who have since passed on and whom we’d never have heard from with The Rialto Report….
Phil Prince, Johnny Keyes, George McDonald, Jerry Butler, Jamie Gillis, and on and on.
Thank you for this.
Thanks for listening Shaun!
Proud to have been here since the very start. Much love and appreciation to you guys (and to all the enjoyable work you’ve put out there)!
Congratulations on 100 pods! Here’s to 100 more and beyond!
Thanks Richard!
I’m only an hour in, and I’ve already been moved almost to tears a few times… thanks, I think!?!
Aw, thanks Kay!
Listening to Keli Richards’ story, I wish she was connected with some of her peers i.e., Sharon Mitchell and/or Nina Hartley who could give her honest insight on how to both deal with her inner battles and her interest in returning to the adult industry.
I know that could be a lot for anyone to take on, but it seems like a lot of the men and women of this industry dealt with similar life issues; and to be in touch with a living, daily survivor as a resource could give them an honest no-BS perspective they really need to assist with their personal struggles and guide them on better paths.
Congratulations! This is wonderful news from wonderful people! You and April have created something that is not only important, but vital. Thank you for bringing heart, class, and objectivity to everything you touch.
Thank you so much Heather – we so appreciate you and your work so your words mean a lot!
Congrats on a successful podcast series. I got into listening to Rialto early on and I enjoy the content. Hands down, my favorite episode was with Barbara Dare. I’m curious to know which subjects have declined to be interviewed.There are still a lot of people alive from the Golden Age, with a lot of untold stories. Best of luck in the future.
We so appreciate it In Sin!
Looking over the roster of porn actors and directors that you somehow got to open up about their X rated pasts is quite remarkable, especially considering how many have passed on. Besides a few penning memoirs, in hindsight your very timely initiative in starting the Rialto has collected a ton of invaluable history of America’s cultural/sexual history that could have easily evaporated into the ether. You say it is all free, but it seems priceless to me.
Mikey’s observation concerning “a ton of invaluable history of America’s cultural/sexual history” resonates deeply with me. While it’s obvious that the collection of interview subjects hardly provides a representative cross-section of the America of their times, one is struck by the varied origins, orientations and experiences of the talent in the GAoP adult film industry, and how often the early personal psychology, including sexuality, of its participants paralleled that of people who never entered the industry living through those same times, so very different from our world today.
We think about that all the time SG!
Thank you so much for those kind words Mikey!
Congratulations on reaching 100 podcasts, Rialto Report. This compilation of stories from the podcasts is a great way to mark the milestone. I have noticed that most are on the personal side, which I completely understand. The one story I always think of in connection with these interviews is Veronica Vera’s account of meeting her husband and dealing with his death. It is so sad and touching. May there be many more podcasts to come.
My wish list of interviewees is long, but the top names on the list are Leslie Bovee, Lisa Deleeuw, Dorothy LeMay, and Darby Lloyd Rains. After seven years of publishing podcasts and articles and many more years of gathering information, it is likely that you have reached out to all of them at some point if they have contact information. One can hope that an interview will happen. I am also appreciating the branching out into the video era of adult films for recent podcasts. Maybe the quality of the films during that period is not as high, but the performers do have interesting stories to tell.
Thank you so much Jeff!
HAPPY CENTENNIAL!
Feeling pretty good for 100! 🙂
For someone like myself who loves the backstory and behind the scenes intrigue of the golden age of porn, your podcast and articles have been a wealth of information. The statement at the end of this podcast, “we might do one more or a few more” was a bit ominous. I hope you are around for at least 100 more!
Thanks so much Phil!
Amazing work! Never miss an episode.
We really appreciate that Timothy!
Ashley and April, you are so knowledgeable and craftsmanlike–but above all, I love the generosity, kindness, and respect with which you conduct yourselves, and your openness and interest in the lives of other human beings.
Your words mean a lot Anthony – thank you!
Happy 100!!
You’ve been required listening for me since I happened upon you while searching for interviews with Georgina Spelvin. I started listening “live” with Richard Pacheco’s episode (still my favorite along with Veronica Hart’s), backtracked to episode 1 and have listened to every episode since, some several times.
This episode is a great primer for those seeking a sample and the choice of music, as always, is impeccable.
Holly Randall’s podcast is the gold standard for the modern day adult industry; you are for the golden age. I grew up on actual adult “films,” not loops, not vignettes, not clips, and you perform an invaluable service for those of us who look back on that time, the movies, the stars, and the directors with fondness.
So glad you found us Jim. Thank you so much for listening!
Congratulations on your 100 podcast. I love your podcast and all you do. You are always an informative and enjoyable read or listen. Keep up the great work 🎈🎈🎈
Thanks so much Tara!
Thank goodness for The Rialto Report, thank you Ashley & April – your contributions are priceless, incredibly well researched and a joy to learn & reminisce.
As a consumer, The Rialto Report offers the consumer (me), A real VIP backstage ,fly on the wall experience for which I am very grateful for.
Thank you very much & keep em coming – sorry for the pun LOL
Thank you Tracifan!
I discovered the site three years ago, and have looked forward ever since to Monday mornings. Coming of age to 70s/80s adult movies, I always wondered who the Humans of Adult were in their real lives. Your documentay and interviewing prowess wildly succeed in bring out your subjects’ humanity and stories. Thank you April and Ashley for your valuable work in documenting the history of adult (and the lives/adventures of its players) for posterity – looking forward to more Monday morning podcasts/articles ahead!
We’re so grateful that you continue to tune in Lex – thank you!
Happy 100th. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Perry!
I enjoyed this immensely, and suspect that this will stand for years as one of the definitive statements in the field of cinema history. I can think of no other artifact that truly conveys the experience of the adult film participator… whether director, actor, or adult business owner – this is all reflected in the most moving manner imaginable. This deserves to be kept and studied for years to come. It transcends XXX and film – and reveals a humanity that is humbling.
Thanks to whoever assembled this. A legacy achievement.
We are so grateful for your words DHD – thank you!
I loved this until the last few seconds… when Ashley said that the podcasts would not continue for ever, and then I panicked… No….! Please don’t condemn me to a life of listening to dumb academic-fan commentaries on the latest DVD releases….!!!!
As long as there are good stories to tell Anon, we will aim to keep telling them!
I had to laugh at the intro: “no academics, no bloggers, no cultural commentators”.
God bless The Rialto Report.
Thank you Paul!
I too would say thanks for a great job and keep up the good work. Having been in school in NYC during the golden age I saw some of those films and attended the old Show World and the Melody. Any chance you two could come up with interviews of 3 major stars of the era: Desiree Cousteau, Jessie St. James and Bridgette Monet?
Thanks Tom. We’ll keep doing our best.
Congratulations on 100 episodes. Ever since I found your site, I diligently come back every Sunday to see what’s new. I am never disappointed. April and Ashley, you’ve done a wonderful job! Thank you.
Thank you so much for sticking with us Art!
Fabulous! Congratulations on all your work.
Thanks Tony!
Anxiously awaiting the 200th episode celebration.
We’d better get to work then!
FANTASTIC, RR!
You’re my spirit animal. 🙂
Thank you for always being so supportive JWP!
Well, I’ve stumbled a few times, but much appreciated.
Congrats on#100 I don’t know how I stumbled upon this podcast but I’ve enjoyed it immensely. And I hold you have 1 or 2 more left in you. Thank You Ashley and April
Thank you J.D.!
What a gift this is to hear history as told by the people who created it. Such wonderful reporting by both Ashley and April.
Please, please find more stories to tell!
We appreciate that Rob!
Ashley & April, You are the absolute best! I look forward to your content every Sunday! Congratulations on 100 episodes and I hope you have 100 more in you! Your personal anecdotes to set up the podcast clips were great! As someone who has a connection to the current industry in LA (I provide medical care to many folks in the adult industry), I am fascinated by the history and evolution of the industry and the actors who paved the way.
Do you think you’ll ever get Lisa De Leeuw to interview? Would also love to hear from more of the early male performers like Jesse Adams, Mike Ranger, Blair Harris, Scott Irish, Craig Roberts, etc.
Thanks again for what you do and doing it with such class and integrity!
James
Thank you so much James. We’ll keep trying!
I rarely listen to any other podcasts. But I always catch The Rialto Report.
Such a simple idea. You are the custodians, researchers, occasional detectives of a real oral history. Always human, never phony. There are many other cultural genres that could follow your lead.
What everyone else has said. Thank you Ashley and April!
Thank you Ron!
All the VERY best to you guys, you provide an oasis for cinema lovers like myself. I can’t thank you enough. Here’s to the next 100! You’ve really given me and many others the real details behind these classics. BRAVO!
Thanks for that Gary!
I am a minister. For reasons I cannot now recall, I listened to The Rialto Report for the first time in late 2018. I cannot rightly claim to be a porn aficionado or really someone enthusiastic about pornography. It is a reaIity in the world, a human endeavor. I am intensely interested in people. And so, I appreciate The Rialto Report’s writing and podcasts.
You bring forward the humanity of everyone you write about and speak with. Listening to and reading the stories of the lives of so many porn performers, hearing their honest takes on working in “the industry,” both good and bad, has been very enlightening for me. As you might expect, I particularly enjoy hearing about the faith and loss of faith of the porn actors, pre-career, mid-career, and post-career.
I don’t think of myself as a judgmental person, which is why I have been willing to listen to some interviews and read many articles. As Robert Kerman said when talking about God and the possibility of life: “terrible to be expunged.” Thank you, Ashley and April for the work you do.
We’re so grateful for your thoughtful comments D.S.!
Dear April & Ashley, congrats on your 100TH. You’ve created an archive full of great stories meticulously researched and covered. Your hard work on your subject matter is very evident in your essay submissions and podcasts. Had noted Ashley’s comments at the end of the podcast with being unsure of what the future holds for the ”report”. Hope you have a little more ”left in the tank” as I’ve thouroughly enjoyed your work which you’ve presented with such professionalism and humility. I’ve found regardless of who you’ve interviewed or the essay written – the subject matter had very little to do with sex – these are human stories with real people peeling back the package they present and revealing their true selves and vulnerabilities. Thank you for giving them that platform and your listeners/readers a front row seat.
Best Wishes April & Ashley.
Michael R. Toronto, ON. CA.
Thank you so much for your comments Michael – we’re really touched by them!
Congratulations on 100 episodes of the Rialto Report.
I am slightly boggled that I initially decided against linking to you on my [public] Adult Bookmark page. I thought using the Internet for audio content was a waste of time. {Full disclosure mandates I inform you, at my abode, the internet connection is still v.92. So I have to go outside somewhere to download the podcasts. To be terse, some of the venues whose broadband connection was used to harvest them would not approve of this use if they knew about it. Therein lies another extant problem for people interested in this topical content.}
But you eventually had a discussion with somebody in whom I was interested, and I decided to give it a shot.
Madon. I was really blowing it. I thought I was slightly more knowledgable compared to others on erotic movies and videos. That may still be the case, but I have learned so much more due to the Rialto Report. Thank you so much for all the reportage you have done.
Thank you for listening to us, roadblocks and all!
So much more than a greatest hits package, #100 tells it’s own fascinating story. And good golly Miss Molly, as fine a job as you do blending the music with the story this goes above and beyond in that regard. Nobody does it better, and this is the best.
Thank you so much for your work and regularly reminding me how good the internet can be.
Congratulations on your milestone. Here’s to another 100.
Tom
Congratulations on hitting the 100 episode milestone. This is a wonderful resource for those of us who love film and love the golden age of adult movies. It is really important to have the voices of the performers, directors and crew preserved as first person testimony. We are all still waiting for that elusive CJ Laing interview. Keep up the good work.
Having listened to every podcast, this was a great re-cap. I found myself wishing I could hang out with any number of the the interviewees. Many seem to have this incredible quality of resilience & serendipity to persevere in life despite huge odds. George McDonald, Christy Banyon & Ginger Lynn are “regular Joes”. Buddies you can count on. So glad their narratives have been preserved & curated.
Thank you Zack!
Sorry, Christy CANYON
What a great retrospective! Ashley and April bring so much class and insight to a subject generally seen as anything but classy. Here’s to a 100 more!
Thanks so much Gregg!
This is awesome and I am so happy for you…You always make it comfortable when speaking with you and April. Congratulations!! You deserve all the recognition for bringing many of the entertainers alive that thought they had nothing to offer.