Tag Archives: golden age

AAN, Adult News, Porn, Porn News

Throwback Thursday – Hall of Fame Stars – Gloria Leonard

 Gloria Leonard – Inducted 1989

A True Porn Pioneer

Gail Klinetski came into this world on August 28, 1940 in New York City. She was raised in the Bronx, went to school and got her college degree in New York. She became a successful Wall Street stocks and bonds company rep. She also worked in PR for Elektra Records as well as working for Johnny Carson’s publicist prior to entering the world of porn.

This was her very corporate life before becoming one of the great legends of porn’s golden age as Gloria Leonard. She was one of the most popular names back in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. Though she was successful in her various PR roles a chance meeting with a friend in the booming adult film business in New York changed everything. She gave up her corporate career and got into the growing world of porn in New York.

Tall (5’ 10”), and with an all natural 40-33-37 knockout figure, brown hair and eyes that had a sensual, seductive look, Gloria was a natural in front of the camera. She made her hardcore debut in the 1976 film “Sex Maniac”, but it was in “The Opening of Misty Beethoven” that her career really took off. During her time in front of the camera Ms. Leonard did about 70 films that included “The Trouble With Young Stuff”, “Fortune Smiles”, “All About Gloria Leonard” , “Intimate Desires” and “Heat Wave” among them until she left in 1984.

Her seductive look, a seemingly nonstop sexual appetite and the fact she was a natural as an actress made her a very popular performer. Gloria wasn’t content to just be in front of the camera and would be one of the first females to go behind the camera and direct. In 1981 Gloria married well known porn producer Bobby Hollander and they remained married until divorcing in1990.

After she left the film part of the industry Ms. Leonard became the publisher of the popular men’s magazine, High Society. She basically oversaw every facet of the magazine and held that position for 14 years. She also brought many innovations to men’s magazines. She created the genre of “Celebrity Skin”, along with pioneering the phone sex industry. It was Ms. Leonard who took her fight for this innovation all the way to the Supreme Court and won. That ruling and this new business created by Ms. Leonard would open up another lucrative door for adult entertainment to be a major part of in the years ahead. The phone sex industry became very popular and a big money maker for a number of years and is still in existence today.

In 1993 Ms. Leonard moved to Hawaii to settle down with her daughter, who ran a very successful art gallery. In 1997 she returned to California and went to work for the Private Media group for a time. She was also president of the Free Speech Coalition and stayed active in many First Amendment battles appearing on TV talk shows to fight for the causes she strongly believed in.

She was living a good life in Hawaii then on January 31, 2014 she suffered a massive stroke. Ms. Leonard was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. As a result of the stroke, Gloria suffered very extensive brain damage. This wonderful lady passed away a few days later on February 3, 2014, at the age of 73, after having her life-support systems disconnected.

Gloria Leonard was an award winning actress and a member of both the AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame. She was truly one of porn’s early female pioneers in many areas besides films. Her fan website www.glorialeonard.com  is still a very popular and busy one. Through today’s technology, most of her films are available on DVD. She is considered as the “grand dame” of porn and when you see some of this exquisite lady’s great performances you will understand why Gloria Leonard is so well regarded to this day by both the industry and fans young and old.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

AAN, Adult News, Porn, Porn News

Throwback Thursday – Hall of Fame Stars – Tina Russell

Tina Russell – Inducted 1985

On a personal note, Tina Russell was one of the first porn stars I ever saw on film. She was extremely sexually explosive and also had natural talent as an actress. With looks and tremendous talent, Ms. Russell was definitely one of the early pioneers in the New York porn movement.

This early porn pioneer was born Linda Marie Mintzer in Williamsport, PA on Sept. 3, 1948 where she was raised and did all her schooling. She came from a conservative family and in her high school yearbook her photo she has that “Laura Petrie” look. After graduating and staying around Williamsport for a while, Linda married a local photographer Jason Russell. They moved to New York City and in 1970 Linda enrolled at New York University. Little did she know things were about to change  and go in a direction that was not planned.

To supplement income while she was in school, she took on the stage name of  Tina Russell and began their film careers by appearing in short “loops,” which were quick, plotless porn films shown in peep shows in New York’s midtown Manhattan porn theaters like the Melody, Show World and others.. They also appeared in a number of “marriage manual” films during the early 1970s. Tina also got some work as a nude model to help supplement their income. Then they got involved in doing “live sex shows” in the adult theaters and showplaces that dotted the Times Square area. These were big draws, but 90% of the sex between them was simulated, as it was in all “live sex shows” back then. But these performances got Tina noticed by the New York porn people who were looking for new faces. So in 1972-73 Tina Russell began doing full length porn features.

Jason worked with her in most of them as her sexual partner. However, unbeknownst to Tina, he was also carrying on an affair with porn actress Jean Jennings, so once she found out Tina filed for and got a divorce from Jason. Her real star status came in 1973 after her memoir, “Porn Star” was published and she talked about her great life in the New York adult industry. She appeared in close to 100 films in her career. They included “All About Sex”, “Birds and the Beads” “Dark Dreams”, “Bedroom Bedlam”, “Whistle Blowers”, “Untamed Desires” and a number of Blue Vanity scenes.

While Tina continued to work into 1981, alcohol had really taken a major toll on her after her divorce. Now Tina’s popularity among co stars, directors, producers and fans took a nose dive as did her calls for work. It was really a shame because, as we said earlier, Tina had the overall talent, both sexually and as an actress to become a major star in the industry. It is too bad she never got the help she needed with her alcohol problem. If she had taken steps to clean up and address her problem, there is no telling just how big a star Tina Russell might have become in the world of adult films.

In May of 1981 Tina took a trip out to San Diego to visit her brother. According some Tina was ready to finally seek help for her problem from her brother and others while in California. Unfortunately the help that was so desperately needed would never come. On May 18, Tina Russell died of renal failure at the young age of 33. It was sad, but because of her alcoholism and not getting help sooner, it just seemed inevitable that Tina Russell’s life was destined to come to an unfortunate and tragic end.

Her brother brought her back to Montoursville, Pennsylvania, where the family had her buried under her birth name. In 1985 Tina Russell was posthumously enshrined in the XRCO Hall of Fame where she belongs. Hopefully one day she will also have her rightful place in the AVN Hall of Fame as well and be recognized for the pioneer she was.

Ms. Russell was a beautiful young lady who gave some very erotic, steamy and sizzling performances in her films, many which are now on DVD. If you have never seen Tina Russell, one of porn’s early bright lights perform, look for some of her films and you will not be disappointed in the total range this young lady had and what made her special.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

AAN, Adult News, Porn, Porn News

Throwback Thursday -Hall of Fame Stars – Lisa De Leeuw

Inducted in 1993

She was born Lisa Trego on July 3, 1958 in Moline, Ill. and was the typical mid western farm girl and very much a tomboy growing up. Growing up she was very athletic and always played on boys teams taking part in a number of sports. She had her first sexual experience with a boyfriend and his friend when she was in her teens. She had a boyfriend who managed a theater that showed X-rated films. Lisa was overweight, but ready to leave farm life behind. So in 1978 she and the boyfriend made their way to Los Angeles

Once there she devoted herself to losing 40 pounds. With that mission accomplished Lisa began making some good money modeling for several men’s magazines. With her big natural breasts, freckles, natural flowing red hair, the weight loss and striking look she was quite a hot picture. It was then the suggestion came about she could do well in porn films. She was told to think about it but while Lisa had a high sex drive she wasn’t sure she could do it. She had her dreams set on becoming a legit actress. However, with a promise of very good money and steady work she changed her mind. She also changed her name to Lisa De Leeuw and first did a few loops for Swedish Erotica. Though inexperienced when she began, she was a fast learner and would go on to become a very steamy and accomplished sexual performer.

Lisa made her debut in the 1979 film, “800 Fantasy Lane” when she was offered the starring role by director Svetlana, who could be a tyrant on the set. For newbie Lisa it was intimidating, but she worked through it and quickly established herself in porn. She became an instant favorite with fans and co stars because of her never ending appetite for sex which came across in every performance. She had a sexual intensity and realism that shined. She also had a natural flair for acting making her roles even better and her characters very real. With her brassy, outgoing personality, her sexual talents and seductive manner some thought of her as the Mae West of porn.

During her time in adult films she appeared in over 200 that include her award winning performance in the 1981 porn classic “Amanda by Night”. Some of her other great films include “Ultra Flesh “ with Seka, “Pro Ball Cheerleaders”, “Garage Girls”, “I Like To Watch”, “Aunt Peg Goes to Hollywood”, “Coed Fever” and “Dixie Ray Hollywood Star” (a favorite of mine) which would bring Lisa a Best Supporting Actress award, an award she would win four times in her career. Though at times she could act like a diva on the set, by and large she was very well liked by everyone who worked with her. They all agree when it came to sex Lisa never once faked it in a film. What you saw was the real deal all the time and made her scenes even hotter!

Like many back in the 80’s porn scene, Lisa got involved with drugs which actually began to take hold when she was losing the weight. Film director Svetlana had put Lisa on a strict diet of pills and over time that would lead to other drugs and what would turn out to be her eventual downfall. She was also one of the first female performers to sign an exclusive contract with one film company, Vivid. She also appeared in a number of photo spreads in the top men’s magazines. In just about every film and photo you can see Lisa wearing a lion’s head pendant. It was her good luck charm and she was rarely without it.

Then in 1987 Lisa made the decision to leave adult films. She wanted to concentrate on a lucrative personal appearance schedule as a feature dancer at top clubs around the country. For a couple of years she was a major draw, making good money and seemed to have everything under control in her life. Eventually she would leave the business altogether and go about leading a normal life. Some had said the reason Ms. De Leeuw left the industry while she still was extremely popular was the AIDS scare that had many very worried and concerned.

In 1993 it had been reported that due to complications from AIDS Lisa De Leeuw had died. However, in 2000 the story was discovered not to be true and that Lisa was in fact, alive, healthy and living a life far removed from the adult industry. As a tribute to her contributions to the adult film industry, the sexy redhead turned 63 this past July and is a deserving member of both the AVN and XRCO Halls of Fame. There is also a fan website www.lisadeleeuw.com  you can go to that will bring back a lot of great memories.

She will always standout among her peers and fans because of that red hair, her total presence and her voracious sex appetite. Many of the great films of Ms. De Leeuw are now available on DVD. If you have only heard about, but have never seen, this steamy redhead in a film you are missing quite a visual and sexual treat. The adult industry was very fortunate to have Lisa De Leeuw during its golden age and to leave behind some unforgettable memories everyone can still enjoy.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

AAN, Adult News, Porn, Porn News

Where Are They Now?? – Kristara Barrington

Porn’s Eurasian Queen

In the 1980′s when porn was undergoing a big change, one of the most popular porn stars was an Asian-American, Kristara Barrington. She was born on November 22, 1965, in New Orleans where she was raised and went to school. Her entry into the adult industry came in 1984. She became an immediate fan favorite and also a favorite with directors and performers. With her very exotic and sensual Eurasian look (she is half Korean, half Caucasian), Kristara was able to play a variety of women in different kinds of scenes and was much sought after for different films.

Right from the start, she was the consummate pro on the set with a great personality who totally enjoyed her work and the people she was around. She was the first Asian, or part Asian, female to grace the porn screen since Linda Wong. Ms. Wong came into porn in the mid 70’s. Kristara’s sensual and dynamic presence was quickly welcomed by everyone.

Among the films Kristara appeared in were “Caught From Behind 3″, “Tailenders”, “Jan Bond Meets Octopussy”, which many consider as one of Kristara’s best roles and performances. There was also “Inside China Lee”, “One Night in Bangkok” and many others among the more than 170 films she would appear in during her time in the industry. However, in spite of all those great films, and the critical acclaim that went with them, Kristara is probably best known for her unbelievable role in “New Wave Hookers” from 1985.

In this trailblazing film she played the role of a prostitute in what was an extremely very demanding, dramatic role that was both mentally and physically draining but seemed made for her. She was not only a very sensual, highly sexual and exotic woman, but also displayed some very natural and real acting chops that made her performance even more realistic and believable..

Kristara called it quits in 1987 and left the industry with no big fanfare. But Ms. Barrington did leave behind a legacy of great films that can still be seen today thanks to DVD technology. In addition, like many from back in the day, she has a very active fan club that keeps fans in touch with her past. For all the great films she did and solid performances, why Ms. Barrington has yet to be elected to either the AVN or XRCO Hall of Fame remains a puzzle to many in the industry.

While it has never been confirmed, it has been rumored in the past that Kristara, now 56, went back to finish her schooling after leaving adult and took on a career as a veterinarian.  Wherever Kristara Barrington is today, we thank her for giving porn fans so much enjoyment and great memories from the golden age. With many of her films now on DVD, be sure to check out the very sultry and exotic performer, Kristara Barrington, you will not be disappointed.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

AAN, Adult News, Porn, Porn News

THE ART OF ADULT – The Porn Classics Revisited – “3 a.m. The Time of Sexuality” – 1975

This week we take you back forty five years ago to 1975. It was a decade of change. So let’s look back and see what 1975 was like and what took place in our world back then.

As always lets first look at the cost of living. The average income in the U.S. was a whopping $14,000. a year, the average rent was just $200 a month for an apartment. You could buy a brand new 3 bedroom home for an average price of just $40,000. When came to automobiles, the average price was around $4,200, but you could go expensive and buy a new Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale for $5,625. A gallon of gas was only 44 cents. You could get a Hershey chocolate bar for 15 cents and a Big Mac for 70 cents. Men’s leisure suits were popular and cost only $39.00.As for news headlines and what was taking place here and around the world……..The Vietnam War ends as Communist forces take Saigon and South Vietnam surrenders unconditionally……..The US carries out the Vietnam “Operation Babylift” that brings Vietnamese orphans to the US……Jimmy Hoffa ex teamsters boss disappears never to be seen again…….Patti Hearst becomes Most Wanted then arrested for armed robbery…….It is also in 1975 that two young men, Bill Gates and Paul Allen would create a new company called Microsoft………The new computers are starting to appear including the Altair 8800…….The battle for video recorder standards of VHS and Betamax begin.

In the world of entertainment among the year’s big films were  “Jaws”, “Young Frankenstein”, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Godfather II”. In the music world LaBelle, the Eagles, Black Sabbath, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Wings and Chicago are the big record sellers. On TV among the big shows were The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Waltons, All in the Family, M*A*S*H and Happy Days. We lost a number of celebrities in 1975 including blues performer T-Bone Walker, actress Susan Hayward, baseball manager Casey Stengel, TV writer and host Rod Serling and comedienne Moms Mabley.

In the world of porn, New York is still a hub for porn films, but some productions pop up on the west coast. Despite protests from morality groups, government threats and new laws, the porn industry is creating a whole new entertainment niche for consenting adults. One of the films to come out in 1975 was a truly remarkable, mainstream style film that we look back at today, “3 a.m. the Time of Sexuality”.

3 a.m. Time of Sexuality – Westwood Films/Cal Vista Classics – Director – Robert McCallum – Cast – Georgina Spelvin, Judith Hamilton, Sharon Thorpe, Clair Dia, Rhonda Gallard, Robert Rose. Charles Hooper, Frank Mauro.

When early porn classics are discussed, for some reason this one is generally left out and shouldn’t be. It is an extremely well made film with the feel of an Ingmar Bergmann art film. It has the shadings, nuances and combination of story, plot and music.  The characters are very well portrayed by the actors under McCallum’s well paced direction. It is truly a hidden gem among the classics from porn’s golden age. The story revolves around a middle class family and the beachfront house they live in on Long Island. It’s a family where Mark (Frank Mauro) and Elaine (Rhonda Gallard)  are married with two teenage children, Stacy (Clair Dia) and Ronnie (Charles Hooper).  Kate (Georgina Spelvin) is the spinster sister of Rhonda who has been carrying on an illicit affair with Mark for some time. He finally decides he wants to find himself and make things work with his wife and end the affair. When he tells Kate this, she accidentally kills him in a boating accident getting knocked overboard and drowning. The title of the film is derived from the time this accident occurred.

After his death, Elaine has a sexual tryst with Morgan (Rob Rose), who is a local tennis pro. Stacy and Ronnie are becoming sexually active and are attracted to each other but nothing really happens at this point. It seems Ronnie has been peeking in on a neighbor, Vicki (Sharon Thorpe), a widow who loves to masturbate. She finally spots him and gives him his first taste of real sex. In the meantime Kate has taken it upon herself to take the virginity away from Stacy in a steamy scene. There’s a lot more that takes place in this dramatic story that will keep your interest level high. As the story nears the end Kate confesses into a tape recorder what really happened to Mark. Then in true art film form, she walks out onto the beach and into the waters of Long Island Sound in a very chilling ending.

The cinematography, angles, shadings, lighting are all extraordinary and capture every essence of this story. The acting is far superior from what one might expect in a porn film. Ms. Spelvin’s Broadway background shows with her excellent acting chops that bring her character to life. The rest of the cast are also extremely convincing in their roles as they all obviously had some serious training as actors. As for the sex scenes, most of them are short, to the point and some score more heat than others, but overall well done. This film, now 45 years later, still holds up as a true mainstream style production in just about every way. It has been transferred to DVD. Give “3 a.m. The Time of Sexuality” a look, you will not be disappointed with this hidden gem enjoying another superb portrayal by AVN and XRCO Hall of Famer Georgina Spelvin.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN

Porn Updates & Upcoming Porn @ UpdatesZ.com

Exit mobile version