WADD: The Life and Times of John C. Holmes

Running time: N/A

Before Dirk Diggler, John Holmes was "the star." It is no secret that P.T. Anderson (Boogie Nights) based Diggler's wide-eyed rise to porn superstardom and subsequent descent into drug addiction and crime on the life of Holmes. What is surprising is that Holmes' life is a far more wild and fascinating ride than any fiction could ever depict. As Johnny Wadd, P.I., Holmes became the first real star of a porn series. He "was to the adult film industry what Elvis Presley was to rock and roll -- The King." His superstar status was attributable to one very large element of his physique -- all 13.5 inches of it. Always an enigmatic figure, Holmes was a na've boy who escaped a childhood of abuse by moving to L.A., married a nurse, and fell into the business quite by accident. Director Cass Paley's WADD provides a fascinating history of the adult film industry. Conversations with some of the biggest names in the business are skillfully mixed with footage of Holmes in the role that made him famous. Awards: Winner, Best Documentary - SXSW Film Festival. --Meredith H. Sherter