Source: Cinema Seen
By: William Margold
Cinema Seen by William Margold, reprinted courtesy of Bill Margold and the LA Xpress. Bill discusses the ineptitude of other Halls of Fame, less versus more, the acumen of Jim South, and his own humility.
Because of LAXpress publishing deadlines constraints…and to allow Mike, the cherubic whirligig that makes my Cinema Seen page always look so enticing…I am unable to either bask in the glow or writhe in the despair of my Oscar ”predictions”—because this page was created and handed in two days before the Academy Awards took place.
Therefore, although faced with many unusual ways to fill this column, I thought that I would call attention to one of my most important annual events: The Legends of Erotica in Las Vegas.
Of course, the intensity of each year’s emotionally charged affair is fueled by the sentiment: ”There is no future if in the present we fail to pay homage to the past.”
And so it was on Friday evening, January 9 at Showgirl Video (631 South Las Vegas Blvd.) that what I pronounced as ”The Historical Handful” became part of XXX’s most respected and most discerning Hall of Fame.
(The left to right group shot glorifying this page includes newly inducted ”Legends” Stephanie Swift, Sunset Thomas, Tom Byron and Shane—plus 2009 Carnal Medal of Honor recipient, the highly respected, ”always fair” adult entertainment industry journalist Jared Rutter. To the right of Jared is the exciting adult filmmaker and ebullient performer Madison Young who was brought up to the stage to help posthumously induct legendary adult director Gerard Damiano. The very intriguing Ms. Young, Jared and I all read heartfelt tributes to Mr. Damiano from such previously inducted Legends of Erotica as Gloria Leonard, Jody Maxwell, Georgina Spelvin, and Annie Sprinkle.)
Although other adult organizations, including Adult Video News and the X-Rated Film Critics, launched their Halls of Fame years before the Legends of Erotica (whose first inductions took place in 1994, and into which I was inducted ”by complete surprise” in 1998)—and I am in both the XRCO/1989 and AVN/1993 Halls- –I feel that the sincerity of their well-intentioned original concepts have fallen despairingly into the ”more is less” trap, as they have taken to haphazardly ”honoring” many who were, are, and never will be worthy of belonging in any Hall…except perhaps as janitors…or housekeepers! But that’s a situation best left in the San Fernando Valley vacuous-ness and Midwest minded muddle that makes up those who are content to be as indifferent as they are ignorant when it comes to ”historical merit” and ”legendary insight.”
With the passing of the virtually irreplaceable Jim Holliday at the end of 2004, I am currently regarded as ”the Hardcore Historian” by almost all within the Adult Entertainment Industry, and I am contacted regularly by numerous researchers and documentary film makers from academia and the mainstream world whenever they want to know about ”my world.” and I say ”my world” with equal amounts of proprietary and protective intensity, because I have, since 1972, built up a track record of involvement in XXX that allows me the privilege to have the right to say so.
Yes, I realize there are a few flatulent fools, pontificating pinheads and nickel and dime gurus who hold me in contempt…but that’s their private Hell…and they are welcome to wallow in it. Indeed…I have accepted my position with considerable humility. And I am dedicated to keep the fires that Holliday ignited burning brightly.
To that extent…with the blessing of Showgirl’s owner, Raymond Pistol, I decided to institute a perpetual ”less is more” policy with the Legends of Erotica this year, and thus I came up with ”The Historical Handful.”
Among the special features of each Legends of Erotica event is the presentation of a magnificent golden rose to each lady…and a tiny golden sword to the each gentlemen.
And as you study the names of some of those who have placed their various body parts in the massive cement blocks, and which are then emblazoned in gold paint, I would like to call your attention to the dapper fellow sitting to the right of adult super star T.T. Boy, looking genuinely moved while studying his own golden sword with childlike amusement. His name is Jim South, and well over 30 years ago, he created World Modeling Talent Agency (www.worldmodeling.com). The shot was taken during the 2004 Legends of Erotica inductions, and Mr. South had been requested by T.T. (World Modeling represented him for many years, just as it did for all four of this year’s inductees) to induct him. And right after Jim did the heartfelt, highly admiring honors, I surprised the truly humble (and remarkably shy gentleman) by inducting him (most deservedly) into the Legends of Erotica.
Quite frankly…one wonders just how many of the names on the walls of Showgirl would be up there…if it weren’t for World Modeling…and the soulful perseverance, patriarchal patience, and talent agent acumen of Jim South.
