Page 12 - AVN February 2017

EDITORS DESK
SWEET MEMORIES
In the wake of loss, honor the past
LAST MONTH, WITHIN JUST A FEW DAYS, the adult industry lost two men who can
truly be called giants in their respective fields. Both men passed away suddenly,
doing what they loved, and both left behind more than their bereaved family
and friends: Each one had laid down a proud legacy that will continue to inspire
colleagues and admirers.
First came the passing of Eldorado Trading Company founder Larry Garland,
who created one of the biggest pleasure product distribution companies in the
United States. But more important, he built a business that conforms to his own
high standards of quality control, integrity and innovation. And at the same time
he secured a personal reputation as one of the nicest, most compassionate and
most forward-thinking individuals in the industry.
Garland’s friends and colleagues can rest assured that Eldorado will continue
on with the leadership of his family and the hard work of his devoted staff. And
for all of us who knew him—whether from years-long friendships or from recent
acquaintance—memories of him will continue to endure as well.
For those seeking to honor those memories in some concrete way, Garland’s
family suggests donations to two national organizations—Planned Parenthood and
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society—or the Colorado-based Community Food
Share (650 S. Taylor Ave., Louisville, CO 80027; 303-652-3663).
Just two days after Garland’s passing came news of William Margold’s demise.
A fixture on the adult scene since the 1970s who carried the mantle of the
industry’s historian, Margold loved adult performers and he struggled to protect
them and advance their interests, first through his work with the Free Speech
Coalition and then with his own organization, Protecting Adult Welfare (PAW).
So if one had to guess what William Margold might have been doing later this
month, if he were still with us, it’s not a stretch to assume he could have been
found at a series of events titled “The Golden Age of Adult Cinema,” taking place
three Sundays in February at the Cupcake Theater in North Hollywood. And
attending these tributes to porn’s golden past would be a happy way to celebrate
Margold’s memory.
The creation of David Bertolino, author of the play The Deep Throat Sex Scandal,
EDITOR’S DESK | By Sharan Street
12 | AVN.com | 2.17
the shows bring together top actresses from the classic porn era to talk about their
experiences.
Bertolino told AVN that he came up with the idea while talking with actresses
Veronica Hart and Kay Parker and screenwriter Raven Touchstone, telling them,
“One of these days, I’m going to do a gathering of the top iconic figures of the
industry, and do a stage event, not unlike Inside The Actors Studio with James
Lipton.”
Now his idea has come to fruition and he has a dozen prominent stars from
porn’s earlier years participating. And at Hart’s suggestion, Bertolino is bringing
on a current actress each weekend. “Riley Reid just contacted us and she’s going
to do the first weekend with the four ladies we have scheduled, so it’ll be the five
of them. It’s going to be great.”
Each show, which is expected to last about 90 minutes, will have the actresses
talk for about 10 minutes each about their lives and careers, with clips from
some of their movies ushering them in and possibly playing soundlessly in the
background during their talks. Then, after each actress has said her piece, all five
will be brought on stage to be questioned by the show’s emcee, Nick Santa Maria.
After the stage portion of the evening is over, attendees will be welcomed into
the theater’s lobby, where the actresses will be seated at tables with photos, movie
posters, DVDs and other materials they will autograph and sell, including any
books they may have written. It’s also in the lobby that the show’s official after-
party will take place, hosted by crossover star Ron Jeremy, as well as director Paul
Thomas and actor Herschel Savage.
In addition, screenwriter Touchstone will show her photographs “from the times
she was on adult sets, and many have never been seen before,” Bertolino said.
“She’s got phenomenal candid behind-the-scenes photographs of the movies that
she was involved with as the company photographer. It’s great stuff.”
The first event begins Sunday, February 12 at 6 p.m.—”I didn’t want it to be
too late because people have to go to work the next day,” Bertolino said—and will
continue on the following two Sundays as well, at the Cupcake Theater, 11020
Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Tickets can be purchased at Goldstar.com.