First Porn Film: How Did the Industry Arise

Today people are not ashamed to watch porn films. This is a great way to relax during masturbation or set the right mood before sexual intercourse. The collections of movies are impressive; hence everybody will find something to his/her taste. But it was not so all the time. The porno industry had different times since the release of the first porn film “Le Coucher de la Mariéewas.”

It was filmed in France in November 1986. Archival records testify to this, and the film was shown in Paris. By the way, a couple of months before the showing of the porn film, the Lumiere brothers presented their recording for the first time. It is recognized as the very first film in the history of humankind. 1996, the film fell into disrepair. But a two-minute-long passage has survived. It showed the actress undressing while the man sits behind the screen and waits for the chosen one. “Le Coucher de la Mariée” was filmed in theatrical scenery with the participation of cabaret actress Louise Willie. The actor who acted as the man, is unknown.

Simultaneously with the first erotica, the short film Kiss was shot in 1896. It demonstrated the kiss of actors John Rice and May Irwin that lasted 18 seconds. It was first shown in Ottawa on July 21, 1896, as part of Jones’ Widow’s musical comedy. Then critics called the short film “a demonstration of bestial lust.” A little over a hundred years later, the Library of Congress in the United States recognized it as “culturally significant”. Later, the film entered the National Film Register.

Porn Industry in XX Century

The film directors started to shoot the intercourse itself already after 1900.  This is how the first hardcore porn film appeared in 1910. “In the evening” (Original name “Am Abend”) demonstrated close-up of genitals as well as medium sex shots.  Other well-known films of that period, “Free ride” and “El Sartorio”, showed a new approach to shooting porn movies. These films are now included in the collection of a popular establishment, The Kinsey Institute.

It should be stated that filmmakers needed a lot of time for shooting and postproduction. Moreover, their work was punished by law. The audience could see the result in private men’s clubs and brothels.  The government even used this scheme to cheer up soldiers in the 1940s, but mainly printed materials as films were too expensive.

Industry Explosion

The situation with the high cost of porn films changed after World War II. Due to decreasing prices for cameras, mass porn production got a chance. As a result, the professional director got interested in this niche and started to film new movies. For instance, George Harrison Marks began to make erotic and pornographic movies.  In the 1960s, the owners of American strip clubs understood that screening films is more profitable than hiring dancers. Therefore, they gave first ads to the newspapers to grab the attention of first customers.

Thanks to Gerald Damiano, it is possible to call 1972 the beginning of the Golden Age for the entire porn industry. First, the American director shot “Deep Throat” with Harry Reems and Linda Lovelace. Then, after the 1970s sexual revolution, presentation of the digital camera, and WWW development, sexual content became more accessible. Nowadays, the restrictions are minimal, while the choice of porn films is just amazing.

Other Pioneers of Porn Industry

Besides the movies mentioned above, the porn film industry is full of other pioneers. They managed to impress the audience with a new approach in the plot: 

1.   “A Song of Love”  is the first film to feature a homosexual experience. Director Jean Genet, a “damned poet” who spoke openly about his homosexuality, shot this film without the support of the authorities. Later he subsequently had to renounce his picture. The film shows the life of two prisoners who masturbate and fantasize about each other.

2.   Flaming Creatures by American director Jack Smith, who is a classic of experimental cinema. He first showed an orgy in the film. Several men and women indulge in collective caresses and bring each other to ecstasy. The film’s premiere was interrupted by the New York police. But the director’s fame spread throughout the country very fast.

3.   Extase is a film with the world’s first scene in bed. Even though sex is not shown, you can see all sorts of paraphernalia. They are the grimace of the main character in convulsions of pleasure, a half-smile hinting at the approach of orgasm, and the next cigarette “after sex” as a sign of a worthy completion of sexual intercourse.

Final Thoughts

The industry of porn films, like any other industry, had different periods of development. Only over time, we got what we have now. These days, you can find a movie with any plot and watch it even without going out. Anyway, the first porn films will always be a significant part of the industry.