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If the name Dian Hanson rings a bell for you nowadays, it may be because she’s a senior editor and writer for Taschen, the gold-standard, high-end book publishing company, where she has over 50 books to her credit. In fact, she’s also the so-called head of the company’s Sexy Book division where she’s overseen impressive and weighty tomes that include The Art of Pin-Up, The Book of Butts, Breasts, Legs, and Pussy, The History of Men’s Magazines, lavishly illustrated books by Roy Stuart, Robert Crumb, Tom of Finland, and many, many more, including a Vanessa Del Rio book that remains the greatest-ever volume dedicated to an adult film star. Perfect for your coffee table, if your coffee table needs some hardcore pornography.
But as much as I wanted to hear about Dian’s life in book publishing, it is her life before Taschen that really intrigued me.
You see, Dian was at the heart of the wild and crazy men’s magazine scene in the New York of the 1970s and 80s, a world that overlapped heavily with adult films in that period. At the heart of her professional career lay a partnership with another larger-than-life character inhabiting that world – a writer, bon vivant, political activist, visionary, and rake called Peter Wolff. For ten years, Peter and Dian blazed across almost every New York adult film magazine you can think off, leaving a trail of new ideas, busted budgets, and creative visions that broke the mold of what a men’s magazine could, and should, be.
From Partner to Oui, Adult Cinema Review, Harvey, Hooker, and Exposé, Peter and Dian were the Bonnie and Clyde of sex magazines, tearing their way through an antiquated and outdated business, reinventing it by involving readers and breaking down the barriers between those who appeared in the magazines and those who read them. If Neil Armstrong hadn’t been the first on the moon, someone else would’ve taken his place, but if Dian and Peter hadn’t done their thing, well… the magazine landscape would have been very different.
Together they worked for mob-related figures, promoted golden age porn films – and porn stars, and were fired by every title and every publisher in town – somehow managing to enhance their reputations as creative and innovative trailblazers and yet destroy their own job prospects at the same time.
Along the way, Dian worked on Puritan, Juggs, and Leg Show too, as well as founding other magazines, like Outlaw Biker, Hawgs, Big Butt, Bust Out, and Tight.
In this first episode of my interview with Dian, I discovered that her formative years, including her upbringing with a father who was a supreme grand master in a sex-magic cult, was every bit as dramatic, exciting, frightening as what came next.
This podcast is 73 minutes long.
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Dian Hanson – In Pictures
All captions by Dian.
Dian’s father, USO magician, aged 16
Dian, 1952, with mom providing the censorship
Dian, aged 2
Family reunion, with crying Dian and her father, aged 5
Dian, the tallest child in the class (middle back)
Dian, the uncooperative interview subject, with brother and a dog she found
With one of the many kittens, age 6
Dian, aged 8, with a bird she rescued
Christmas, Dian far right, aged 10
Dian miserable at 11
Family Christmas, Dian aged 13, second from right
With Vidal Sassoon haircut, aged 14
*
Oh boy – I can;t wait for this one. I have been an admirer of Dian’s for many years – since her Leg Show days in fact… when I sued to correspond with her – and she has always been this mysterious, elegant, and independent figure that I have admired.
The fact that the story is told over several episodes has made my summer! THANKS!!!
Another wonderful interview. I still have a few issues of Leg Show & Harvey. I was not aware of Dian’s role in those publications or with the Taschen publishing house. Her insights regarding Plato’s Retreat in the film, “American Swing” is my first awareness of her presence in the industry. Looking forward to Part II.
Stoked to see this appear on the website. The fact that you cover ALL the different aspects of the XXX business from the golden age is what makes TRR so great and indispensable. Exhaustive, human, and informative. Truly a triumph, and one of the things that makes the internet a good place sometimes.
Wow very interesting story. I only have good memories of you
Can’t wait to SAVOUR this! Thank y’all
Oh boy, I’m used to becoming emotional when listening to these interviews but wow, the story of her early years hit hard.
Beautifully and sympathetically presented as always.
Awesome Article And Podcast Keep Up Good Work I Like Dian Hanson Write Pinup Magazine From The 70s 80s And Early 90s Including Danni Ashe
What wild and tragic story and can’t wait for part II the good times
Wow… that was unexpected! What a crazy ride Dian endured. I want to pay tribute to the way she told this story (and also give credit to THE RIALTO REPORT) for the sensitive and intelligent way this stroy was presented and told. What could have been an exploitative life story was in fact recounted in an engrossing and compelling way. It was utterly fascinating and I cannot wait to hear what happened next.
All credit to those involved.
Excellent!!! Really interesting.
STANDING OVATION FOR YOU, DIAN HANSON! WHAT A STORY!
Howie Gordon here, the ghost of Richard Pacheco. You were kind enough to give me some sage advice back when I was chasing a publisher for my autobiography (HINDSIGHT – True Love & Mischief in The Golden Age of Porn) some years ago and I very much appreciated it. THANK-YOU!
. . . AND IT’S BEEN TRULY STUNNING TO LISTEN TO THIS RIALTO REPORT AND HEAR THE STORY OF THE HORSE THAT YOU RODE IN ON!!! I HAD NO IDEA!
Ashley, you continue to AMAZE. THE RIALTO REPORT CONTINUES TO BE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL. You’ve certainly earned your place in the pantheon of those whose involvement in the world of pornography has transcended the genre. Good on you! And DIAN HANSON, I, ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHERS I AM SURE, WILL BE
EAGERLY AWAITING THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF YOUR JOURNEY!
A shout-out to the photos!! Love, love these – and Dian’s pithy comments.
They are the icing on the cake. Thanks Dian!
A first class interview. Genuinely engrossing and high quality.
You did it yet again, RR (as if there was any doubt)!
I’d NEVER want to meet many of the folk you profile, but their lives are far richer than my humble little existence.
Has Dian written an autobiography? I never want this interview to end!
Absolutely fascinating and I’m so glad Dian shared her life with is. I was also tickled to hear some Moby Grape!
Dian Hanson may be the most interesting person ever.
I LOVE this – and could listen to her talk to Ashley all week long.
Such a wonderful listen. I was worried this might be a commercial for Taschen (which I love) but instead it’s the genuine and warm fireside chat between an amazing woman and an intelligent and curious interviewer. More please…!
Heartwrenching. Compelling, fascinating. A world class interview, can’t wait for Chapter II. This has just been Christmas in summertime, thank y’all for this 🕊❤
An epic story. Cathartic to tell it, I hope.
You’re made of some stern stuff, Dian.
Thank you to all for these kind comments. Yep, it’s been one hell of a life, with a daunting start, but as my buddy Arnold Schwarzenegger says, “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strength.” You’ll see in the following episodes just how true that is.
Don’t know why Ashley edited the caption on that shot of me at age 12, btw. The guy grabbing me went on to multiple prison sentences for child molestation. My parents had bad taste in friends.
Dian – I can only echo the many other comments: this is an inspirational and moving story. I was completely caught up in your telling and was rooting for you and your dignified and intelligent manner. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. I know I have read that you have turned down other opportunities to tell your full story and so I am grateful that you finally consented to speaking to Ashley in what is clearly such a sympathetic setting.
It seems that you already have many many fans, and not many, many people who are eagerly awaiting the next installment! Thank you again.
Ashley, another great podcast and I cannot wait to hear Part 2. Quick question though, is that Nanci Griffith on the end fade out song? She has long been one of my favorites.
Yes – it is Nanci Griffith with a Bob Dylan cover!
I’m absolutely gobsmacked. This is wild and riveting stuff.
I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Thank you, Ashley.
What a strange, specific story, so thoughtfully told — and this is only the first part! Thank you, Dian and Ashley.
Complete Legend. Love all your works. Especially the Taschen Period. Stay Cool & Ciao.
What an incredible interview. So courageous of Dian to be so honest and forthright in what is obviously a very traumatic upbringing and teenage life. Can’t wait for Part 2.
Perhaps the mot interesting podcast interview I’ve heard. But how could it not be… with a subject as fascinating as Dian and an interviewer as sympathetic as Ashley. First class!
Thanks Dian! Big fan from the Leg Show days so this is sheer gold for me.
Thank you as always for such a thoughtful interview that lets the subject have their own voice. I’m not familiar with Dian, but she so powerfully tells her story I almost feel like I was there too. Such a strong, brave person. The photo of her father looks so otherworldly, which does so much to set up what Dian tells us. The final moments where she confronts just what her parents wasted so much of their lives on are very powerful.
What I find beautiful about this interview is the construction of the storytelling – the end of the episode with Dian confronting the physical church building after the death of her mother and finding it to be tawdry and sad is very moving and poignant.
Thank you Dian for making a difficult story so very uplifting and positive. A rare feat, and I enjoyed it greatly.
I’ve been waiting all week for the second episode… excited to hear the next part!!!
So Brave and Honest
Man, she’s been through the mill and come out just fine. Love her attitude. Interesting story, now on to part two. Thanks guys.
First class podcast about a great editor and I never use the word great lightly.