Sharon Kelly / Colleen Brennan: From Soft to Hard – Podcast 51

Sharon Kelly / Colleen Brennan: From Soft to Hard – Podcast 51
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When we contacted Sharon Kelly to request a Rialto Report interview with her, we suggested the conversation might take a couple of hours. She wrote back immediately expressing mild surprise that anyone would want to listen to her for that long.

Actually to be more precise she said: “Jesus Christ – two hours?! I wouldn’t listen to George Clooney beg to have sex with me whilst a resurrected John Lennon plays background music especially written for the occasion for that long”.

Well – that’s where we differ. Because Sharon Kelly is one of the rare actresses whose career straddled two very different eras. After dancing in clubs, from the notorious Clermont Lounge in Atlanta to the Classic Cat in Hollywood, she starred in a string of mid 1970s sexploitation films, many produced by Harry Novak. Along the way she also made appearances in Russ Meyer’s Supervixens (1975) and two of the Ilsa women in prison films – and had cameo parts in mainstream films like Hustle (1975) with Burt Reynolds and Shampoo (1975) with Warren Beatty.

Sharon_Kelly_12_RRShe usually played wholesome though naïve girls, and her busty, freckled redhead looks invariably lit up the screen.

Then she abruptly disappeared for several years before reappearing in the 1980s – except this time she was called Colleen Brennan and she was making hardcore films. She won new generation of fans and a string of acting awards before retiring once again.

On this episode, Sharon remembers her two careers in film, her dancing years, softcore, hardcore, marriages, reform schools, phone sex lines, raising a daughter, cocaine, Ron Jeremy at the buffet table of Plato’s Retreat, and stories of Burt Reynolds, Warren Beatty and Roman Polanski.

And how good is it? Almost as good as listening to George Clooney beg to have sex with you while a resurrected John Lennon plays background music especially written for the occasion.

This episode’s running time is 72 minutes.

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Sharon Kelly / Colleen Brennan photographs

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly1982 Adult Film Association of America’s Erotic Film Awards

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

 

Sharon Kelly

  • Posted On: 30th May 2015
  • By: The Rialto Report
  • Under: Podcasts

35 Comments

  1. K. Marshall · May 31, 2015 Reply

    Been waiting for this one for a dog’s age….Over too soon…
    Almost demands a part two. Sharon was always the one
    in the (R or X) cast with the brightest personality that screamed
    “genuine”. A completely palate cleansing experience.
    Involving,somehow reassuring listen. This kind of oral
    history invaluable and RR continues unabated, thankfully.
    And so, thanks.And thanks again….

  2. George Pacheco · May 31, 2015 Reply

    It’s rare that I leave a comment BEFORE I listen to a podcast, but I’m so glad this is finally posted! Ms. Kelly was one of the first actresses I noticed when I started to delve into genre/exploitation movies, and still one of the smartest and funniest performers, not to mention drop dead gorgeous. Cheers to Rialto, as usual, for the hard work, and thanks to Ms. Kelly for sharing her story! On to listen!

  3. P.I. · May 31, 2015 Reply

    Ms. Kelly, sounds like a really fun person, and I love hearing her laugh.

    I also liked hearing her talk about Buck Flower, and Tallie Cochrane.

    I thought the Harry Novak story was funny, but then I remembered how it feels to be ripped-off by your employers… She should have sliced up his tires, that’s what someone I know did… cough-cough-cough.

    I’ve got some questions, did she really appear in LITTLE CIGARS, and was Ms. Kelly really the woman on the motorcycle, in INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS?… And did she have any contact with Rene Bond when she worked on BEE GIRLS?

    • Colleen Brennan · June 7, 2015 Reply

      I’ve got some answers! What!? You don’t remember Stripper #3? I don’t think I had any lines, just a couple typical three-shots. O
      0 0

      Yeah, I ‘m pretty sure I was naked on a motorcycle for Bee Girls. It was a pick-up shot, I wasn’t around during the actual shoot, so I doubt if I saw Rene.

      Btw, I’ve had more than $500 worth of satisfaction trash talking Harry Novak with that sleazy tidbit over the years.

      • Colleen Brennan · June 7, 2015 Reply

        Bummer. I figured it wouldn’t line up.
        O
        00

        • P.I. · June 7, 2015 Reply

          Ms. Brennan…..

          Thank you VERY much, for the reply!

          Now that I know it was you, I’m going to re-watch BEE GIRLS for the one millionth time…. ha-ha-ha…. BUTT seriously, you looked lovely in the films you appeared in, and you had a really great smile too!

          I also hope to watch LITTLE CIGARS again soon. I think it’s an underrated film. I’m still hoping this movie will be released on a proper region one “pressed” disc. It’s currently only available on MOD-DVD, and a few places online.

          As I said before, I really love hearing your laugh.

          Thanks again Ms. Brennan,
          P.I. ( aka cvb )

  4. Steven · May 31, 2015 Reply

    Colleen Brennan, never get tired of watching her, listening to her, glorifying in her. I love you Colleen!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay and healthy and beautiful

  5. Bob Gee · May 31, 2015 Reply

    Quality interview. Sharon is pure class. I wish she realized that the interview could’ve been (and should’ve been) twice the length. Well done to all concerned. This series rocks.

  6. Jason Skinner · May 31, 2015 Reply

    Good to hear from Sharon after all these years – and you’re wrong! I’d rather listen to you on a Rialto podcast than have George Clooney whisper in my ear any day.

    Long live Alice Goodbody!

  7. Roy Karch · May 31, 2015 Reply

    Colleen Brennan still hitting her mark and keeping her face in the light without looking at the camera. A pleasure on and off the set. Good to her her giggle too. Thanks oh Rialto ones!

  8. Mark Sering · May 31, 2015 Reply

    THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! I’ve been a fan of Sharon since I first watched A SCREAM IN THE STREETS! She is a beauty that deserves to have her story told. 🙂

  9. FM451 · June 1, 2015 Reply

    What a delightful podcast. Colleen Brennan is such a live wire! Can’t wait to listen a second time, to catch what I missed. From the female cop in “Trinity Brown” to the snooty housewife in “Maid in Manhattan”, Colleen Brennan was a wonderful, entertaining presence. Great job by all.

  10. David Harry · June 1, 2015 Reply

    Another exceptional interview from the Rialto Report – what a doll Colleen is. I’ve loved her on screen characters for many a year, and so to hear from the woman herself is an amazing experience. She’s just as great as her characters!

  11. Jim Stevens · June 1, 2015 Reply

    I don’t think I’ve heard one your subjects laugh so much during a podcast and that alone speak volumes about Sharon/Colleen. And her modesty…wow. I wish she did realize her impact and status among golden age adult film actresses..and I do mean actresses. She was the last great one of that era.

  12. William Margold · June 2, 2015 Reply

    Lovingly nicknamed “The Sunset Strip”…Colleen was appropriately chosen to be the first XRCO hostess back in 1985. And there’s an open invitation on the table for her to be inducted into THE LEGENDS OF EROTICA whenever she desires to grace us with her presence.

    • Hank Rose · June 6, 2015 Reply

      I remember her as the first face I saw at the door to the ’87 XRCO awards show as well.

      • Marco · April 28, 2016 Reply

        Colleen hosted the first four XRCO ceremonies. She was hard to replace, but Nina Hartley took over for the one held in 1989.

  13. Frank · June 4, 2015 Reply

    *Ungh*. That laugh makes me melt.

    Colleen, you’re as charming and delightful as ever.

  14. Louie Max · June 4, 2015 Reply

    Very down to earth and candid!

  15. Dale Ealey · June 15, 2015 Reply

    So good to hear you! Trinity Brown is in my top three adult films All-time! And back when you were making movies my wife at the time was also a blazing red head. She did have a ‘couple of good qualities (wink-wink)! Thank you so much ma’am!

  16. Ken · July 28, 2015 Reply

    This is my very first podcast I’ve listened to on this site. I’m telling you now I can’t imagine another being more entertaining and informative than this. Colleen Brennan was wonderful, insightful and funny. To know that she is a year older than I is surreal in that I grew up in that Golden age as a fan of those films.

    I’m so glad I found this great web site. (accidentally) Now I can feed my nostalgic mind all it needs from this happy time in my life. Ms. Brennan and others were pioneers of a genre that will never be the same ever again. I’m just so glad she survived the Ugly, had fun and turned out to be the charming, witty, successful woman that is today.

  17. Tim · October 19, 2015 Reply

    Such a great interview and always has been of my favorites. Besides her amazing beauty her personality always shined through just as it does here.You can clearly tell her personality is amazing as she is clearly one of the greatest interviews I’ve ever heard ever

  18. paul · December 2, 2015 Reply

    Happy Birthday ! I was two years older than u , but, for a few months 1 yr. Live well @ prosper for U and Your’s .

  19. Jp · January 24, 2016 Reply

    Thank you-
    For sharing a piece of your life –
    It was great to hear.
    Still a fan!
    Jp

  20. Maranville · February 23, 2016 Reply

    Amazing self-deprecation for someone so damned smart and funny. Question for Colleen if she’s still around here: Is the IMDB Credit attributed to you for a 2012 TV Movie called Killer Teens a typo? Just curious as the gap between that and your last previous work listed and the interview here seems like it could be a typo. PS Harry Novak rented me some films, clips, press materials for a short film I did a few years back. I took him to lunch and the waitress asked if he wanted to see a menu, he said, “Only if you’re on it, Honey!” Old dog, same spots.

  21. James · August 6, 2016 Reply

    Hello Colleen, I can’t count how many times I have watched your movies over and over again. lol I wish I would’ve known this was happening when it did, but I still got to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing time with us fans. Always thought you had a smoking hot body, and looked fabulous! Definitely one of my all time favorites…

  22. Spirit · December 28, 2016 Reply

    One goddamn sexy redhead, one of the very few “mature” women to work in her era and one of the best pure actresses to work in adult, period.

  23. Big Talkers · November 2, 2017 Reply

    Also posting before I even listen to this podcast! Just watched Sassy Sue for the first time the other day – always remembered the face but never knew Colleen’s name, wow! Built for speed with a super chill personality, killer combination!!

    Thanks for delivering the good Rialto Report!!

  24. Keisha · December 9, 2017 Reply

    Hi Coleen,

    Before I got into the business, we both worked for the same fantasy phone call company. When I was trying to decide whether or not I wanted to get into the business, you talked with me and gave me the lowdown of what the business was really like. I really appreciated the fact that you took the time to talk to me. That was so sweet and generous of you.

    Kisses,
    Keisha
    http://www.playwithkeisha.com
    https://www.therialtoreport.com/2017/12/03/keisha/

  25. Jeff Robertson · June 8, 2020 Reply

    Colleen Brennan she was the 1970s x-rated film star famous nightclub Clermont Lounge Atlanta Georgia located on Ponce De Leon Avenue not far from Plaza Theater former x-rated theater keep up the good work

  26. felix · July 5, 2020 Reply

    Great fun listening. Here
    is a woman who has not been cheated from a fun-filled life, whose head is screwed on perfectly straight, and all of the above with a gorgeous set of Charlies to boot.

  27. Felix · July 6, 2020 Reply

    Hello again,
    I wanted to follow up by asking Sharon, if she reads this message, to share a few anecdotal tales about Candy Samples when time allows. All who speak of Candy seem to be in total agreement that their lives were enriched for having known her. Thank you, Sharon.
    Felix

  28. Dale Ealey · August 3, 2021 Reply

    Trinity Brown! My favorite adult film. Really great acting and other good stuff! 😉

  29. Sharon Kelly aka Colleen Brennan · November 3, 2023 Reply

    Hi, I don’t get here often. The IMBD is either a mistake or there is another person working as Sharon Kelly. Bet she isn’t crazy about being mistaken for an ancient porn star!

  30. Seakayak · January 6, 2024 Reply

    Colleen has always been one of my favorite classic stars. Some of my favorite Colleen scenes are in “Initiation of Cynthia” with Jerry Butler & John Leslie, “Striptease” with Ron Jeremy, “Squalor Motel” with Nick Random et al, and “Dirty Girls” with Tom Byron & Blair Harris.

    In addition to having a gorgeous body and beautiful face and the red hair, Colleen could act and could be funny, sexy, and delightfully raunchy all at once. I enjoyed listening to the podcast. I am glad she seems to be doing well and enjoying life.

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