
This story is dedicated to its subject, my dear friend Christian Mann: February 3, 1961 - July 30, 2014. He was a filmmaker, a wunderkind, a historian, an impresario, a twinkle in your eye. It's just not the same without him.
Ladies and Gents,
I present to you, the Porn/Hollywood Movie Quiz interview with Christian Mann, one of the
folk heroes and erotic-film-producer-wunderkinds of our times, probably known to many
as a Golden-and-Beyond-Age Adult Movie Producer and 1st Amendment activist.
He is one of my mentors, and I can't tell you how much I've learned from him over the
years.
Christian is a 2nd-generation sex-film entrepreneur. His father, Kurt Mann, created some
of the first "wrestling mags," nudie mags, and stag film productions and distribution. I
met Christian when he was managing (gay) Catalina Films, but he went on to innovate in
multi-culti and black Adult movies, as well as productions too numerous to count.
He was the producer of "Edward PenisHands,"' the best porn parody ever! He is now part
of the main engine of Evil Angel productions. Here are his answers to our movie quiz.
Posted by Susie, on behalf of Christian Mann
1. Quote Quiz
“C” must be Jim Holliday. I assumed it before I saw the writer’s names. I can hear him
now-- coughing, smoking, drunk. He always called me “Don Christian,” a short-lived
pseud I used when I “directed” a bi-sexual movie for Catalina Video.
The best opening line of a eulogy ever: John Holmes’ funeral, 1988… Jim Holliday’s
started with: “John Holmes was a liar.”
2. The First Time You Peered Into a Peep Show— What Did You See?
A woman billed as “Morgan LaFey” wearing a corset, boots, and a garrison cap. Short
shaggy hair like Freddy Mercury circa late 70’s.
It was at Frenchy’s K&T and I was there with Ken Kuhns, the owner’s son. I couldn’t react
because I was dating his sister Sandy, but I was oddly smitten.
The bigger shock was going in the basement and seeing several 50-gallon drums filled
with quarters.
3. Jamie Gillis vs. John Leslie?
Knew them both. I met Jamie when he was dating young Amber Lynn in 1984. He would
recite Shakespeare in over-the-top thespian style to the amusement of our coked-out
brood (Jerry Butler, Buck Adams, me.)
As for John… too many memories. I worked with him the last two years of his life.
I had breakfast with him and Joey Silvera two weeks prior to his last day.
Jamie vs. John? John.
4. Your Favorite Genre of Stag Film?
Nudist Colony Volleyball Match. I love the conceit of nudist films and books as somehow
being a lifestyle thing unrelated to pornography. “I love volleyball. Are the girls naked?
I didn’t even notice!”
5. Linda Lovelace BioPic Casting
Linda Lovelace: Valerie Bertinelli
Linda Lovelace’s Mother?: Bonnie Franklin (duh!)
Evil Porn Pimp/Linda’s Old Man: Billy Bob Thornton as Chuck Traynor
Gloria Steinem: Young Jane Fonda
Secret Linda Lovelace Lesbian Lover: Susie Bright
6. For Perfect Art House Masochism, make your case for the very best:
"Last Tango In Paris." Brando was shameless despite the shoddy script, direction,
everything.
The real rape was Maria Schneider’s letdown after the promise of a lead opposite Brando
that turned into that piece of crap. After she shot Brando, she should have shot Bertolucci.
7. Name One Classic Element of Swedish Erotica
The scarf. Credit Noel Bloom for the branding savvy. I love Noel. We still keep in touch.
8. Who's your favorite sex symbol who keeps turning up in the oddest places?
I may regret answering this…
I loved Kay Lenz in the early 1970’s. Think “Breezy” with William Holden, “Rich Man Poor
Man,” etc. I ended up meeting her six years ago through mutual friends.
I didn’t recognize “Kay” until she wrote down her name and I was so nonplussed
because I didn’t want her to know she had been the object of my fantasy when I was 12
years old.
I’ve seen her several times since then and I’ve been able to let it go. She doesn’t know
and I pray she doesn’t read this. I’m quite sure she doesn’t even know what industry I’m
in.
9. What is Your Porn Star Name?
Radames Chandeleur… My mother Aida named the dog “Radames” for obvious operatic
reasons. The street was Chandeleur Drive in San Pedro.
10. What Do The Following Five Films Have in Common?
I distributed them all when I ran Catalina Video.
11. Annette Haven vs. Seka?
Annette Haven.
12. Not the Bradys vs Who's Nailin’ Palin
I hate all those porn parodies, save for one that I produced, “Edward Penishands.”
13. What is Your Favorite Sex-Drenched Vampire Movie?
I work for John Stagliano, so I have to say “Voracious” (releases September 2012.)
14. What Was the First Nude Scene That Made an Impression on You?
I had already seen lots of pornography by the time I was 12, and I fantasized about Kay
Lenz who had a nude scene in “Breezy,” but none of those got to me like Susan
Sarandon’s nude scenes in “Pretty Baby” when I was 17. That one touched an Oedipal
nerve. Sarandon, Faye Dunaway, Jacqueline Bisset, are a source of lust to this day.
15. Name Your Most Esteemed Cross-Over Director
Tom DeSimone, a great guy who directed “Reform School Girls” and many movies for me
when I ran Catalina. His license plate used to read “X TO R”.
16. Who's Your Favorite Cross-Over Star?
I talk to Rocco Siffredi at least twice a week so I gotta say Rocco. By the way, fix your
spelling: it’s two “f”s and one “d”.
17. What was first and last X-rated movie you saw in movie theater?
The first was the premiere of a William Higgins film at the Century Theater. I hired Edith
Massey, the “egg lady” from the John Waters films to sing “Hey, Punks Get off the Lawn”
as the pre-movie entertainment. We stayed friends until she died.
The second was also the last: The premiere of “Pirates 2” at the Orpheum Theater in
downtown L.A. I sat between Samantha, one of the owner/producers of the film, and one
of my best friends, AVN founder Paul Fishbein, who is notoriously germophobic.
During the close-up of Belladonna spitting into Jesse Jane’s mouth, about 30 feet tall on
the screen, Paul started to gag and wretch while trying to hide behind me so Samantha
wouldn’t notice.
In a strange twist of fate, I now live across the street from that theater.
18. Who's the Best Male Porn Star Who Played both "Gay" and "Straight"?
I met all of them, but only worked with Stryker and Mark Stevens. Even so, I have to say
Jack Wrangler was the best -- a gentleman, smart, sophisticated. Read his book.
If it’s about the dick, then it’s John Holmes, although Stryker was more aggressive.
Stryker once pulled me through a car window in a fit of rage. It’s a miracle he didn’t kill
me. I can be persuasive under pressure.
19. Ginger Lynn vs. Bree Olsen
Ginger. It was a different time. “Stars” don’t really happen anymore.
20. Plugz vs. Wall of Voodoo
I liked WoV, but Plugz were one of my all-time favorites. Tito Larriva, Tony Marsico and
Chalo Quintana were the lineup I saw live so many times when they shared the bill with
my brother’s band.
Tito has elan. Listen to his “La Flor De Mal” recorded by the Plugz after they became
“Los Cruzados”. Los Angeles Mexi-punks. Their breakneck version of “La Bamba” proved
that punk could occur in any culture, with any musical idiom.
23. What could a sex film director do right this minute to give you an incredible
thrill?
Capture the magical sexiness of Sophia Loren doing a strip tease in “Ieri, Oggi, Domani”
(“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”)
21. Did You See the following "household name" porn films?
I never saw “Insatiable”. The most memorable thing to me of any of them is Harry
Reems’ ridiculous, accented portrayal of the doctor in “Deep Throat.” I just thought it was
stupid.
I love the story about John Lennon sneaking into the AVCO theater in Westwood to see
Deep Throat. He left after twenty minutes and as far as anyone knows, he was never
interested in pornography again.
22. Depending on your mood, what is your favorite or least-loved erotic/porn movie cliché?
The funky wah-wah guitar music. It can be either.
24. Best post-feminist erotic/porn flick you’ve seen yet?
I don’t like any of them.
25. Were there any adult films that you were initially excited about, only to be
disappointed with?
Many of the ones I produced or worked on fit the bill… None disappointed me as much as
“Female Aggressors” by Paul Norman, although “The Dream Team” by Jim Enright was
also horrible. “Westside” by Ren Savant had great moments but ultimately disappointed
me, too. I guess I’ve made some real crap through the years.
26. On a more positive note, did you encounter any films that you went into
expecting the worst and walked out being pleasantly surprised?
“Miscreants” by Rob Black. I wanted to hate it. I loved it for reasons too complicated to
explain.
27. Who is your Dream Team for the ultimate erotic movie?
Having produced a cinematic piece of dreck named “Dream Team,” I will observe the
show-biz tradition of leaving something on the editing floor. In this case, it’s the answer
to the previous question.
Photo Credit: Honey Lee Cottrell, of Susie and Christian in late 80s. When Christian's ex
was incinerating his old photo scrapbook, she spared this photo because she said it was
"different." It certainly was. (xoxoxo, 4ever).
More About Christian:
Carsey Wolf Center, UCSB Interview
Podcast Interview with Christian Mann on DirtyOldMen, starts rolling around 5:20
Remembrances on Porn Wiki Leaks
A Friendship of a Lifetime