The sex industry has never been backwards in coming forward and has often been an innovator and driving force where technology is concerned (see VHS Vs. Beta battle). However, when it comes to the flexi-disc, it is more a question of ‘monkey see, monkey do’. Realising how cheap it was to cut a flexi, the mucky-mag machine could put out a bit more bang for minimal bucks.
This page features some of these X-rated releases, most of which sound tame and limp – Carry-On stylee. Some were meant as an added accompaniment to the pictures. Quite how you were supposed to handle the magazine, tone-arm and anything else that needed handling? A very dexterous one-handed shuffle? Most of these were by publishing house GSP Ltd.
A trio from Playbirds, the most interesting of which is The Hot One which features the ill-fated Mary Millington. This gem is supposed to have ‘Mary’s Final & Frankest Words’. Somewhat sensationalist really as she is commentating on a silk and satin fashion show.
Millington was a major name in the Sullivan porn stable, starring in several films including a film called The Playbirds, a commercial success that was heavily featured in Sullivans other speciality mags. She later went on to have a cameo role in The Sex Pistols ‘Great Rock & Roll Swindle’. Neither she or Sid Vicious lived to see the film; Millington committing suicide aged 33 in 1979 and Vicious dying of an overdose the same year. Included are two from the short-lived magazine Lovebirds.
Below, another duo from the David Sullivan stable, Whitehouse. Amazing to think that so much of this stuff can end up in a slice of West Ham!
RAPIER 1979 -81
RUSTLER 1979- 82
