Georgina Spelvin: The Mr. Skin Skinterview

After beginning her career on Broadway, Georgina Spelvin (Picture-1-2-3) became an overnight sensation in the world of porn chic when she starred in the X-rated classic The Devil in Miss Jones in 1973. Over the course of making 70 adult movies, Ms. Spelvin worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Harry Reems and Gerard Damiano. Georgina retired after a storied career, and now she’s written a book about her experiences, The Devil Made Me Do It. She recently took some time out to discuss porn with our own Maximilian Mueller.

Looking back, what is most memorable about your involvement with The Devil in Miss Jones? Why?

The press. Twenty years of hoofing my little tootsies off—trying to earn my right to say I was in the business of show—and the first time I get any national recognition, it’s for performing on camera acts I’d only performed on casting couches up to that point. Not exactly what my family was hoping for, I’m sure—though it was never discussed.

What was the best thing about being a top starlet in the era of porn chic? Why?

The best thing was getting called to do other films without having to audition. Though the pay was paltry, it kept us going. Us being the Pickle Factory film commune.

What was it like to work with Gerard Damiano?

He was personable, considerate, funny, fun, and very capable. I’d spent the last few years producing audio/visual projects for a large corporation and knew a respectable amount about film and film production. I’d also worked—not always as an actress, but sometimes as the client—with quite a few directors. I never saw a better one than Jerry. Thank goodness his wonderful family threw him a surprise 80th birthday party August 3rd and invited me. I flew to Ft. Myers, Florida, for it. I hadn’t seen Jerry since the last film I did for him back in 1979. I was so glad for that opportunity to tell him how great he is.

Did you watch any of the sequels to Devil? Do you have a favorite?

Whoops. Here it comes. I fully expect to be drummed off the Internet, but in the service of truth, I must admit, I don’t watch porn unless I have to, so I’ve not seen any of them. The one that Henri Pachard did with Jack Wrangler was the only one I remember being in “back then.” The shoot was TORTURE. Hot, hot, hot—but not in the good way. The remake that Paul Thomas just did—the job I couldn’t resist—the thing that got me involved in the X world again—the thing that got me to finally write my damn book—that shoot was a little bit of heaven. Huge budget. Great cast and crew. Terrific locations. Fan-TAS-tic sex going on all over the place—even though I didn’t get any of it. But that was no problem. Since I found my true love I’ve had no need and no desire whatsoever to have sex with anyone else. No one was more surprised than I to find that really happens.

What’s your favorite porn film from the 1970s that you weren’t involved in?

I haven’t seen any porn films that I’m not in (see above)—and (like I said) not many of those.

Can you tell us a little about your relationship with Clair Lumiere?

I wish I had a better understanding about that. When she and I met, I was in lust with a long-haired biker-type sound man. My nearly ten-year relationship with a remarkably talented director/writer that had begun in a fiery affair had cooled to the cordial but not ardent status of your average ten-year marriage. I had itchy britches, no doubt about it. Iron Mike—said sound man—worked on many of the projects I was responsible for at the J.C. Penny Co. He was, however, living with someone himself, so I saw no big romance on that horizon. Still, I couldn’t resist finding ways to be in his company. Claire was a kid determined to drop out of college and find adventure and self-enlightenment. Both appealed to me too. I didn’t recognize her sexual interest in me for a long time. I was pretty naïve for a former dancer who had been around several blocks by that point in my life. I felt quite motherly toward the waif and persuaded her to re-think her plans. Next thing I knew we were setting up a film commune in the West Village—very near the bike shop that Iron Mike owned. Yes, she was cover for my unabashed lust. Next thing after that she was showing me the finer points of cunilingus—among other things. I was a willing contributor to her delinquency—if you care to look at it as such—but she was well over 21. I was well over 35! I didn’t realize what a crush she had on me for a long time. Or I didn’t want to recognize it. Anyway, after quite a long odyssey together, she found a flock of her own feather and we parted, lost touch, and were reunited through the magic of email only a few years ago. She has given her blessing to the revelations in the book, and we have become better friends now than we ever could have been “back then.” Iron Mike married Veronica Hart (Picture-1-2)—one of my dearest friends in the X world and still a bosom buddy. Mike finally lost a valiant battle with cancer last June 11th.

Excluding Marilyn Monroe (Picture-1), who are the three sexiest Hollywood actresses from previous eras? Why?

Dietrich, Garbo, and Ava Gardner. Why? I wish I knew.

Excluding Angelina Jolie (Picture-1), who are the three sexiest Hollywood actresses working today? Why?

Hmmmmmm. Queen Latifah, Meryl Streep (Picture-1), and Helen Hunt (Picture-1-2). Because you can never doubt them.

What Hollywood actress would you like to see play you in your life story? Why?

That thought just terrifies me. I don’t want to know about it if they do make a movie of my book—well, except for getting the checks, of course. I hope to hell I don’t have to watch it, if such a far-out thing should take place. Why? Why? How the hell do I know? I just know my stomach turns into a knot at the very thought of it.

What Hollywood actress would YOU have liked to play in HER life story? Why?

Cyd Charisse. Why? Because she got to dance with Gene Kelly.

Do you remember the first movie nudity you ever saw? Is there a funny story attached to that?

I don’t remember seeing any nudity in films before I saw The Devil in Miss Jones footage. I know the hottest movie scene in my promiscuous adolescence was the barn scene in The Outlaw. Our little gang of that time and place saw it about twenty times. Audie Murphy was the sexiest thing I’d seen since Rhett Butler. You must remember, I’m 72 years old. I used to jerk off to books like God’s Little Acre and Tobacco Road.

Who are the three sexiest Hollywood actresses working today? Why?

Didn’t we cover that with Queen Latifah et al? Her turn in Chicago (“If you’re good to Mamma…”) had me giggling and wet at the same time. She just looks like she’d be SO MUCH FUN. Two others? I just don’t know. I just did a radio show (Playboy Night Calls) with Nina Hartley (Picture-1-2). Now THERE is one sexy, SMART woman. Cute too.

What’s next for Georgina Spelvin?

You mean after my book becomes a bestseller and I can go back to writing four or five hours a day? I want to get the sequel, Going Down in Flames, ready. It’s about half written, but I now know that writing it is the easy part. Selling is the hard part. Thank you so very much for helping me out with that by posing these challenging questions and giving me this great forum. I hope I hear from folks who read it and have, perhaps, further questions of their own. I’m here every day at georginasworld@gmail.com from dawn to 9:30. That’s when John, my far better half, and I go to the gym. Well, HE goes to the gym. I go to the SPA. He works out. I soak and stroke—stretch and wiggle, and generally have a wonderful time playing with myself.