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Perhaps one of the less obvious aspects of The Rialto Report is that it may lead to the impression that people involved in the adult industry forty or fifty years ago are all pretty comfortable talking about their pasts and have led serene lives, free of incident, since they stopped making sex films. After all, our podcasts and interviews are filled with people talking pretty openly about their experiences.
In fact, quite the opposite is normally the case. You see, the truth is that the majority of people we approach – actors, directors, producers – are usually rather keen to not go public with their memories. And that’s understandable: despite the length of time that’s passed since their images and names were splashed across posters and theater screens, the reality is there is still a very real stigma in current day America for something they did all those years ago. The result is that, sadly, these voices are largely absent from the selection of oral histories that we present in The Rialto Report.
So all that begs the question: why on earth did Susan Hart agree to an interview?
You see, Susan was a prolific actress in the California video explosion of the mid 1980s. She appeared in a hundred or so movies and countless spreads in men’s magazines. She had an interesting backstory too: a Latina from Los Angeles, the product of a Catholic upbringing, she joined the Army to break free. Then, she became an adult film performer and later was approached to take part in a sting operation against the sex film business. She was pretty, happy-looking, popular, and we always wondered about her.
So we sent her a letter. Little did we realize that she’d spent the last 40 years terrified that her past would catch up with her, and that her biggest nightmare was someone like us contacting her and asking her to reveal who she was, and is.
But we spoke, and Sue agreed to tell all – including exploring how she feels about it today.
She still can’t quite understand why she did adult films, but we hope she’s happy about this interview.
This podcast is 60 minutes long.
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Susan Hart: Personal Photos
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I long been a fan of Susan. We are roughly the same age and I saw some of her films back in 1984/5, and was captivated by her presence. She seemed more fun and bubbly – and exactly the kind of girl I wished I knew!
Thanks Susan. I love this interview and hope you have every happiness.
I have started listening to this and have to leave a comment already: this is a wonderfully human interview with a smart, interesting, and self-aware woman.
What a treat. Thank you.
Fascinating Part I – Looking forward to Part l II. The accompanying pictures along the shoreline look like northern Michigan. I like the curated music, as well, especially the band Y & T, “Summertime Girls” as the musical break before the Jom South section. Great job Rialto Report!
Many of the songs were Susan’s favorites from the time!
Thank you for listening Pete!
Have to admit when I saw this latest episode of my favorite podcast hit my app………. my heart skipped a beat. I never thought I would live to see an interview with la HART!!! And even more wonderful to hear how smart she is. What a lady. Can’t wait for episode 2…
Haven’t heard of Susan Hart (face is vaguely familiar) but this is already one of my favorite interviews on TRR.
Congratulations and credit to all concerned.!!!
Thank you Wayne!
Awesome Article Keep Up Good Work
Thanks as always Jeff!
Excellent as always April / Rialto . Susan could have passed as Christy Canyon’s sister in that last photo . The experiences Sue recalls about her mother’s lack of emotion , Colombian heritage , the trusting of animals instead of people , the comfort of praying the rosary , heavy stuff but deeply resonated with me personally. What an intelligent and wonderful lady , hope you find nothing but happiness Sue.
We appreciate it Isaac!
That 1st photo of her reminds me of someone I went to school with on Long Island in the early 80’s.
Thanks RR. One of my favorite performers from the 80’s.
Thanks Bob!
I remember Susan well from that era. Sometime ago I wondered what had happened to her. Thanks to RR I’m about to find out. I applaud her courage in coming forward to be interviewed. Her story has meaning.
We agree Sonny – thank you!
Excellent interview. Looking forward to Part 2! There was a Susan Hart in mainstream films and TV in the 1960s. She was a supporting actress in four popular beach movies of the era.
Thanks Jeff!
Ms April& Susan , what a beautiful time warp , and so relatable w ms susan’s life and the segue way w music . There was a “podcast awards “ lately , surely this should have taken many catergories … Thank you all and for Susan ‘s brave recollection, probably one of my favorite shoots is when she was portraying native American Indian attire… Really would like to hear more of her work with Peter North since being on the receiving end is such a “splash“ just to put in one humorous note amongst my reply… Thank you again!
We really appreciate your comment Christopher!
Moving, revealing, and informative.
Thanks to Susan Hart for being so pen and honest… and of course to Rialto without whom all these stories would be lost to history.
Thank you so much Sam!
I was leafing through a book of adult film posters at the weekend. When it was published, it was a revelation and eagerly consumed. I was struck by how amateurish and superficial it now seems since we have grown accustomed to THE RIALTO REPORT.
This interview is another stellar example of oral history at its best. Thanks and may we never go back!!
Thank you – we’re really grateful!
Excellent interview with Susan Hart! She is still a beautiful, smart, and incredible sensual woman. Her presence is mesmerizing!
Is there nobody you can’t find?!?
Amazing work as usual, RR. Looking forward to pt.2
Thank you so much TRS!
This is shaping up to be one of the best interviews I’ve heard.
I can’t wait for Part 2! Compelling.
Thanks James!
Important history here folks…. this is real life in America today. Not what you read or see on TV: real people, real experiences, real life.
And real good!
We appreciate that Larry!
Interesting observations about Ginger. Just when I thought I heard it all…
No judgement!… Simply put, beautiful woman!!!… Happy shes alive & well.
This is a beautiful, warm, compassionate conversation.
Heart-warming.
Thank you Steve!
Love this – roll on part 2.
Thanks Trayvon!
No Frickin’ Way. Chef’s kiss, RR!
Thanks as always JWP!
Really enjoyed part 1, really good interview, looking froward to hearing part 2.
Riveting. thank you for sharing sue can’t wait for part two.
Wow, a fantastic and fascinating interview from a lovely lady. She has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of and it is just wonderful that she has shown such courage and strength to share her story with us with such honesty. Just brilliant and looking forward to part 2.
Well, done, April! Excellent focus on the human dimension as this very young woman found her way
stumbling and surviving a difficult childhood . . . and as a young woman, happened upon her way into
the fringes of the adult business. I don”t recall ever crossing paths with her there as she was just starting
out when my career was winding down . . . but I am looking forward to Part 2 of your interview just to learn
more of this fascinating woman’s adventure. The Rialto Report just gets better with the years!
– Love, Howie Gordon
. . . aka the ghost of Richard Pacheco
Aww thanks so much Howie – really appreciate your support! xo
Great to be treated with a new podcast again. Thank you, guys!
Thanks for listening Harlan!
Wonder if Susan feels Hal Freeman was being disingenuous when he told her not to do hardcore. If he truly felt that way, he wouldn’t have been the one to hire her. So once she made her decision, the businessman in Freeman took over? Perceptive comments on Ginger Lynn and Jim South. Extraordinarily intelligent and insightful woman. Greatly anticipating Part 2. Superb, April!
Hearing Susan describe an inexperienced Ginger Lynn needing alcohol to get through a difficult anal scene, was very infuriating. I can’t believe that the director/crew permitted the scene to continue. Hopefully it wasn’t used? There is no justification for such heartlessness and unprofessionalism.
It WAS used and the director was Freeman.