A Tale of Two Porn Stars

While checking out some of Angel's (see pics) scenes from the 80's, I came across the famous bedroom scene with her and Harry Reems. It occured to me that, for a guy who went on to completely shun the porn industry, Harry looks like he's having a whale of a time going to town on these beautiful (and very well made-up) women.

Angel runs the phone over her bush in 'L'Amour'.

I hate to use the word 'hypocritical' - its like a damn cliché. But, I tell you, something about it just doesn't sit right with me. Can one at least acknowledge what a pleasurable experience the below pic must have been - as well as many similar experiences.

Maybe he has - hey, I am not the most informed pundit out there and I am sure Harry had his share of negative experiences in the industry. In particular, that whole imbroglio surrounding the 'Deep Throat' saga. Btw, by several accounts, many in the adult industry (and mainstream, as well), rallied around him regarding his legal situation at the time.


On the flipside, consider John Leslie, a performer of similar note and from the same time period. He has managed to settle into "retirement", at least from performing. At any rate, here is a guy who has had a better time of it.

John Leslie, among a very select few, may be the closest thing to (or best candidate as) an ambassador for adult film.

At least that's my impression.

So what I am thinking is, the porn experience does not necessarily have to be detrimental to one's mental well-being. It may be the flaws in one character that create issues - with regards to their porn experience - that come to the surface later on.

Someone - with a whole lot more eloquence than me - once put it this way:

"While porn may not be empowering, it's not demeaning either. It's just there. It just exists. If you understand what porn is and if you're willing to live with the way society will react to your decision to do porn, there's nothing wrong with it. Nobody should ever let society dictate their self-worth, but at the same time, porn stars do have to be willing to live with the Scarlet Letter society will bestow upon them."

The difference in the way that "scarlet letter" is bestowed on women vs. men is a topic for another day.