The Golden Age of Porn, also known as "porno chic," refers to a 15-year period (1969–1984) in commercial American pornography during which sexually explicit films received positive attention from mainstream cinemas, movie critics, and the general public. This period was characterized by the interaction between pornography and the contemporaneous second Radical and cultural feminists, as well as religious and conservative groups. The Golden Age of Porn was split into two waves: the first wave (the "porno chic" era) between the late 1960s to early 70s, and the second wave in the early 1980s.
Some key aspects of the Golden Age of Porn include:
Mainstream acceptance: Sexually explicit films were accepted by mainstream cinemas and movie critics, which was a significant change from previous decades.
Sex-positive feminism: The era was influenced by sex-positive or pro-pornography feminists who accepted porn as part of the sexual revolution.
Interaction with the film industry: Many actors and performers in adult films started out as aspiring stage, TV, or film talent and began performing in live sex shows, loops, and full-length pornographic features to make quick cash.
Decline: The rise of home video in the early 1980s led to the end of the era, as people started watching porn at home instead of going to movie theaters. The widespread adoption of VCRs and the rise of the internet in the 1990s also contributed to the decline of the adult theater business model.
Other Factors in Decline
The "golden age of porn" is often considered to have spanned from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, and its decline can be attributed to a confluence of factors:
Technological Shifts:
- The rise of VHS: The advent of home video technology in the early 1980s made porn significantly more accessible and affordable, but it also led to a decline in production quality as studios focused on churning out large quantities of low-budget content. This shift from cinematic storytelling to formulaic, exploitative content alienated some viewers who appreciated the artistic and narrative elements of earlier films.
- The rise of cable TV: The emergence of cable TV in the 1970s and 1980s provided new outlets for adult entertainment, but it also led to increased regulation and censorship, making it more difficult for high-quality porn to reach a mainstream audience.
Societal and Political Changes:
- The rise of conservative values: The Reagan era in the 1980s saw a resurgence of conservative values in the United States, which led to increased scrutiny and condemnation of pornography. This cultural shift made it more difficult for the industry to operate and contributed to a decline in its public image.
- The AIDS epidemic: The AIDS epidemic in the 1980s sparked anxieties about sexual health and risk-taking behavior, leading to a decline in public appetite for explicit sexual content. This further marginalized the porn industry and cast a negative shadow over its products.
Economic Factors:
- Increased competition: The rise of home video and cable TV led to a proliferation of porn producers, saturating the market and making it more difficult for individual studios to stand out. This competition drove down prices and further reduced the incentive to produce high-quality content.
- Legal and regulatory challenges: The porn industry has always faced legal and regulatory hurdles, but these challenges became more severe in the 1980s with the rise of anti-pornography campaigns and increased government scrutiny. This made it more difficult for studios to operate and distribute their products.
It's important to note that the decline of the "golden age" is not a clear-cut event, and there are different perspectives on when and why it happened. Some argue that the industry simply shifted gears, adapting to new technologies and social mores while continuing to provide a thriving market for adult entertainment. However, there's no doubt that the 1960s and 1970s represented a unique period in the history of pornography, characterized by greater artistic freedom, higher production quality, and a more prominent role in mainstream culture.
Films
During the Golden Age of Porn, which lasted from 1969 to 1984, several films stood out for their quality, production values, and engaging storylines. Some of the top films from this era include:
- The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1976): Directed by Radley Metzger, this film is considered one of the high watermarks of the Golden Age of Porn and is known for its smart, funny writing and beautiful cinematography.
- Deep Throat (1972): This film, which began the "porno chic" movement, features Linda Lovelace's oral talents in the service of a comedic plot.
- The Devil in Miss Jones (1973): Directed by Gerard Damiano, this film is known for its unique and interesting plot, which has been often imitated.
- Naked Afternoon (1976): This film is considered one of the first "meta" porn movies, as it stars a beautiful and innocent-looking woman who is unaware that she is in the middle of a pornographic film.
- Score (1974): This film is known for its high production values and engaging storyline, making it a standout of the Golden Age of Porn.
These films, along with others like "Flesh Gordon," "The Private Afternoons of Pamela Mann," and "Reel People," showcased the artistic value and narrative-driven approach that characterized the Golden Age of Porn.