Our series of columns on sexual predators in Hollywood who were recently unmasked and defanged has prompted some viewers to wonder about the status of their counterparts on the local scene.
Why have their nefarious activities not raised a similar hue and cry for instant exposure, defanging and reforms?
Fact is, there have been just as many local victims over the years and decades but only a few have stepped out of the shadows and courageously pointed fingers—and named names.
This relative lack of accusers speaks volumes about the clammy, curdling climate of exploitation, power-tripping and accommodation that rules the rancid underbelly of show biz in these parts.
The name of the local game is: exploitation with consent—and benefits.
The gossip grapevine is weighed down with sordid stories of teen starlets successfully reduced or “bought with stardom” by savvy senior predators who know what they want, and are powerful enough to give it to them—with alacrity!
The “exploitation with benefits” game became standard practice in the ’60s and ’70s, when bomba (sex) flicks ruled the local movie screen, topbilling total unknowns whose only claim to fame was their lack of shame—and inhibitions.
Sadly, some of those overnight sensations had to take drugs to force themselves to perform the “extreme” exhibitionistic antics required of them.
Saddest of all was the fate of some starlets who, after “putting out,” still didn’t get to savor and enjoy the stardom promised them.
And their powerful exploiters got off scot-free.
Insiders in the ’70s also whispered about popular stars who were themselves doing the exploiting and promising.
They gossiped about the existence of hotel rooms where stars would regularly bring starlets or even gaga fans for some bedroom encounters—not always with mutual consent.
The nefarious practice even figured in some criminal cases, most shockingly in the rape and death of a sexy starlet.
A unique aspect of the local “exploitation” scene in show biz is its strong gay component.
Since many producers and directors swish, their victims are male starlets, who obligingly put out to get ahead.
Indeed, a veteran insider “educatedly” guesses that, of 10 male screen luminaries today, half have gone the “obliging” route to stardom.
Bolstering that cynical view is our recollection of interviewing a famous film power broker who ticked off the names of many action stars, and smilingly revealed that all of them had “visited” his “casting couch” before they made it big.
The victims being male, they appear to think that they’ve lost less than their female counterparts in the “explo” exchange, so they generally don’t make a big deal about it—which is why their exploiters continue to prey on fresh batches of clueless, obliging hopefuls—to this day.