In the early 1970s, a young actress from New York found herself transitioning into the vibrant, chaotic world of San Francisco—a city that seemed to embody free-spirited values of the era. This transition came after her minor but significant role in The Owl and the Pussycat, which, even though it was brief, helped her secure a Screen Actors Guild card. She saw this as a stepping stone into the world of acting.
Her fascination with Los Angeles, the supposed heart of film and entertainment, was short-lived after a promotional tour for her previous film. Finding the city less appealing than she had hoped, she turned her sights to San Francisco, a haven of counterculture where she felt at home amid the thriving drug, sex, and rock 'n' roll scene.
The Struggles of Finding Work
In San Francisco, the actress struggled to find acting gigs. The industry wasn't exactly bustling in the area, forcing her to take up several odd jobs. From working as a hostess at a health food restaurant to becoming a topless dancer—a secret her mother remained blissfully unaware of—she did what she could to survive while daily scouring the newspaper for acting opportunities.
It was not long before she found a casting call for a major motion picture in the San Francisco Chronicle. Excited but unaware of what awaited her, she called the number provided. However, the casting directors quickly informed her that they were done casting. Undeterred, she pressed on, begging them to allow her to audition—a testament to her determination.
The Audition Experience
After receiving a hesitant "okay," she found herself at a casting call that felt increasingly strange. Surrounded by the unusual ambiance of the audition venue, she encountered a form that asked whether she was interested in a "balling" or a "non-balling" role. Confused and assuming it was a typo related to bowling, she opted for the former: she was ready to roll.
As she filled out the form, an instinct told her that this was not the typical audition scenario she had anticipated. Before she could leave, she was beckoned by the Mitchell brothers, Jim and Art, who looked considerably more preppy than she had expected in the adult film industry—no cigar-smoking, jaded producers in sight.
Behind the Green Door
The brothers explained Behind the Green Door, an erotic film that claimed to be different due to its narrative focus rather than merely serving as a string of explicit scenes. The concept revolved around a woman's fantasy of being taken to an exclusive erotic club. Their storytelling intrigued her, as it marked a departure from the stag films that dominated the genre.
Despite her initial hesitations about including sexual content, she found herself drawn into the possibilities the role presented, rationalizing that it could potentially serve as a launchpad for her career. By the time their meeting concluded, she provided them with her price and a proposal for a percentage of the film's gross. Her dismissal of the project was not as straightforward as she imagined; they called her shortly after to accept her terms, throwing her into an unexpected whirlwind.
As she geared up for the film, an unexpected twist arose. A past modeling gig—shooting for Ivory Soap and portraying a mother on the box—was finally coming to fruition. Miraculously, the product was set to be released the same week as Behind the Green Door. This serendipity caught the attention of the Mitchell brothers, who recognized the potential to leverage this dual publicity for their project.
The coincidence created a lively PR opportunity where the stories of an alluring soap box mom and a provocative film became intertwined, igniting interest and intrigue among the public.
In reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding her decision to join an adult film project in an era where the boundaries of sexuality in cinema were being pushed. Her experience within the colorful tapestry of the San Francisco scene and the serendipity of her modeling career intertwined to create a moment that would soon capture the attention of audiences. Ultimately, Behind the Green Door not only marked her foray into the realm of adult cinema but also served as a vehicle for her to navigate the complexities of her burgeoning career as an actress in an ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
Part 1/7:
How I Landed a Role in "Behind the Green Door"
In the early 1970s, a young actress from New York found herself transitioning into the vibrant, chaotic world of San Francisco—a city that seemed to embody free-spirited values of the era. This transition came after her minor but significant role in The Owl and the Pussycat, which, even though it was brief, helped her secure a Screen Actors Guild card. She saw this as a stepping stone into the world of acting.
Part 2/7:
Her fascination with Los Angeles, the supposed heart of film and entertainment, was short-lived after a promotional tour for her previous film. Finding the city less appealing than she had hoped, she turned her sights to San Francisco, a haven of counterculture where she felt at home amid the thriving drug, sex, and rock 'n' roll scene.
The Struggles of Finding Work
In San Francisco, the actress struggled to find acting gigs. The industry wasn't exactly bustling in the area, forcing her to take up several odd jobs. From working as a hostess at a health food restaurant to becoming a topless dancer—a secret her mother remained blissfully unaware of—she did what she could to survive while daily scouring the newspaper for acting opportunities.
Part 3/7:
It was not long before she found a casting call for a major motion picture in the San Francisco Chronicle. Excited but unaware of what awaited her, she called the number provided. However, the casting directors quickly informed her that they were done casting. Undeterred, she pressed on, begging them to allow her to audition—a testament to her determination.
The Audition Experience
After receiving a hesitant "okay," she found herself at a casting call that felt increasingly strange. Surrounded by the unusual ambiance of the audition venue, she encountered a form that asked whether she was interested in a "balling" or a "non-balling" role. Confused and assuming it was a typo related to bowling, she opted for the former: she was ready to roll.
Part 4/7:
As she filled out the form, an instinct told her that this was not the typical audition scenario she had anticipated. Before she could leave, she was beckoned by the Mitchell brothers, Jim and Art, who looked considerably more preppy than she had expected in the adult film industry—no cigar-smoking, jaded producers in sight.
Behind the Green Door
The brothers explained Behind the Green Door, an erotic film that claimed to be different due to its narrative focus rather than merely serving as a string of explicit scenes. The concept revolved around a woman's fantasy of being taken to an exclusive erotic club. Their storytelling intrigued her, as it marked a departure from the stag films that dominated the genre.
Part 5/7:
Despite her initial hesitations about including sexual content, she found herself drawn into the possibilities the role presented, rationalizing that it could potentially serve as a launchpad for her career. By the time their meeting concluded, she provided them with her price and a proposal for a percentage of the film's gross. Her dismissal of the project was not as straightforward as she imagined; they called her shortly after to accept her terms, throwing her into an unexpected whirlwind.
The Coincidental Timing
Part 6/7:
As she geared up for the film, an unexpected twist arose. A past modeling gig—shooting for Ivory Soap and portraying a mother on the box—was finally coming to fruition. Miraculously, the product was set to be released the same week as Behind the Green Door. This serendipity caught the attention of the Mitchell brothers, who recognized the potential to leverage this dual publicity for their project.
The coincidence created a lively PR opportunity where the stories of an alluring soap box mom and a provocative film became intertwined, igniting interest and intrigue among the public.
Conclusion
Part 7/7:
In reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding her decision to join an adult film project in an era where the boundaries of sexuality in cinema were being pushed. Her experience within the colorful tapestry of the San Francisco scene and the serendipity of her modeling career intertwined to create a moment that would soon capture the attention of audiences. Ultimately, Behind the Green Door not only marked her foray into the realm of adult cinema but also served as a vehicle for her to navigate the complexities of her burgeoning career as an actress in an ever-evolving entertainment landscape.