I have no idea who his partner is here. And despite what many websites report, I am pretty sure Joe Markham/Joe Markum stopped doing porn in the mid to late 1970’s, not the 1980’s. Anyone know why, or what happened to him? I have to say my favorite film of his is Four More than Money – the only “talkie” of his I know of. Perhaps I should re-post that clip?
10 replies on “Joe Markum in a field”
I’d love to know what happened to him! One of the original west coast gay porn stars. I imagine he became persona non grata in the business after word got around that he was an SFPD informant, but would love to know if he is still around today!
Hey Casey:
I am writing this to you a bit after the initial post but this guy floors me~!
I always thought he was straight until I found a magazine with him in it getting a BJ from a guy, anyway he did a straight flick called “Cheating Wives”. A friend showed it to me when I was in school. I still have the VHS take if you want a copy. Chip
I’m pretty sure this still is from “Wild in the Woods”. Thanks to your blog and other websites, I’ve really built up a deep appreciation for him in hindsight. He was a little before my time. You’re correct in saying that he quit making porn in the mid 70’s. It’s rather remarkable how many unheralded stars, there actually were during his period. When you mention the word vintage, a lot of viewers can only name Casey Donovan, Jack Wrangler, or Al Parker. So many others deserve recognition. A lot of the guys in silent loops, were pretty generic looking. But he was among the distinct number, who managed to stick out, no pun intended. As you’ve said, he was ruggedly handsome, virile, and playful. Not to mention, uninhibited. I have to admit though, it creeps me out that he made a loop with the Christy twins. Yuck! I’m not into incest porn. It’s great how he and others, have found a new visibility on so many porn tumblr sites.
Joe Markum was certainly memorable in the male films he made.
I wonder if he decided to move on to straight adult films in the late 1970’s. If anyone can verify (or deny) the following, please do so:
Joe (or someone who is sure a deadringer for him) teams ups with John Holmes, Marlene Munroe and Ronie Ross in the second scene of the 35mm adult movie theater feature “I Am Always Ready” – directed by Carlos Tobalina (as Troy Benny) released in 1979. This feature is available on the DVD titled “Carlos Tobalina Vol. 2 – I Am Always Ready and Ultimate Pleasure” from the Alpha Blue Archives video line. Joe is not listed on the film’s credits.
On the IAFD.COM database, the actor by the name of Angelo Rivera has six DVD listings for films from the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. “Deep Passage” (1978) features Angelo Rivera with Kyoto Sun. “Suzy Nero’s Fantasies” (1980) features Angelo with Susan Nero. Are Joe and Angelo Rivera the same person?
The one with him I believe is called “ANGELO RIVERA”; he is bi & filmed in gay & straight movies!
“Joe Markum” was the stage name of Angelo Maggio (1947 -2008) who was co-owner of the Pilsner bar in SF (still running) and was a big supporter of (and participant in) the gay sports league community in SF. The San Francisco Gay Softball League site has a biography of him.
“Joe Markum in a (gay softball) field?!” : D
(I hope to God, this link works!) : |
Wow, this is VERY intriguing! : 0
Hey, BJ honey! Do you suppose there’s some legitimacy, to the claim by “nc”?
I mean, Joe HAS; used the name, “Angelo” and “Maggio”, among his various aliases. I don’t believe he made any porn films, after 1976. If he was indeed born in 1947, that would have made him 29, when he “retired“. These correlations; do seem to match – kosher? : )
Some Italian noses DO seem to get bigger, as they age. It happened to Sophia Loren. We know that Joe did have a thick head of hair, and unruly eyebrows. In this picture, the chin does look like his. I’m not so sure about the eyes, though. : /
It’s not far-fetched to imagine, he enjoyed athletics. He had a lean, graceful, energetic body!
Still, I have my doubts. I’m not fully convinced. What say you? : )
http://www.sfgsl.org/pages/maggio
I still thank you, “nc”! : )
Ah, BJ! So many great and MYSTERIOUS posts! So little time! : (
; )
That’s an interesting link about Joe, or potentially Joe anyway. I can generally see the resemblance in pics taken years apart if someone has connected them already, but oftentimes I start to doubt myself when trying to connect the dots myself. Can’t quite tell but the clues would indicate it could definitely be a match.
The main reason I commented to you here, dear sweet non-blogger Obsessed ;) is because I noticed the biggest coincidence with your comments on this post. Your first comment above was made on 3-25-2013, and now this follow up is exactly ten years (and one day) later, on 3-26-2023. That’s amazing, you and I are certainly among the old guard of commenters here. And now I’m picturing that you have a bjland calendar hanging on your wall that you circle and leave notes on, or some online reminder set up somewhere, and you were just a day late (not sure if you were a dollar short too). Couldn’t resist noting that :D
OH MY GOD, ZEPHYR – My breath of fresh air!
You’re absolutely right – exactly ten years, almost to the day! I swear this wasn’t planned! I’m too scatterbrained, to make something like this happen. I get disoriented, rather easily. That’s why I always have to focus, like a laser beam. I don’t have eagle-eye precision for minutia, like you do!
And to think, you thought I had a website, oh please! LOL! : )
“…dear sweet non-blogger Obsessed…” – I love it!
Wow, this is even more eerie, than the time we discussed Tony Romano! Remember? And it’s not rare, isolated moments! I insist BJ and I; are connected by psychic energy! : 0
Did you hear that, BJ! zephyr is my witness! : )
I’m planning to post about Joe Markham, in the future – stay tuned! I came back to this meme, for some research. How could I have originally missed, the claim by “nc”? I may be a scatterbrain, but I’m not a space cadet!
What great replies! If only we could research them by name! I so appreciate, that we can comment retroactively! I’m not the only one who does it now! So now, I don’t feel guilty!
By the way BJ; another thing I missed! I should have thanked you, for the lovely picture of Joe above! It’s so poetic and lyrical – love the expression on his face! Plus the sight of his big, brown dick, adds just the right amount of spice! LOL! : P
To quote you, he really is a doll! It really does seem, like happiness is just a thing called Joe!
(Did you catch that music reference, zephyr? I know Parisian did!)
As for you zephyr, I’ve previously described you as a williwaw. Now I should really upgrade you to a hurricane! Once again, you blow me away! : 0
Stay cool and breezy – but control the force of your power! Don’t want any damage done! : )
Here’s to you, BJ, and everyone else who provides, interesting feedback! Thanks! : D
; )
Until you brought up Tony Romano I had forgotten saying something similar to you about the dates of your comments obsessed. But then I went and re-read that post again. Yeah noticing obscure or weird background things is something I’ve always done in porn, be it print or film. And obviously BJ does too, how many posts has he made drawing our attention to something like the drapes, or a poster on the wall, or a pair of socks, etc.? Too many to count, especially if you include the music which is my primary sidecar I’d say.
Ten years though, that’s an accomplishment. And I believe you’ve been posting for longer (consistently) than just about anybody, myself included. I can remember his version 1.0 blog before he had comments on at all, and you had to email him to get his attention. I agree that’s it’s terrific that he leaves the comments open so we can get his attention about posts from long ago, that’s a great feature.
Yes I got your Joe reference too, starting thinking of Cher’s cover in 2020 with the obvious political implication.
So I’ve been upgraded to a hurricane force warning, well then batten down the hatches before I start to blow! ;) Always nice seeing your name and insightful comments here obsessed, you set the bar high for the rest of us.