Customer Reviews

Boy in the Sand: Casey Donovan, All-American Sex Star

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Confession: I started reading this book wanting to like it. Really. After all the inaccuracies that have been written and said about gay men and their (supposedly? occasionally?) promiscuous sexuality (which depends, I suppose, on who's doing the talking; to use a literary analogy, you say "bookworm", I say "well-read"), I was looking forward to an in-depth look at the development, creation and iconization of a gay porn star. What would lead an otherwise "normal" young man, in the era of the overwhelming closet, to enter, and ultimately maintain a career, in this industry? Long before it was considered somewhat fashionable to have a little bit of scandal in your past, long before the days of straight bodybuilders making a few quick bucks, most hardcore gay film performers were doing it out of desperation for the money, to avoid homelessness, or under some form of duress (e.g. runaway teens, drug users, etc.). Then along comes this boy next door, who seems to want nothing but to be a performer, and there he is, making adult films? What created this man? What created our urge to watch him, honor him, and make him an icon of liberated gay sexuality? How did all these factors come together, and ultimately help create the mega-billion dollar industry that is gay porn today?

Unfortunately, we're left hanging, unsatisfied, on most of these fronts. While the author does occasionally delve into the psyche of his subject, his family, and the public that seemed (and still seems) to adore him, these are brief glimpses. In most cases, the curtain is pulled back rather quickly, as if the author is somehow more shy about revealing the interior of this person than he is about revealing the external body he dwelt in.

Not that those looking for a quick bit of titillation will get much here, either. Better to purchase an anthology of male erotica, if what you're looking for is a bit of arousal. Here again, the author experiences a surpising chastity about his subject.

Where the author does exult, however, is in his descriptions of Cal/Casey's natural beauty, and its effect on those around him (not to mention the author himself). There is a certain degree of goddess-worship in his tone and constant, repitious descriptions of our hero's boy-next-door looks, unwavering smile, honest eyes, tight body (and so on, over and over again).

True, you can hardly blame the guy: Cal/Casey WAS good looking, seems to be awfully charming, and might not be a bad person to spend an evening with. But, like the end of an ultimately boring date, where you don't get much beyond the surface of your partner, this book, too, leaves the reader wanting more substance.

BOY IN THE SAND is a much-needed look back at gay porn's first celebrity, the much-loved and still greatly missed, Casey Donovan. It's also a good overview of the growth of the gay XXX industry, and a quick, absorbing read, overall, with lots of juicy behind-the-scenes details.

Edmonson nicely details the duality of Casey's personality; he was equal parts sex pig and clean-cut boy next door. The facts of his life are all here, but I would have liked a closer, more detailed examination of his inner life. Still, relatively few authors have attempted to examine the gay adult video industry, and those who have cannot seem to resist moralizing, or snickering. Edmonson does neither, and his discretion and respect for the life and work of Casey Donovan is much appreciated.

Being a big porn fan (especially 80's movies), I found this book very interreting to read. Lots a details. The short interviews of people who knew Cal/Casey are put in in an original way. With all the modeling he did, I was a little deceived there were only a few pictures of him. But I bought the book for his story, and that part was good. I can only imagine that his life was not ordinary and was one of a kind. Other porn stars must have been through hell in comparaison. You'll enjoy the reading !

I thoroughly enjoyed Boy in the Sand:Casey Donovan, All American Sex Star. In today's film industry, we see as it once was in the 1970's, a fine line between Hollywood and the Pornographic Industry with celebrities having done magazine work(such as Playboy) or pornographic work(Tanya Harding,Pamela Anderson Lee, Vince Neil, etc). Casey or Cal as different people have known him, bridged this industry even if for a few moments and will always be an Icon of the gay industry.

I found the glimpses into his life thoughtful and provoking and I believed the book achieved the genesis of Cal/Casey by showing that he was an enigma but one who felt a deep spirituality when it came to sex. I believe that he would have been pleased as to how it was written and if he was alive today would have promoted it ruthlessly and found his Star would be shining again not to mention getting many "dates" in the process!

For those of us old enough to remember Casey Donovan when he starred in Boys In The Sand, this brand new biography by Roger Edmonson is pure pleasure. It is well documented, well researched and an easy read. I was fascinated how this "boy next door" image of Donovan was touted by Hollywood as the next possible Robert Redford, yet it never happened. I can recall seeing Casey in After Dark magazine at the age of 18 and being stunned by his beauty. This bio is graphic and realistic. It touches the darker side of Donavon and his fascination with sex, hustling, S&M, and pornography. Casey Donavon is an American icon for most gay men over 40, yet you are touched by the poignancy and sadness of his life. Read it. You will love it.

As a gay man growing up during the seventies, I encountered the delicious Mr. Donovan in a sleazy theater, flickering on the screen. He was indeed a beautiful man and he made me feel much better about my own sexuality.

Roger Edmonson's book captured the era and gave a compelling and sympathetic portrait of Donovan/Culver. Donovan certainly was at the center of the hedonistic activities of the seventies. The reminiscences of his friends and customers rang true for me and helped to bring Donovan to life. I also enjoyed the historical perspective Edmonson provided. Great photo sections added a lot as well.

I met Cal before he became a porn star, and I remained an acquaintance until his death. Yes, I shared some sexcapafes with him in the early years; but mainly he was an occasional friend who came to dinner every so often. He was an able,intelligent,educated man who never achieved his goal of being a legitimate theatre star. For example, I had no hesitation about using him as an invited guest speaker at some of my university courses. I was also always a little saddened about how he let people use him. I know he tried to create an aura for the public but I would have expected a perceptive author to uncover more of the real man. This simply is not the Cal I knew.

What could have been a fascinating tale about a boy who just couldn't say no is told in a trite high-school note manner whispered over the shoulder in Health Class. The author lacks writing ability but makes up for it in gossip, kiss-n-tell and anecdotes worthy of the Starr Report. It's a shame Cal Culver didn't sleep with Arthur Miller. We'd have gotten a tale worth reading two-handed.

Really enjoyed this frank look at Casey Donovan. I was in LA and San Fran during this time period and remember the events discussed, but lacked details about Casey earlier in his life and toward the end of his life. Excellent reading for anyone wanting to understand the 70s gay porn life.

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