The 1970s and 80s were a glorious time for pornography. Movies were grandiose productions, adult theaters were thriving and the term "porn star" was coined to commemorate those brave souls who were willing to sacrifice their bodies for our pleasure.
Nowadays, things are looking a little more grim for those looking for fame in the porno world. The internet has made amateur pornography free and plentiful, while a scantily clad new generation of "porn stars" are now doing their bidding on vine and instagram. Luckily, Studs theater in West Hollywood is here to remind us of our well endowed forefathers.
Welcome to the porno walk of fame, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Located at Studs Theater, not too far from the actual walk of fame in Hollywood, this series of concrete panels offer a glimpse into the golden era of pornography. Linda Lovelace, Marilyn Chambers, Harry Reems and, of course, 'Johnny Wadd' himself, John Holmes.
In all, you've got eight great winners of the smutty silver screen, giants who owned the era of cocaine, big afros and bigger bush.
Now, don't get too excited about all of this. Despite the subject matter, this is just your standard hand print and signatures operation. No other "appendages" were memorialized in this concrete.
Good times indeed.
HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?
The structure that now houses Studs Adult theater was once one of dozens of Pussy Theaters located across California.
The chain, named after the Woody Allen film What's new pussycat?, opened in 1966 and was controversial from the get go. Parents were outraged and theaters constantly received complaints that neighborhood kids had access to the pornographic images that riddled ads around the box office. Over time, 100+ civil lawsuits would be filed against the parent corp, and over 2000 arrests were made at this theater location alone.
In the 80s, as the videotape revolution started to kill attendance to porno theaters, the chains started to close. By 1990, only 20 remained, and by 2001 this location in West Hollywood was the only pussycat theater in town.
Destined to follow its forefathers go to porno heaven, this theater almost closed. But leave it to cinema maverick Roger Corman to swoop in and save the place by brokering a deal with an unnamed buyer. The pussycat would ultimately remain, but the name, and programming, changed to Studs.
Despite all of the turmoil with lawsuits and name changes, this walk of fame has remained in place.
