23rd February 2020

When Jamie Gillis Was Accused Of Murder… Twice: The Price of Porn Notoriety

Jamie Gillis died ten years ago this week. We remember when he was arrested for murder – twice.

16th February 2020

The Daily Beast: The Prince of Hell’s Kitchen – The Story of Phil Prince

The Daily Beast republishes a Rialto Report story: the remarkable story of Avon film director Phil Prince.

9th February 2020

‘Deep Sleep’ (1972): How a Suburban Porno Set Off a Massive Federal Witch Hunt – Podcast 52 (reprise)

In 1972, Alfred Sole, a first time filmmaker, made an X-rated film.

2nd February 2020

‘Video X’ in 1981:
An Issue by Issue Guide

We look back at the history of the east coast publication ‘Video X’ – and we re-publish all the issues published in 1981.

26th January 2020

Pat Barrington: Scrapbook of an Actress

After last week’s podcast, we’re pleased to present previously unpublished photos and documents from Pat Barrington’s records.

19th January 2020

The Search for Pat Barrington: A Tale of Murder, Sex, and Dance – Podcast 94

The wild tale of sexploitation films, a serial killer, go-go dancing, sexual assault, nude modeling, Sam Fuller.

12th January 2020

‘Adult Cinema’ in 1982:
An Issue by Issue Guide

We look back at the east coast publication ‘Adult Cinema’ by re-publishing all the issues published in 1982.

5th January 2020

Kelly Nichols: At Last – Podcast 93

Kelly Nichols talks about her two careers in the adult film industry: as an acting star, and then as a film makeup artist.

24th December 2019

Happy Christmas – with Tiffany Clark

Previously unpublished photographs of Tiffany Clark from a Christmas Stag magazine shoot in 1982. Happy holidays to all our friends.

22nd December 2019

Lesllie Bovee and Serena at the Melody Burlesk: The Polaroids

Previously unseen photographs from the legendary stage show at New York’s Melody Burlesk, featuring Serena and Lesllie Bovee.

15th December 2019

R.I.P. George McDonald (1949-2019)

George McDonald, perhaps the first male star of the adult film industry, died yesterday in California. He was 70 years old. We remember him.

1st December 2019

‘The Tale of Tiffany Lust’ (1981): Henry Paris’ Secret Comeback

The Tale of Tiffany Lust is one of the more enigmatic adult films made in New York – yet boasts some of the most famous names of the era.

24th November 2019

‘Porn Stars’ in 1982:
An Issue by Issue Guide

We look back at the east coast publication ‘Porn Stars’ by re-publishing all the issues published in 1982 in full.

17th November 2019

‘Centerfold Fever’ (1981): Behind the Scenes of an Adult Movie

A detailed look into the 1981 film, Centerfold Fever, with one of the best casts in XXX history.

10th November 2019

John Stagliano: Truth and Reality – Podcast 92

John Stagliano, godfather of the gonzo genre, talks about his eventful life and career – including Buttman, Evil Angel and more.

3rd November 2019

The Meese Commission on Pornography (1986), and the Birth of the Modern Day Culture War

Edwin Meese, 1980s pornography scourge, is in the news again.

6th October 2019

Adam Film World in 1981:
An Issue by Issue Guide

We look back at the west coast publication Adam Film World by reviewing all the issues published in 1981.

29th September 2019

R.I.P. Candy Samples (1928 – 2019)

Candy Samples, who enjoyed a long career as a hugely popular model in men’s magazines and adult films, passed away this week.

22nd September 2019

Tim Connelly – Punk and Porn, Part 1

Tim Connelly was a drummer who rubbed shoulders with Patti Smith and the Ramones – and a hugely colorful career in the adult industry.

1st September 2019

Mike Horner: Porn’s Late Bloomer – Podcast 91

Mike Horner shares how he went from being a shy Catholic boy from suburbia to becoming one of adult film’s most prolific performers.

25th August 2019

Times Square’s Most Outrageous Sex Show, The Queen of Shock Rock, and The Svengali – Part 2

Wendy O. Williams, Monica Kennedy, and Rod Swenson: Part 2.

18th August 2019

Times Square’s Most Outrageous Sex Show, The Queen of Shock Rock, and The Svengali – Part 1

Monica Kennedy and Wendy O. Williams’ story.

11th August 2019

RIP Henri Belolo – The Story of Wade Nichols and Dennis Parker

Henri Belolo, the music producer who created a disco hit for adult actor, Wade Nichols, passed away at his home in Paris this week.

21st July 2019

Michael Findlay’s Last Year – 3-D, Funk, and the Tragedy on the PanAm Building: An Oral History

We piece together his last year before his tragic accident in 1977.

14th July 2019

High Society in 1977:
Gloria Leonard Takes Over – An Issue by Issue Guide

We speak with Gloria Leonard about High Society and how she became the magazine’s ‘publisher’.

7th July 2019

The Flat on Polk Street: Serena, Jamie, and Lysa in Shangri-La

San Francisco, 1979: Four people’s lives converged for an intense few months in an apartment on Polk Street. This is what happened.

30th June 2019

Adult Film Locations – Part 14: The Exploitation Film Castle

For the 50th anniversary of the filming of Radley Metzger’s The Lickerish Quartet, we visited the castle where the movie takes place.

23rd June 2019

‘The Sins of Ilsa’ (1985): The Untold Story of Radley Metzger’s Unreleased Last Film

Radley Metzger’s last film was shelved, never released, and doesn’t appear on his filmography.

16th June 2019

Cinema Blue in 1984:
The First Year – An Issue by Issue Guide

We look back at the first year of Cinema Blue magazine – and speak to its editor, Joyce James.

9th June 2019

The Sexploitation Film Made on a Desert Island in New York City

The untold story of an Oscar-winning director, a sex film actress, a mobster who revolutionized the distribution of pornography, and a photographer.

12th May 2019

Serena in 1976: Super Woman

The Rialto Report was due to start a spring vacation today – but we came across unpublished photographs of 1970s adult film actress, Serena, from 1976.

5th May 2019

The Daily Beast: ‘Deep Sleep’ (1972) – How an Amateur Porno Set Off A Massive Federal Witch Hunt

The Daily Beast publishes our article about the making of ‘Deep Sleep’.

28th April 2019

Christy Canyon: A Twelve O’Clock Girl in a Nine O’Clock Town – Podcast 90

Christy Canyon talks about her life as a pioneering performer at start of the video age of adult films.

21st April 2019

Cinema-X Review:
The Demise (and the complete 1981 issues)

After flourishing in its first year, Cinema-X Review came to an abrupt end in 1981. How did it end?

14th April 2019

The Rialto Report’s ‘Centurian’s of Rome’ Gets A Movie Deal

We’re proud to announce that The Rialto Report’s recent Daily Beast article, ‘Centurians of Rome’, has been acquired for a feature film.

7th April 2019

Deep Throat (1972): A Deeper Dive

An extract from the unpublished biography of the film’s director, Gerard Damiano, plus four books about the film – and Bill O’Reilly.

31st March 2019

Jim Holliday: Adult Film’s First Historian

Jim Holliday published two books that were among the first to place the golden age of adult film in a historical context.

24th March 2019

Cheri magazine in 1977:
The Second Year – An Issue by Issue Guide

An issue-by-issue guide to the second year of Cheri magazine – with all issues fully digitized.

17th March 2019

Le Beverley – The Last Days of an Adult Cinema

The Rialto Report was sad to hear of the recent closure of Le Beverley, the last surviving adult cinema in Paris. The theater first opened in 1960.

10th March 2019

Mary Stuart, and the slap: How did her story end?

Mary Stuart featured in many adult films, before disappearing amid rumors of abuse. We set out to to piece together her eventful life.

3rd March 2019

The Passing of a San Francisco Pioneer

Ken Scudder passed away recently. We remember his life as a prolific, and enigmatic, actor in the San Francisco scene in the 1970s.

24th February 2019

Paul Thomas: The 10 Provocations of PT, Part 2 – Podcast 89

Paul Thomas talks about the later part of his life and career as he moves behind the camera.

17th February 2019

Paul Thomas: The 10 Provocations of PT, Part 1 – Podcast 88

Paul Thomas talks about the early part of his life and adult film career in a rare interview.

10th February 2019

Adult Film World magazine in 1973/1974:
The Complete Issues

Interviews, film features, articles, and photo sets from the west coast Bible of adult films.

13th January 2019

Adult Film Magazine interviews

45 vintage adult film star interviews, including C.J. Laing, Terri Hall, Andrea True, Jennifer Welles, Suzanne Fields, Helen Madigan, Armand Weston and many more.

6th January 2019

Roommates (1981): The Projection Booth Podcast

The Rialto Report’s Ashley West joins Veronica Hart, Larry Revene, Rick Marx, and Heather Drain on Mike White’s Projection Booth podcast.

30th December 2018

Roberta Pedon is not Latvian. (And she’s not dead either).

The life and career of figure model, Roberta Pedon, has been subject to much speculation. So where did she come from?

28th December 2018

Robert Kerman / R. Bolla – R.I.P.

We remember the actor Robert Kerman, also known as R. Bolla, who died this week in New York at the age of 71, by re-visiting our interview with him.

18th November 2018

Jose Duval: Porn’s Monogamous Swinger

Adult film star Jose Duval talks about open relationships, swinging, porn and the love of his life – Danielle, his wife of 57 years.

11th November 2018

Porn Stars/Skin Flicks/Starlet:
The Magazine with Three Names

The east-coast magazine Porn Stars first appeared in 1980. And became Skin Flicks. And then became Starlet, before reverting to Porn Stars.

4th November 2018

‘Taboo American Style’ (1985): An Outsider’s Story
Podcast 85

What does an outsider experience when he steps on an adult film set for the first time?

3rd November 2018

Keli Richards Fundraiser – A Thank You

Keli Richards writes to thank everyone who donated to her recent fundraiser. Thanks to your genorosity we raised over $2,000.

28th October 2018

Adult Film Locations – Part 13:
Camille 2000 (1968)

Radley Metzger’s ‘Camille 2000’ started shooting 50 years ago today in Rome, Italy. We tried to visit all the original locations in 24 hours.

21st October 2018

The Mob, ‘Blueboy’, the ‘Senora Orgasmo’… and the Birth of Video X magazine

The untold story of the murky and mysterious background behind Video X magazine.

16th October 2018

Keli Richards: A Fundraiser

Since we put out the podcast interview with Keli Richards, many of you have been in touch asking how you can help.
Here’s how.

14th October 2018

Keli Richards: Coming Out Of The Shadows
Podcast 84

Keli Richards’ career in adult films in the 1980s was short and sweet. Is she really making a comeback?

7th October 2018

The Changing Face of Adult Film Stars:
Ed Geller’s Photographs (1979-2001)

One industry. One photographer. Two eras.

30th September 2018

Cheri magazine in 1976:
The First Year – An Issue by Issue Guide

The first year of east coast adult magazine Cheri magazine was a controversial one.

23rd September 2018

Working for Mr. X: California 1988
Podcast 83

A rare documentary from 1988, exploring the advent of video, and the effect it had on sex films

16th September 2018

AFAA Award Ceremonies
A Pictorial History, Part 2 (1981 – 1984)

Stories from behind the scenes, gossip, rare artifacts, and photos from the AFAA Award ceremonies.

9th September 2018

Adult Film Locations – Part 12:
The Misty Beethoven Mansion

We re-visit the (two) Italianate country mansions featured in Radley Metzger’s The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1976).

2nd September 2018

Adult Cinema Review:
The Complete 1981 Issues

We look back at the first year of the east coast film magazine Adult Cinema Review – with the full year’s collection digitized.

26th August 2018

Whatever Happened to Levi Richards?
The Journey to Hart Island

Levi Richards was a good looking, B-list adult film actor in New York. And then he committed suicide.

19th August 2018

AFAA Award Ceremonies
A Pictorial History, Part 1 (1977 – 1980)

The Adult Film Association of America (AFAA) hosted annual Erotic Awards from 1977 until 1986.

29th July 2018

High Society:
1976, The First Year – An Issue by Issue Guide

We look back at the first year of High Society, issue-by-issue, including newly digitized copies.

22nd July 2018

Eric Edwards: The Women of My Life
Chris Jordan, Arcadia Lake, and Renee Summers

Eric Edwards shares his memories of the women in his life.

15th July 2018

The Stripper and the Congressman: Fanne Foxe’s Story – Podcast 82

The story of a American politician, an Argentinian stripper – and the adult film that never happened.

8th July 2018

Cinema-X Review:
The Rise and Fall (and the complete 1980 issues)

We remember Cinema-X Review with Jason Russell, and also re-publish the 1980 issues.

1st July 2018

R.I.P. Jennifer Welles (1937-2018)
Podcast 3 (reprise, with a new introduction)

Jennifer Welles passed away this week at the age of 81.

24th June 2018

Adam Film World:
The Complete 1980 Issues

We continue our digitization project by looking at the west coast film magazine Adam Film World – and the issues from 1980.

17th June 2018

The Search for the Model in the Picture:
A Story of Leather Boots, Whips, and High Heels

Who was the mystery model from a 1970s photo shoot?

10th June 2018

Johnnie Keyes (1940 – 2018): His Life In His Own Words
Podcast 59 (reprise with a new introduction)

Johnnie Keyes passed away this week following a recent stroke.

3rd June 2018

Lynn LeMay – Her Own Woman, Her Own Story
Podcast 81

Lynn LeMay remembers her career in film and dance in this uncensored podcast.

27th May 2018

Flick magazine: 1977 – 1978
The Complete Set

Last year we republished the first 8 issues of Flick – a New York magazine dedicated to covering adult films. Here are the rest.

20th May 2018

‘Dirty Movies’ (1975): The Unpublished Autobiography of George McDonald

The Rialto Report is making George McDonald’s unpublished autobiography available online.

6th May 2018

Adult Video News – The Industry Bible, The First Year (1983-84)

An oral history of the XXX industry’s bible – with the full first 12 issues available online.

29th April 2018

Jamie Gillis vs. Ed Powers: The $20,000,000 Conflict Behind the Birth of Gonzo Porn

The untold story of ‘On the Prowl’ and ‘Dirty Debutantes’.

15th April 2018

Seka: The Platinum Princess speaks
Podcast 23 reprise

On the occasion of Seka’s 64th birthday, we re-visit our 2013 interview with the star.

8th April 2018

Leslie Winston: Beyond the Valley of the Ultra Milkmaids
Podcast 79

Leslie Winston talks about her life as a popular pin-up model and adult film star in the 1980s.

1st April 2018

Adult Film Locations 11:
Ghosts of Chuck Vincent’s Film Studio

We visit Chuck Vincent’s film studio where many of his 1980s adult films were made.

25th March 2018

Jack Bravman: ‘Snuff’, ‘The Slaughter’, and who was J. Angel Martine?

How was Jack Bravman, the prolific New York adult filmmaker from the 1960s to the 1980s?

18th March 2018

Jamie Gillis in 1976: “No one knows what happens to old porn stars”
Podcast 78

The adult film actor Jamie Gillis would have turned 75 next month.

11th March 2018

‘Hot Circuit’ (1971): Was An Adult Film Used To Divert Attention From Watergate?

The story of ‘Hot Circuit’, and one of the first prosecutions of a hard-core film.

4th March 2018

Working with Roberta Findlay
Justine: ‘A Matter of Innocence’ (1980)

We speak to an anonymous adult film actress about Justine: ‘A Matter of Innocence’ (1980).

25th February 2018

C. Davis Smith and Charles Lamont: One Life Behind the Camera – Part 2

The second part of our interview, focusing on his 1970s adult film career.

18th February 2018

How Jimi Hendrix’s Roadie became a Porn Producer
Podcast 77

Neville Chesters was the road manager for Jimi Hendrix and The Who. He also made adult films.

4th February 2018

R.I.P. Jerry Butler
May 13, 1959 – January 27, 2018

Jerry Butler passed away this week. We remember our friendship with a true character.

21st January 2018

C. Davis Smith and Charles Lamont: One Life Behind the Camera – Part 1

Film director and cinematographer C. Davis Smith passed away in 2017. We remember his 1960s career.

14th January 2018

San Francisco Strip Clubs (1985-1995):
A Fan Remembers – Part 2

The second installment of San Francisco strip joint memories from the golden age.

7th January 2018

The Story of ‘Midnight Blue’: Sex, Lies, and Videotape – Podcast 76

The untold story of the legendary and wild New York public access TV show, Midnight Blue.

31st December 2017

Come Again Erotic Boutique:
The Photographs of Efrain Gonzalez

A selection of photos taken at the Come Again erotic boutique in the mid 1980s by Efrain Gonzalez.

24th December 2017

Supporting Characters podcast – Happy Holidays from The Rialto Report!

Ashley West is interviewed by Bill Ackerman from the Supporting Characters podcast.

17th December 2017

The Show World Interviews – Vivienne Maricevic

Vintage interviews from back-stage at Show World – featuring adult film performers including Samantha Fox, Danielle, Sparky Vasc and Tish Ambrose.

10th December 2017

On Stage at Show World – The Photographs of Vivienne Maricevic

A striking series of previously unpublished photographs taken by Vivienne Maricevic showing the live shows at Show World.

3rd December 2017

Keisha: The Innocence of an Adult Film Star – Podcast 74

Keisha’s career encompassed the adult film industry, phone sex, featured dancing – and escorting. This is her story – told exclusively to The Rialto Report.

2nd December 2017

Jeanne Silver Fundraiser:
A Thank You

The fundraiser for Jeanne Silver has closed and, thanks to you, we reached a new record.

26th November 2017

Alexandria: A Mystery Is Solved

Ever since we started The Rialto Report, we wanted to interview 1970s dancer/performer Alexandria, but we never even knew her name. Then she wrote to us.

19th November 2017

Adult Film Locations 10:
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)

52 years after the film was shot, we took a trip into the Mojave desert to find the long-lost film locations.

12th November 2017

Jeanne Silver: A Fundraiser

We’re often asked how people can help support The Rialto Report. Here’s how: Please donate to the Jeanne Silver fundraiser that we’re launching today!

5th November 2017

Unexpected Outcomes:
Carl Parker and David Savage

Sometimes when we research the career of an actor, we don’t get the answers we expected at the outset… such as these two examples.