The Devil Made Me Do It [Paperback]

Georgina Spelvin was one among a host of starlets whose names are synonymous with the phrase `the golden age of porn'. Although there are many names (Ginger Lynn, Annie Sprinkle, Gloria Leonard and Marilyn Chambers spring readily to mind), there are not, to my mind, many film titles from this era that have entered into the mainstream consciousness. Perhaps `Deep Throat', `Behind the Green Door', `Debbie Does Dallas' and `The Devil in Miss Jones' are the titles that would garner most lascivious nods and winks from those who may not have seen these movies but know them by reputation. And it was `The Devil in Miss Jones' for which Ms. Spelvin is probably best known - as is reflected by her book's title.

It should be pointed out that Georgina Spelvin only took that name on completion of `The Devil in Miss Jones', but she uses that name on the book's cover and makes no mention of her real name within its pages.`The Devil Made Me Do It' gets down to brass tacks from the off. It is 1972 and Georgina is contemplating her first hardcore scene in an adult movie. For an actress who was to have a relatively prolific career, her debut in hardcore came unusually late: she was 36 years old and already twice divorced. The descriptive writing here, and in other parts of the book, alternates between what is going on in Georgina's head ("If you yawn you won't gag. It's not really THAT big," as she contemplates getting up, close and personal with her co-star), and the more conventional descriptive and discursive prose that illustrates her colourful life. From free-spirited flower-powered far-out bohemian, the book follows Georgina's life into adult films, alcoholism and into the more traditional concepts of respectability. Only the names have been changed to protect the guilty.

This is more a memoir than a straightforward biography, but matters are dealt with chronologically. The book opens in 1972, so Georgina's early life, other than a few brief mentions, is discounted. However, the time that is covered makes for an absorbing read. She famously went to meet director, the late Gerard Damiano, to discuss her possible employment managing the catering on `The Devil in Miss Jones' and came out with the unexpected bonus of the leading role in the film as well as the catering gig. The writing is light and often self-deprecating and the author often has fun with the exaggerated language beloved of some theatre ("theatah") folk.

Her battle against the bottle isn't really given the prominence that it requires in my opinion. An early reference to it is made when Georgina remarks that she is drinking wine way before noon, but how much of a grip it had on her comes as something of a shock later in the book. The chapters on Georgina's 1976 stripping gig in Atlantic City chaperoned by her mother are poignant, funny and harrowing as alcoholism overshadows her life. Another slight disappointment is the lack of photographs in the book. Georgina explains that this is because the book is self-published and she is limited to using non-glossy paper. Also largely unmentioned is her recent career in publishing. Again, this is something that's dropped into the writing almost like an afterthought. These gripes aside, this is a highly recommended book for those interested in its subject matter. Georgina Spelvin has a fascinating story to tell and she tells it very well.

"... it's an exciting thing to fornicate in the privacy of a film set ... taking off my clothes and shaking my booty in front of a live audience, however, was a whole `nother story. Don't laugh. It made me feel cheap." - Georgina Spelvin

Anyone of a certain age (55 or older) and gender (most likely, but not necessarily, male) may recollect - if memory hasn't failed by this late date - the three film classics of the 1970s that made porn "chic" and widely public: Deep Throat [DVD], BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR, and THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES starring, respectively, the three original queens of X-rated film, Linda Lovelace, Marilyn Chambers, and Georgina Spelvin. And let's not forget the contributions of Georgina's Brazilian Boa co-star.

Written in 2004 many years after most of the events chronicled, THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT, the autobiographical narrative by Georgina Spelvin, is fueled by notes and memories, and held together by dialogue of presumably loose reconstruction. What results is a memoir told in a chatty, matter-of-fact style pretty much devoid of any deep personal exploration or revelation. This is especially reflected in Georgina's description of the chronic alcoholism that plagued her during the latter half of the 1970s. Indeed, the text can be roughly divided into two markedly unequal parts, "BS" (before sobriety) and "AS" (after sobriety), the latter dating from November 11, 1980 and a hard-earned and well-deserved state. Honor is due.

Spelvin had an interesting career as an entertainer. Her conventional zenith came when she was lead dancer for the last few months of the Broadway production of "Pajama Game." Following that, she, almost by accident, fell into the lead role in THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES, the porn sensation that gifted her everlasting fame. Indeed, her paid duties during production included providing various orifices for sexual coupling with the male "stars" plus cooking for the cast and washing up the dishes. (A feminist's dream job, you think?)

Before and after TDIMJ, her means of earning a buck have included chorus line dancer, film editor, off-Broadway actor, costume designer, choreographer, fish gutter, one day as avocado packer (before being fired), window and bathroom cleaner at a construction site, and stripper. For her, like the rest of us, whatever it takes to survive. Since achieving sobriety, her career until retirement was in desktop publishing.

Is THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT a page turner? Is it the story of a remarkable life? Is it particularly salacious? In my opinion, "no" to all three. But it is the interesting and engaging narrative of an unconventional life that, by the book's conclusion, had me caring about the author enough to wish her well in the sunset of her days.

If you go to Georgina's personal website, you'll see her, white-haired and perhaps resembling your own grandmother, enjoying the landscaped back yard of her Los Angeles home; she's found lasting contentment. If nothing else, this should remind the reader that white-haired grandmothers were young once and may have lead unconventional lives