The Devil in Miss Jones
Original 1973 theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Gerard Damiano |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Gerard Damiano |
| Starring | Georgina Spelvin Harry Reems |
| Release date | |
| Running time | 68 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Overview
[edit]The Devil in Miss Jones is a 1973 American adult film written and directed by Gerard Damiano. Released during the height of the "Golden Age of Porn" (or "Porno Chic"), it is widely regarded as one of the most artistically significant films in the genre.
Unlike many contemporary adult features, the film utilizes a sophisticated narrative structure inspired by Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist play No Exit. It is famously known for its somber tone, high production values, and the debut performance of Georgina Spelvin.
Plot
[edit]The story follows Justine Jones (Spelvin), a lonely woman who dies by suicide. Because she has lived a life devoid of passion or sin, she finds herself in a bureaucratic version of Limbo. She meets a cosmic entity named Abaca (John Clemens) and begs for a "reprieve" to return to Earth and experience the lust she missed during her life, in order to "earn" her place in Hell.
She is mentored by "The Teacher" (Harry Reems) in a series of sexual encounters. However, the film ends on a dark, ironic note: once Justine has become a "sex addict," her time expires. She is sent to her personal Hell—a small room with an indifferent, impotent man who ignores her, leaving her in a state of eternal, unfulfilled desire.
Critical Reception
[edit]The film was a massive critical and commercial success, outperforming many mainstream Hollywood films in 1973.
- Roger Ebert: Gave the film a 3-out-of-4 star rating, calling it the "best" of its genre and praising Spelvin as possibly the only real actress in the field.
- Variety: Stated that with this film, the "hard-core porno feature approaches an art form."
- Mainstream Success: It was the seventh highest-grossing film of 1973, ranking alongside mainstream hits like Paper Moon and Live and Let Die.
Production Notes
[edit]- Georgina Spelvin: She was originally hired as the production's caterer. Damiano cast her after hearing her read lines while assisting with auditions.
- Location: Much of the film was shot in a converted apple-packing plant in Pennsylvania.
- Soundtrack: The film features an original score by Alden Shuman, moving away from the generic library music used in most adult films of the time.
Legacy
[edit]- Awards: One of the first films inducted into the XRCO Hall of Fame.
- Sequels: The film spawned numerous sequels and remakes, most notably a big-budget 2005 remake starring Jenna Jameson and Savanna Samson.
- Public Domain: Due to a failure to renew the copyright under older U.S. laws, the original 1973 film is currently in the public domain.