Editing The Devil in Miss Jones

{{Infobox movie
| name           = The Devil in Miss Jones
| image          = 
| caption        = Original 1973 theatrical poster
| director       = [[Gerard Damiano]]
| producer       = Gerard Damiano
| writer         = Gerard Damiano
| starring       = [[Georgina Spelvin]]<br />[[Harry Reems]]
| music          = Alden Shuman
| cinematography = João Fernandes
| editing        = Gerard Damiano
| released       = {{Start date|1973|03|28}}
| runtime        = 68 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $25,000
| gross          = $15 million (U.S. theatrical)
}}

== Overview ==
'''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 ==
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 ==
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 ==
* '''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 ==
* '''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.

== See Also ==
* [[Deep Throat (film)]]
* [[Behind the Green Door]]
* [[Georgina Spelvin]]
* [[Gerard Damiano]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:1973 films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gerard Damiano]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Existentialist films]]