New Pornstar Interviews - [more]
Introducing Lady LorReign

"Good oral on me turns me on. Also, knowing that my partner is enjoying themself,"
Participate...

log in
register
Browse...

Etiquette
Active Topics
Popular Topics
Member List
Search
All Forums > The Porn Pool > The Porn Pool Forum Page 551 > Book Review of The Other Hollywood by Legs McNeil
AuthorPost
christianx
Senior Member


1883 Posts
9/04
Posted - Sep 12 2006 : 1:42PM
Not sure if this is the correct forum for this, but I really wanted to do this, so here goes. This is my review and thoughts from The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Adult Film Industry by Legs McNeil and Jennifer Osborne.

This book is one of the most fascinating books I have read in the past ten years. Not just because it deals with my industry, but the writing and the comments are so thought provoking and intriguing. I simply could not put this book down, and it was almost 600 pages!

The book starts at the beginning, with 8 and 16 millimeter cameras shooting loops in New York in 1969. Then it talks about the first 3 feature porn films, Deep Throat, Behind the Green Door, and The Devil in Miss Jones. There is a lot of talk about the organized crime influence behind the porn industry and a lot of comments about heavy, heavy drug use.

It also delves into John Holmes and the Wonderland murders, Reuben Sturman, Savannah and her suicide, the AIDS scare of 1995, and a plethora of other porn related events. What makes the book so fascinating is the comments by the interviewees. They corralled so many people to talk about their experiences! I consider myself lucky, because I am good friends with Freddy Lincoln, Joey Silvera, Tricia Devereaux, and a host of others featured in the book. Don't think for a second that I didn't call them all up and ask them 20 questions about parts of the book! lol

I dont know who else has read this book, but if anyone wants to discuss it, i would be more than willing!


[Link]
-Kelly-
Senior Member

2517 Posts
5/03
Posted - Sep 12 2006 : 2:51PM
When the book came out, AdultFYI featured several responses and reviews, ultimately casting doubt upon the accuracy of certain portions of the book. I believe there was a bit of criticism over how heavily Sharon Mitchell is quoted. The main thing I do remember, though, is that they somehow contacted Tracey Adams, who disputed Sharon's story of meeting Warren Beatty through her.

However, I found the book to be a compelling read, much as you did. I picked up a used hardcover, and once I got around to reading it I couldn't put it down. It is a fascinating oral history-narrative. The way McNeil crafts the stories as he sees them by using his own interviews as well random quotes from pre-existing interviews can be a bit troubling, but it's also his editing that makes it such an engaging read. Considering that the book was published in 2005, I was a bit surprised that it stops its story at 1998. However, aside from how long the book had been in the works and how much work it must have entailed Legs probably got to the Marc Wallace story and realized that there was no better way to end than on the unexpected love story of Tricia Deveraux and John Stagliano.

Here's [invalid URL removed]another thread on books about porn.

Edited by - -Kelly- on 9/12/2006 3:04:20 PM

Go To Top of page
[Link]
astroknight All-Star Supporter
Questionable Moderator

Tastes so good...
4187 Posts
11/99
Posted - Sep 12 2006 : 6:38PM
That does sound interesting. Interesting enough that I just had to order it from Amazon...

"Vegetarianism for me is about saying ‘yes’ to things - even meat." - Coupling

Go To Top of page
[Link]
tricia_devereaux
Evil Angel DVD

Patience is a virtue, but who wants to be virtuous?
4283 Posts
4/00
Posted - Sep 12 2006 : 6:50PM
It is an engaging read.
But I'm glad you brought up the pre-existing interviews - very few of which are credited as such, which makes it seem like the interview and corresponding quotes were obtained by Leggs and his staff.
If you consider that over half of my portion in this story was gleaned from Luke Ford's site (when it was actually Luke Ford), take it as you will.

Oh, and I can certainly vouch for Christian playing 20 questions with me. Cracked me up - he was so enthusiastic about asking me which parts were actually true. thanks :)

Go To Top of page
[Link]
skronker
Notable Legendary Icon

Scopophiliac
9780 Posts
9/02
Posted - Sep 12 2006 : 7:23PM
I enjoyed reading it and read it very quickly (and mostly high on painkillers, how appropo). I was disappointed to see how much material was lifted from other sources that might have been researched firsthand (latter-day chapters). But it was really informative, esp. the early chapters.
Go To Top of page
[Link]
 
astroknight All-Star Supporter
Questionable Moderator

Tastes so good...
4187 Posts
11/99
Posted - Sep 18 2006 : 6:04PM
My copy arrived today. I opened it up randomly and just read a couple small spots. I can see just how addictive this book is going to be. I had to put it down right away, as I knew if I started at the beginning I'd immediately abandon the Ben Franklin biography I'm reading right now. The Franklin bio is a very dense read, and being roughly 500 pages into the 720, I know that if I drop it now it's going to be VERY hard to pick back up. On the plus side, I'm almost positive what one of my next two books will be (two because I just might have to throw in a quick fiction read)...

"Vegetarianism for me is about saying ‘yes’ to things - even meat." - Coupling

Go To Top of page
[Link]
skronker
Notable Legendary Icon

Scopophiliac
9780 Posts
9/02
Posted - Sep 18 2006 : 7:04PM
Even though TOH is a big book, the type size is fairly large ... I swear you can rip thru the whole thing in about 3 evenings. But if you are interested in porn, you will probably knock it out in one long sitting. The best kind of reading experience, as far as I'm concerned.
Go To Top of page
[Link]
Tinaka
Member

953 Posts
8/03
Posted - Sep 18 2006 : 9:37PM
I got this a while ago. I read the end first then started from the beginning. I'm really crap when when it comes to reading books so i havn't read it all (the 80's sections). Some day i'll finish it, i' looking forward to all the Meese and Traci Lords stuff.
Go To Top of page
[Link]
christianx
Senior Member

1883 Posts
9/04
Posted - Sep 19 2006 : 4:37AM
hey astro, i am currently reading 1776....a fascinating read.....dont read fiction...its lame
Go To Top of page
[Link]
Harri Patel
Senior Member

#SDNY he's all yours. -- Michael Steele
5110 Posts
3/03
Posted - Sep 21 2006 : 2:07AM
Christian, if you like the historical stuff, check out [invalid URL removed]this very long thread which features extensive reminiscences by Shaun Costello, a guy who made porn under various names, including "Warren Evans," for the Mafia in New York in the 70's. (It starts off being a thread about a boxset of the guy's movies, but the guy himself eventually shows up and is drawn more and more into telling his stories.)
Go To Top of page
[Link]
All Forums > The Porn Pool > The Porn Pool Forum Page 551Book Review of The Other Hollywood by Legs McNeil

Previous topic: Funny looking dick !!
Next topic: How do they film gonzo POV porn



Jump To: