(1972) 68 Minutes.
w/d – Gerard Damiano. Cast: Georgina Spelvin, Harry Reems, John Clemens, Marc
Stevens, Levi Richards, Judith Hamilton, Erica Havens and Albert Gork (Damiano).
Following several quasi-documentaries and the very successful DEEP THROAT,
Damiano made DEVIL, his first serious film and the film he obviously cared about. To call
the film a milestone is to completely use understatement. It not only still holds up, it passes
the test of time totally and could arguably be placed in anyone’s all time top 10 best adult
film list. Georgina plays Justine Jones, a frustrated spinster who decides that suicide is the
only way out. Because she has lived a pure life, she finds herself in limbo where Mr. Abaca
(John Clemens) informs her that she can’t qualify for Heaven and she isn’t wicked enough
for Hell. Her only option is to spend a short time consumed by lust to gain admittance into
Hell. Harry Reems plays the teacher assigned to provide her the necessary sexual
instruction.
Made in late 1972 and released theatrically in early 1973, the film remains forever significant
for three reasons. It was the first major explicit film to deal with serious subject matter. It
introduced Georgina Spelvin, an incredibly accomplished sexual being, who could also act
on a level not yet seen in adult films. Finally, the very structure of the sex scenes has
become a prototype for future films. This is the first ‘one of everything’ porno films — oral,
straight, anal, lesbian, masturbation, 3-way, kink (bananas and a snake) and finally a
sandwich scene. The only thing missing is an all out orgy with 6 or more people.
Cinematically the film stands out for 2 particular scenes. The suicide, done with a razor
blade in a bath tub filled with dirty water, is as good as anything Hollywood has ever done.
Damiano’s view of Hell is also most inspired. While it may be pretentious, his conception
of eternal damnation is enough to shock anyone that wants to sit down and contemplate
the reality of the word eternity. Those who would view this film as dated have not yet learned
the simple fact that it is impossible for erotic sex to ever become dated.
Georgina’s performance is monumental in tfie annals of carnal cimena. For the those
interested in Identifying people, my credits do differ substantially from those on the original
film. Mine are based on historical reflection to provide best known stage names. Stevens
and Richards are in the sandwich scene, Erica Havens (aka Karen Havens who worked
well into the late 70s) is in the group scene. The woman with Georgina in the lesbian scene
(which has sometimes been cut on video tape for time considerations) is best billed as
Judith Hamilton in the film 3 AM. She and Georgina can also be found together In such
diverse films as SLEEPYHEAD and THE JOURNEY OF O. Damiano’s cameo pays homage
to Dwight Frye, as the loony obsessed with a fly DEVIL IN MISS JONES still stands as
one of the best adult films ever made.