The San Francisco Ball: 70s porn-zine

[Josh K.]

hello all!

I'm still further into the process of conducting research on San Francisco's porn industry, and have had some experiences that definitely warrant a more detailed report for y'all here...in the near future, when im not swamped. these include finally seeing Alex DeRenzy's Powder Burns and Terry Sullivan's (whom, i have been assured on great authority, does exist!) early Streets of S.F.-spoof, The Confiscated. This is all courtesy of the wonderful people at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality/Exodus Trust Archives in the city, a criminally under-recognized resource for the history of erotic films. More on that soon!

At the moment, I was wondering if anyone out there knew where I might be able to take a look at issues of the S.F. Ball, a local porn-zine published in the 70s. I've seen snippets here and there, but does a library perhaps exist that holds this zine?

Also, i'm in the bay area for another 2 weeks, so any local afficionado who's willing to share their knowledge/experiences, drop me a line!

best,
Josh K.

[John Lyons]

Great! You've gotten a hold of Dr. Ted.

He's one of the nicest and most knowledgeable people I know, and his collection is incredible.

[John Lyons]

If you're feeling really ambitious, Terry Sullivan is still alive and well and living in S.F (last I heard, which was 3 years back). Try tracking him down!

Also, ask Ted about the McKnight Brothers. That'll make him happy. And The Circle of Delight.

[John Lyons]

And finally, to address your post topic, I don't know of any archive/library that has issues of S.F. Ball, but check ebay. I've seen them pop up pretty often...Like these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/San-Francisco-Ba...item5ad84fca30

http://cgi.ebay.com/San-Francisco-Ba...item35aaad6355

http://cgi.ebay.com/San-Francisco-Ba...item20b21929f9

(and about 8 more that are currently for sale)

[Josh K.]

Thanks, John! Dr. Ted and his son, Rand, have been wonderfully helpful during my research. I'm in the process of getting the scoop on the McKnights, and everyone else Ted knows Luckily, the day after I posted this message, I found a whole stash of Ball issues at the Institute...score!

[Jim Tomkins]

Any relation to the film of the same name?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0254748/

[John Lyons]

Not as far as I know...

[Kevin J. S.]

Originally Posted by Josh K.

I'm still further into the process of conducting research on San Francisco's porn industry, and have had some experiences that definitely warrant a more detailed report for y'all here...in the near future, when im not swamped. these include finally seeing Alex DeRenzy's Powder Burns and Terry Sullivan's (whom, i have been assured on great authority, does exist!) early Streets of S.F.-spoof, The Confiscated. This is all courtesy of the wonderful people at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality/Exodus Trust Archives in the city, a criminally under-recognized resource for the history of erotic films. More on that soon!

Whoa!! You actually screened "The Confiscated"!!!! I'm obsessed with Terry Sullivan and Athena films and I would die to see this film. I originally thought that Sullivan's first film was "The Nurses" (1971) but I found out (Big thanks to John Lyons) about "The Confiscated", which I know went through a court battle. I know you said you are busy but I would love to know the film's plot! So it's a "Street's of San Francisco" spoof? Is it a roughie? any S&M? is it a silly comdey? Does it have all three elements? How did you screen the film, what it projected from a print, was it transfered to VHS or DVD? Can anyone get into the archives? sorry about all of the questions but I'm just really excited




Thanks for the post Josh K. I hope your research is going well and I can't wait to hear from you!!


All the best,
Kevin

[Robin Bougie]

The rest of us are interested too, Josh! Don't forget to update us!

[John Lyons]

Kevin, anyone can get into the archives.

[Kevin J. S.]

Originally Posted by John Lyons

Kevin, anyone can get into the archives.

I definitely have to look into this place!!