Orita De Chadwick: To Hell and Back, Part 1

Orita De Chadwick was an instantly recognizable figure in early Los Angeles adult films: her blonde hair, high cheekbones, and statuesque physique coupled with decent acting chops made her stand out from the rest of the porno crowd. She worked with all of the well-known names from the era – John Holmes, Candy Samples, Rick Cassidy, Antoinette Maynard, and others, doing prolific magazine and film work, as well as finding a regular sideline in bondage fetish shoots. And then there was her unusual name: did she descend from European royalty, or was there an even more outlandish explanation?

The Rialto Report looked for Orita for years before finally making contact with her at the end of last year. We arranged to speak, keen to hear about her life in the nascent California sex film scene of the 1970s, as well as finding out what she’d been up to since her retirement and subsequent disappearance from the film world around 1974.

What we didn’t expect was one of the most dramatic and shocking backstories we’ve come across. We’re grateful to Orita for sharing it with us in such a candid manner.

This is Orita’s story.

Note: This interview includes topics that some readers may find upsetting.

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1.     Orita De Chadwick – Beginnings

Where did life begin for you?

I was born in Orlando, Florida in January 1949, but I was raised in Michigan.

And what’s your ethnicity? You have such great cheekbones.

Yes, they’re high and sharp! I’m a mixture of English, Irish, Scottish, and Dutch.

What is your real name?

It’s Marian. My middle name is Orita. Actually it’s ‘O’Rita’ with an apostrophe. Some people pronounce it like the brand of frozen potatoes: ‘Ore-Ida.’ But it’s different: it has a ‘t’. I used O’rita as my ‘sign name’ when I was working in films.

What did your folks do?

I never met my father – but he was a cornet player and had his own band. Florence Chadwick was my dad’s sister – my aunt – and she was famous: I was told that she was the first woman to ever swim the English Channel.

When my mother married my father, we briefly lived in Orlando.

What was your mother’s background?

She was born in ’30 or ’31, and had been a fashion model. I still have all her portfolio pictures. She was gorgeous, blonde hair, blue eyes, and she wore a lot of rhinestones and custom jewelry.

We were both tall: 5’ 9”. As a young woman, I would wear three-inch heels, so I looked even taller.

Orita’s mother

Were you close to your mother?

It was tough. She tried to be a good mother and wife, I guess – but she struggled. She had four different husbands, and had a tough life.

We moved around a lot. She had me in Florida and then came to Michigan where she had my baby brother.

Then she got married a second time – to Dick. That was a bust.

What effect did the moving and your mom’s different marriages have on you?

Well… at 7 years old, my stepdad, Dick, started to mess with me. My mom worked nights, and so she was never around. It was just my stepdad, me, and my brother. And he did it to me every day when it was bath time. He broke me in.

I’m so sorry. That’s so terrible.

He was a very bad guy.

He was a racist too. I remember liking Johnny Mathis. I thought he was a great singer and he looked good, too. I mentioned that at home one time, and my stepfather smacked me across the room so hard, almost unconscious. “Don’t you ever talk about a n***** like that,” he said. I hated his racism.

Did you tell your mother about the abuse?

Not for years. I didn’t want to tell her because I knew she’d be mad. Eventually, when I was 12, I told my grandmother – and she told my mom.

What happened when your mother found out?

I was at choir practice at our church, and I got a call from my mom: “You need to come home right now.” And the minute I got in the door, she grabbed me, took me upstairs, and she beat my ass… fists and everything. She screamed at me until my grandfather broke the door open, and got me out of there.

My mom never believed me about what happened with Dick.

So you had no one supporting you?

No, I was too young. No one listened to me.

My aunt Sue, my mom’s younger sister, knew about it because Dick had done the same thing with her. She gave in willingly to him because she was already messed up. That was her own brother who’d done that to her.

What an awful environment to grow up in.

After a while, my mother sent me and my brother to live with my grandparents in Muskegon, Michigan. Then my grandparents moved to Ravenna to a big farm on Apple Avenue, and I lived there for a time.

Was that a safer and happier environment for you?

My grandparents were always my safe place, especially out there on the farm. I loved it. I was happy. They loved me, and they taught me skills that I would need later in life. I loved farming, the outdoors, the woods, milking cattle, everything…

And your grandparents treated you well?

Yes. They were good people. They were religious – Methodists – and they introduced me to the church.

But my mother kept pulling me out again, and so I went back to living with her. And then the abuse would continue. It was a difficult time, and I started to get into trouble.

What kind of trouble?

Just the usual petty stuff. I was acting out. But I got into some pretty bad situations, and ended up getting arrested.

Was this when you were living with your grandparents?

Yes, and this time, they decided they couldn’t do anything for me. My grandfather stood up in the courtroom, along with my mother, and they said they couldn’t control me any longer.

What was the result?

Judge White said I was a delinquent, and he sentenced me to a juvenile offenders’ hall in Muskegon.

What was that like?

It was scary. We were kept in very small rooms at night to sleep only, and the rest of the time it was all work and classes.

And, wow, that just changed my life completely. I was there for 15 months.

What happened when you were released from there?

The judge sent me away to a place called Vista Maria in Detroit, which was run by Catholic nuns and a priest.

What was that like?

Much better. That was wonderful. I had security at last. I actually thought about converting and becoming a nun.

What were conditions at Vista Maria like?

It was strict – I was in Sacred Heart Hall, a big place where you ate, slept, and studied. We got up every morning for mass and then breakfast. Then we went to school all day, and then back to mass again. But the people were kind: we called the nuns mothers instead of sisters.

I was there for two years.

Did anyone visit you while you were there?

Only once. My grandmother came to see me one time for a few hours. Apart from that, I was on my own.

When did you leave Vista Maria?

I left when I was 17 for my senior year back at school. I went back to Ravenna, Michigan. Back to my grandparents.

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2.     Sexual Slavery – Across State Lines

How did you get on when you returned home?

At first it was ok, but while I was completing my senior year, I was kidnapped and taken away.

What? What happened?

One night, I was at a place that was well-known for dancing. I love to dance and party. And I met this guy, Jerry Johnson. That’s where it happened. I was just talking to him, and he said, “Let’s go for a ride.”

And at that young age, I said, “Okay.”

What happened next?

Before I knew it, I was punched and blindfolded, and thrown into the back of his car, and driven across state lines. I ended up in South Bend, Indiana. A few days later I was moved again and taken to Gary, Indiana.

Why did Jerry Johnson kidnap you?

Jerry was the first pimp that took me. And then he sold me to a guy called Irish Jimmy. Another pimp. All older men. It was sexual slavery. It wasn’t completely uncommon at the time.

What did they do?

They sold me for sex. Simple as that.

How old were you?

17. And then 18.

Where did they hold you?

It was a cafe or a restaurant on the outside. I can’t remember the name of it. But if you went through a back door, you entered into a bar with seats and tables. That was where I was forced to meet with customers. And then, if they liked you, they’d take you upstairs. They’d pay for you… and you’d go upstairs.

You must have been terrified and shocked.

I remember the first man I went with. I gave him a blow job, the guy came, and I spit it out all over him. I didn’t know what to do with that.

And how long were you kept there?

About a year and a half. Jerry Johnson and Irish Jimmy abused me. They hurt me. I couldn’t leave the bar where they made me work for them. I couldn’t leave except to go upstairs. So that’s where I stayed. These pimps never took their eyes off me. I was afraid.

Were they violent with you?

Jimmy thought he had me hypnotized. I let him believe it because I was scared of him.

There were other girls there too. And if you didn’t do exactly what Jimmy said in the right way… if you screwed up… than you’d get hit with a clothes hanger or a tennis shoe. Anything he had handy.

All the time, I was just trying to figure out how to get away.

While all this was going on, surely your absence was noted back home: did your mother or your grandparents try to find you while that happened to you?

No, no. No one did. They all figured I just ran away.

How did you eventually escape?

Jimmy sold me to a guy named Roscoe Davis, who was a Greek. Roscoe had a girlfriend named Tina. They were a couple, but she worked for him too. They owned a hotel, so I started turning tricks for them there.

Did they treat you differently than Irish Jimmy?

They liked me, so they were kinder. We went to Vegas where we found clients at conventions and shows.

They said, “If you pay off what we paid for you, then you can go.”

How did you get free?

I didn’t realize but the FBI were doing an investigation into these sex rings, and one of the FBI agents, Frank Storey, came in posing as a trick

He revealed himself to me immediately, and said, “I’m not here for that.” He still paid me for my time because he knew I had to turn that money in to the men. But he talked to me and asked questions – so I told him everything. He told me what he was after. And after that, I started helping them.

What did that entail?

I became an informant. I didn’t want Ross and Tina to go down because they treated me better than Jerry Johnson and Irish Jimmy – but they were all part of the same package deal I had with the FBI. It was all of them or nothing.

And then, I was out of there. Rescued.

What happened next?

I had to appear in court. I was so young: I hadn’t even finished my senior year. The case revolved around these men taking me across state lines for immoral purposes. Three of them ended up going to prison: I hope Jerry Johnson and Irish Jimmy rotted there.

It didn’t ruin me. I am a survivor. That’s one thing I am.

Did your family know about the trial?

I tried to keep my grandparents away from it because I knew it would hurt them, but pretty soon they heard the news. That ruined my reputation in my hometown. Someone spread a rumor that I had left town because I got pregnant. I wasn’t accepted there any more.

And I had no contact with my mother.

What did you do back in Michigan?

I found work for a clothing manufacturer. I looked great then – I was a perfect size 10 – and so I modeled garments for the buyers as well.

Were you able to start dating?

Yes, I started seeing a local boy, Clayton, and I got engaged to marry him. We were so close, such good friends. In the end, we decided that we were better as friends, so I gave him back his ring.

We had one last night together… and I got pregnant. That was a shock. I was on the pill, too.

And so, at 20, I gave birth to Tracy.

Did Clayton know about her?

Yeah. But I told him that she wasn’t his because he was young, and I didn’t wanna screw up his life. He was just starting out in his life, too.

Did the birth of your daughter make you want to re-connect with your mom?

Yes. I got her number from my grandfather. I called her, and found that she’d moved to Fort Lauderdale with a new husband, Ray. I didn’t even know that she’d got married again. They had a house by the airport.

She let me stay with her. So my daughter was born in Fort Lauderdale.

What was Ray like?

Ray was her third husband. I thought he was the best one she ever married, but he had a drinking problem. He actually quit drinking so that he could be around my daughter. He was the only man I ever considered calling Dad. He treated me like a daughter even though I was an adult by then. He and my mom were together 12 years. They eventually got married, but three months later, he died of throat cancer.

How well were you getting along with your mother when you went back to live with her?

Not well. She tried to control me and my child. I guess she wanted a second chance to raise a child the right way, and that just didn’t work for me.

One time we’d gotten into a bad fight, and she threatened to kick me out and keep my daughter. My daughter was four months old at the time.

So I got my income tax check, got on a plane – and ended up in Los Angeles.

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3.     California-Bound

You went all the way from Florida to California?

Exactly.

And that was without your daughter at first?

Yes. I knew I couldn’t put her through that initial upheaval. My intention was to go back and get her as soon as I was ready.

What was it that made you choose California? Did you have friends there?

Nope. Didn’t know a soul. Nobody. I was all by myself.

It must have been difficult for you.

I was 21, 22. It was 1970. I didn’t know anything. I’d had no upbringing, no childhood. I didn’t have any idea where I was going to go. Didn’t have a job. Didn’t know anybody there. I just had one suitcase and an overnight bag, and that was it.

Sometimes, I wonder how I survived. I still don’t know.

What were your first impressions of Los Angeles?

It was like another country. I’d never seen anything like it.

Where did you stay when you arrived?

I checked in a motel in Hollywood, and started setting up my life.

I got a job at Sizzler the day after I got into town. I stayed in the motel for a week until I got my first paycheck and then I found an apartment.

Where was that?

Over on Fountain Avenue in Hollywood, a long street just south of Sunset Boulevard.

What was happening to your daughter during this time?

My boss was very cool. I explained the situation and he helped me out, so I was able to go back, get my daughter, and bring her back to live with me in California. That was four months after I left. My daughter was eight or nine months old by then.

Where did you both live?

I moved into a duplex, which meant I had half a house. Somebody lived on the other side who I never met. My daughter’s licensed babysitter lived across the street, so no matter how late I returned home, my girl was always with Angie. She was fantastic with my daughter. She potty trained her for me (laughs).

I miss those years. I had such good times with my daughter when she was little. The first five years of her life, we were so happy together, like a mother and daughter should be. We did everything together.

How did you make money?

I always worked, often as a server or waitress.

I worked for a couple of law firms too. One was Nelson, Leiker, and Merrifield. They did taxes, stocks, and litigation. I worked as a receptionist or secretary for three different lawyers there and I learned a lot. I enjoyed my work.

I also worked in factories for a time. Whatever it took.

Did you ever think about acting – after all, you were in the right place?

I tried out for ‘Hee Haw’ (1969). That was a new TV variety show based around country music and hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark. I met someone and they asked me to audition for the show, so I did.

How did it go?

I really was uncomfortable so I kind of blew the audition. I’d been raised on a farm, I knew how to yell for hogs, and that’s what they wanted me to do. But there were men there who made me feel uncomfortable – so I left as soon as I could. I didn’t care to be around people who made me feel uncomfortable.

Did you enjoy living in Los Angeles?

Yes. Especially because of the music scene which was awesome in those years. I hung out with a guy named Joe Giuliano, who was with ABC Records. He went to a lot of clubs and I went with him to check out the artists. Joe became a close friend and I met a lot of the guys involved in the recording scene.

I used to hang out at the Rainbow Room, which had just opened and was still a small thing. Today it’s well known. I went to a party for Elton John when he first came to America. I got to meet all the greats… The Doors, Janis Joplin, big stars like that.

It was a fun crowd and I enjoyed it.

Aside from the audition for ‘Hee Haw’, were you offered any other work in the entertainment business?

I worked for Thelma White. She’d been a silent movie actress and had an act in the early days of film with her sister – they were called ‘The White Sisters.’ This was back during World War I. Then her sister died, and she became an actress in films with Ginger Rogers. She was also in a famous film called Reefer Madness (1936).

When I met Thelma, she was an agent putting acts together out of Vegas for shows in Mexico. A guy named Raul Carbacca was behind that. I was Thelma’s Girl Friday.

Thelma White, in 1925

What did that entail?

I drove her from L.A. to Las Vegas in her Mustang every Thursday and we came back on Sundays. She was elderly by that time and she needed a cane to walk. We’d meet people in Vegas every weekend and sign contracts with them. I met a lot of people through that job, like Jerry Lewis, Red Buttons, and others. It was interesting, and it taught me about business.

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4.     Adult Magazines

How did you get into nude modeling?

I met a girl named Nancy Green. She did films and magazines. She used another name for the modeling but I don’t remember what that was. I think Green may have been her married name. She was doing nude work, and she asked me if I’d like to try. So I did. And it just went from there.

Was Nancy an agent, or was she just another model?

No, she was just another girl working at being a model. She was experienced and mature. She’d had her boobs done so she could earn more money.

What was your first experience at nude modeling like?

Let’s see. It would’ve been around 1971. It must have been for a men’s magazine. I went along, did a quick shoot – I was the only model – and the photographer gave me cash at the end. I learned that was how we always got paid: cash at the end of the session. It was very quick, very easy.

And after that, I was offered more work all the time.

Did you ever have an agent, or did you just get find out about work through word of mouth?

No, never had an agent. I never wanted that.

Did you have any reservations about doing this type of work?

No. The magazines didn’t bother me at all. It was easier for me to do that than it was for me not to do that, if you see what I mean (laughs). Basically, I made more money. And that meant I had more freedom, and more time to spend with my daughter.

Did you feel part of a new community?

Absolutely. I met other models straight away, and we all worked in job after job together. They became like family to me. We’d spend our off hours playing cards or sitting around talking, and we had a good time. Everybody just hung out, and our kids played together. Nobody talked about work. It was all about our kids and our families. We had other interests, and the modeling was just something we did sometimes. We were happy.

How would you describe yourself in those days?

I could be a wild child. I was daring. That’s the way I was. If someone dared me to do something outrageous, I would take the dare. I was known for streaking through apartment complexes for fun.

I rarely got into trouble though: I hardly drank, maybe a beer or two at the weekend or if we weren’t working for a few days, but nothing heavy. I didn’t do any drugs at all.

You often worked with another model, Antoinette Maynard – who sometimes used the name Lily Foster.

Oh yes. I haven’t heard that name for 50 years! I loved her. I called her ‘Trog’ because that’s the only way I could remember the last four digits of her phone number (laughs)! She was amazing, beautiful, and sweet.

I miss Trog. She was awesome to work with. When she wasn’t working, she was sweet and quiet… but she always had tricks up her sleeve. I always enjoyed her company. And we worked a lot together. Girl/girl, guys, everything. We kind of did it all. There wasn’t much we didn’t do.

In fact, we got a reputation for being the best at doing doubles.

‘Doubles.’ Which means…?

Two girls on one guy. Down there on the penis. She was on one side. I was on the other. One day they were shooting and this guy said, “Don’t stop that! It’s the best!” So we both went at it, and we became known for that. Her and I together, and a random guy (laughs).

Orita with Antoinette Maynard

You also did a number of S&M pictorials, including several with Antoinette. You wore long boots and you had whips. Was that something that you did in your private life?

No, no! That was just dress-up. I dreamed it all up for the camera, but I never did it for real!

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In the next part of our interview with Orita de Chadwick, she moves into adult films.

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