Editing Deep Throat (film)

{{Infobox movie
| name           = Deep Throat
| image          = 
| caption        = Original theatrical poster
| director       = [[Gerard Damiano]]
| producer       = Louis Peraino
| writer         = Gerard Damiano
| starring       = [[Linda Lovelace]]<br />[[Harry Reems]]
| music          = 
| cinematography = 
| editing        = 
| released       = {{Start date|1972|06|12}}
| runtime        = 61 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $22,500
| gross          = $30 million - $600 million (disputed)
}}

== Overview ==
'''Deep Throat''' is a 1972 American [[adult film]] that became one of the most significant cultural phenomena of the 1970s. Written and directed by [[Gerard Damiano]], it is credited with launching the "[[Golden Age of Porn]]" (or "Porno Chic"), a period where adult cinema achieved mainstream theatrical success and critical attention.

The film is famous for its absurdist plot involving a woman (Lovelace) who discovers her clitoris is located in her throat, leading her to seek medical advice from a doctor (Reems).

== Historical Significance ==
=== Mainstream Success ===
Unlike previous "underground" adult films, ''Deep Throat'' was attended by mainstream celebrities, politicians, and couples. It was famously reviewed by the ''New York Times'' and mentioned in major talk shows, making it a "must-see" cultural event in New York City and Los Angeles during the early 1970s.

=== Profitability ===
The film is often cited as one of the most profitable independent films of all time. While the exact box office numbers are heavily disputed due to the involvement of organized crime in its distribution, estimates range from $30 million to as high as $600 million over several decades.

== Legal Battles ==
The film was at the center of several landmark legal cases regarding the [[First Amendment]] and obscenity laws in the United States.
* '''New York Trial (1973):''' A judge ruled the film "obscene," leading to its temporary ban in New York City.
* '''Harry Reems Prosecution:''' In a highly controversial move, co-star [[Harry Reems]] was prosecuted by the federal government for "conspiracy to transport obscene material across state lines." This led to a major defense campaign by mainstream Hollywood figures like Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.

== Controversies ==
In her 1980 autobiography ''Ordeal'', lead actress [[Linda Lovelace]] (born Linda Boreman) claimed that she had been coerced and physically abused by her then-husband, Chuck Traynor, into performing in the film. These revelations shifted the public perception of the film and fueled significant debate within the feminist movement regarding the adult industry.

== Legacy and "Deep Throat" Pseudonym ==
The film's title became so ingrained in the American lexicon that it was used as the pseudonym for the secret informant (later revealed to be Mark Felt) who provided information to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein during the '''[[Watergate scandal]]'''.

== See Also ==
* [[Behind the Green Door]]
* [[The Devil in Miss Jones]]
* [[Porno Chic]]
* [[Gerard Damiano]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:1972 films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gerard Damiano]]
[[Category:Censorship in the United States]]