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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 I always wondered about her.
So I sent her a letter. Little did I 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 me 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 I hope she’s happy about this interview.
This is April Hall – and this is Sue Hart’s story.
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.
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.!!!
Awesome Article Keep Up Good Work
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.
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.
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.