I was thrilled to be invited to last week’s 50th anniversary of the quintessential classic, Deep Throat – held at 910 WEHO in West Hollywood.
The Legend of Deep Throat
Perhaps the film most synonymous with the adult industry, 1972’s Deep Throat was a milestone. And none of the male cast members were named Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein or “Tricky Dick”. That was a whole ‘nother thing which just happened to share the same nefarious year.
Directed and written by Gerard Damiano, with the legendary Linda Lovelace starring in the lead role, the movie gained infamy for its portrayal of a woman whose clitoris is located in her throat. You read that correctly.
The director’s son, Gerard Damiano Jr. was on hand for the event and we got to enjoy time together on the red carpet and then participating in a talkback panel after the screening. The memories were flowing and it was a memorable discussion.
Deep Throat’s Historical Significance
Despite widespread controversy and attempted censorship, the film played a significant role in breaking down sexual taboos in the 1970s. In recent years, the documentary “Inside Deep Throat” shed light on the making of the film and its impact on American culture. The documentary explored themes of artistic freedom, censorship, and sexuality… highlighting the important discussions that the movie sparked in its already progressive decade.
Not surprisingly, Hollywood couldn’t resist making their own timely biopic. Entitled “Lovelace“, the studio even got A-lister Amanda Seymore to participate, in what ended up being a daring and career-making role for the young actress. Mamma Mia, indeed!
Event Attendees
A star-studded and monumental adult industry event, the red carpet included Gerard Jr. and his sister Christar, Nai’a Felig (Gloria Leonard’s granddaughter), Dr. Susan Block, Jane Hamilton – and yours truly!
Overall, “Deep Throat” remains an iconic film that both challenged and shaped societal views on sex and censorship. I was honored to be invited to the recent event, enjoyed catching up with some old friends, and – if you’ve never seen it – you can watch Deep Throat on demand in my library.