Dirty Poole: A Sensual Memoir

by Wakefield Poole

Filmmaker Wakefield Poole wrote the rules for living on the edge with no safety net and no apologies. How a respected Broadway dancer, choreographer, and director became the infamous creator of beautiful, wildly successful gay porn is just part of a gripping story that takes us on a whirlwind tour of the early days of the sexual revolution, when "anything goes" was a way of life. While rubbing shoulders with the theatrical elite of the day, including Noel Coward, Marlene Deitrich, Richard Rodgers, Liza Minelli and Stephen Sondheim, Poole created Boys in the Sand, the film that would revolutionize pornography and gay film, start the "porno chic" trend of the 1970s, and serve as the ruler by which all adult entertainment is measured. This new edition of Poole's memoir is an honest and entertaining look at life in the worlds of theater and gay porn, the perils and joys of success, the horrors of drug addiction, and the resilient spirit of a man who continually re-invented himself and survived it all.

Genres: Nonfiction

290 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what to make of this book. The man lead an interesting life but there are parts of his background and his actions, along with some stuff in his films, that legit made me feel sick.

I guess I'm kind of glad I read it nonetheless, just to satisfy my curiosity if nothing else though.

[Wolverinefactor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely engaging. Holds nothing back.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild read ! I read this as research on famous but little known folks from Jacksonville. WOW. What a ride. This man takes us through the 60-70's on a wild drug filled romp from the best of Broadway to the start of the AIDS epidemic. As a dancer then choreographer he worked with the best and brightest and a whim he makes a gay porno for his friends and it changes his world forever. The gift of a 16mm camera leads him on a new venture making films and then into the world of gay porn not realizing it would forever label him and change his life. The direct unapologetic style makes this at times a tough emotional read but worth the effort in the end. This book is hard to find but interlibrary loan to the rescue!

[Joey King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a Guilty Pleasure......Was Actually a Very Fascinating look into the life of one the GLBTQ's trailblazers. Just about everything in the book, I did not know..... so it was an education as well. Not as Explicit as I thought it would be but definitely for Adults

[Bidalia]

I worked with Wakefield Poole he is a great man. So fun and Quirky.
xo

[Ray]

(New edition, published 2011)