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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJoel J. Tyler, Judge Who Pronounced ‘Deep Throat’ Obscene, Dies at 90
Joel J. Tyler, who as a Manhattan judge ruled, in a particularly explicit and colorful opinion, that the pornographic film Deep Throat was obscene and that the New York City theaters showing it were breaking the law, inadvertently helping it become perhaps the most popular X-rated movie of all time, died in Yonkers on Nov. 9. He was 90.
The cause was a heart attack, his daughter Alexandra said. She said the family did not report his death until now because her father did not want the acknowledgment. But in the weeks after his death, she said, she and her sister, Lisa, came to feel overwhelmingly that he deserved it.
Judge Tyler, a former city commissioner of licenses, had been on the Criminal Court bench for four years when Deep Throat opened at the New Mature World Theater on West 49th Street on June 12, 1972. The film, about a woman whose quest for sexual satisfaction is frustrated until she discovers that her clitoris is in her throat, almost immediately became a touchstone in the culture wars of the day.
On one side was outrage over the films flagrant and unashamed depiction of sex acts; on the other was cheering for its daring to confront social taboos and to present a womans sexual needs as being equally robust as a mans.
full: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/nyregion/joel-j-tyler-judge-who-ruled-deep-throat-obscene-dies-at-90.html?pagewanted=all
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Everybody knows the title and a little something about the film, but few people address or deal with the plot.
It is a triumphant story of a person with a physical disability to overcome the obstacle it imposes.
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)That's tough to swallow.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)A sexually frustrated woman (Linda Lovelace, credited as playing herself) asks her friend Helen (played by Dolly Sharp) for advice on how to achieve an orgasm. After a sex party provides no help, Helen recommends that Linda visit a doctor (Harry Reems). The doctor discovers that Linda's clitoris is located in her throat, and after helping her develop her oral sex skills the infatuated Linda asks him to marry her. He informs her that she can settle for a job as his therapist, performing her particular oral technique thereafter known as "deep throat" on various men, until she finds the one to marry. Meanwhile, the doctor documents her exploits while repeatedly having sex with his nurse (Carol Connors). The movie ends with the line "The End. And Deep Throat to you all."
The 61 min movie is intended to be humorous, with highly tongue-in-cheek dialogue and songs; fireworks going off and bells ringing during Lovelace's orgasms.
mysuzuki2
(3,521 posts)I saw it as a comedy. I laughed myself silly throuhout the film. After I got home, I did something else.
cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)Crankie Avalon
(5,261 posts)...but I think I might be with him on that one.
DCKit
(18,541 posts)HeiressofBickworth
(2,682 posts)in my more feminist youth, I knew of the movie and the judge's decision and was determined to see it. I had arranged with a woman friend that we would meet for a drink before the movie and then attend. I was in the arranged place at the appointed time, but she didn't show up. I was annoyed to say the least. Well, there I was, a single mother having hired a babysitter for the evening and I wasn't going to go home without seeing the movie! I went to the movie by my self. It was in a very seedy theater downtown Seattle. I wasn't harassed or teased nor did anyone approach me. When the movie was over, I went to my car and drove home. Strike one for liberty!!!!!