[PDF] Smutty Little Movies: The Creation and Regulation of Adult Video by Peter Alilunas in Arts-Photography

Review

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating and Worthwhile ReadBy A CustomerA fascinating and comprehensive (as much as possible. anyway) look into a part of history that is shrouded in mystery and shame. Alilunas and his few intrepid peers are on the very cutting edge of a field that is as fascinating as it is controversial.Ill admit that even I was skeptical when I first heard of Alilunas and his studies back when he was teaching at the University of Michigan. Pornography as a field of academic study? Was he for real? Could pornography really be studied? How could anyone view this as necessary or even important?This book. just like his lectures at U of M .answer all of these questions with a resounding yes. The integral connection between pornography. video technology. and the very concept of watching films at home is not only fascinating but immediately relevant to everyday life. The adult entertainment pioneers of the 50s. 60s. 70s. and 80s very literally changed the entire film industry. There is a direct line between Alilunass "smutty little movies" and the video streaming services that we all use on our phones. televisions. and computers every day.This book also provides a very good overview on the changing concepts of "obscenity". "legitimacy". and "decency" throughout the mid-to-late 20th century. Who can watch pornography? When and why can they watch it? What counts as pornography? Does pornography have social or economic value? When is it protected by the first amendment? Alilunas shows just how fluid a lot of these ideas were and indeed still are.To be clear. Smutty Little Movies is an academic work published by and for other academics. It reads much more like a history textbook than a pop science read-it-at-the-beach-type book. There are very literally hundreds upon thousands of footnotes and citations. Alilunas loves citations! That being said. for people interested in the topic or who are used to reading history texts. this is a real page-turner. While maintaining an air of a strict professional. Alilunass personality still manages to shine through in his writing style.Overall. this book is highly recommended for history buffs. film historians. or people interested in learning more about an aspect of society that is simultaneously ubiquitous and hidden from view. While pornography studies may not yet have the recognized legitimacy it deserves. I believe that will one day. and that history will smile Dr. Alilunas and his Smutty little Movies.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Kel StanfordVery nice overview.