Los Angeles, CA) — One of the most controversial, profitable, and iconic films ever made comes home to Hollywood as the World Tour to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of “Deep Throat” draws to a close. This Friday, June 2, the Laemmle Royal Theater will host a red-carpet event and screen a 4K Restoration, presented by the director’s son and daughter, Gerard Jr. and Christar Damiano, who will share their stories of being on location in Miami during the filming of “Deep Throat” and being raised by the man whose original name for an oral technique is in Webster’s Dictionary.
World-renowned sexologist Dr. Susan Block will moderate the talkback following the screening. They will be joined by veteran “Golden Age” Porn Star Herschel Savage and the legendary Nina Hartley, whose career in adult film spans four decades, to discuss the history, cultural impact, and controversies surrounding the film.
“Deep Throat entertained, aroused and outraged the world—and it still does,” says Dr.Susan Block. “So, I’m looking forward to seeing the movie as its late director Gerard Damiano intended, and to discussing the issues surrounding this seminal film (in every sense of the word) on our post-screening panel.”
“Deep Throat is synonymous with the sexual revolution of the 1970s. It captured lightning in a bottle, inspiring the intelligentsia of the day to embrace Porno Chic,” says Nina Hartley. “The subsequent legal battle laid the groundwork for adult entertainment’s transformation from an illicit part of the culture to its current ubiquity. All of us who enjoy adult entertainment today owe a debt of gratitude to Gerard Damiano’s vision.”
“Some of the theaters have been reluctant to show Deep Throat out of fear of push back based on comments the film’s star Linda Lovelace made years after it came out. Her story is a very complicated one, and there is no doubt that she suffered greatly at the hands of her husband. People assume that he beat her up because she didn’t want to perform in the film, but the truth of what actually happened on the set of Deep Throat is very different,” says Gerard Damiano Jr.
“Linda’s comments were made while she was being coached by Andrea Dworkin and Gloria Steinem and are often taken out of context,” he continues. “She was further used by the Reagan administration whose very public anti-porn agenda helped to galvanize his conservative Christian base. Linda later rejected the ‘anti-porn feminists’ and made peace with her past. At the end of her life she returned to porn, posing for “Leg Show” magazine and attended conventions where she autographed “Deep Throat” memorabilia and took photos with her fans.” His sister Christar adds “ Our father always dreamt of making films in Hollywood. We are proud to honor him by ending our
Deep Throat 50th anniversary world tour in California. “
Other adult film stars from the “Golden Age of Porn” are expected to be in
attendance. The Damianos will present the film the following night, Saturday,
June 3rd in a more intimate setting at 910 WeHo at 910 N La Cienega Blvd, Los
Angeles, CA 90069. They will then head to the Bay Area for the final shows of
the “Deep Throat @50 World Tour.”
Friday, June 2
Laemmle Royal
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Red Carpet Event 9:15 PM
Doors Open at 9:30 PM
Show starts at 10PM
Saturday, June 3
910WeHo
910 North La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Doors open at 8PM
Screening at 9PM
Talkback at 10PM
70s Themed Dance Party 11PM to close
For more information on how you may #VoteThroat and help Deep Throat to join the ranks of American classic cinema on the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry visit:
votethroat.org