Lost Boys: Vintage Images of Giorgio Canali

Lost Boys: Vintage Images of Giorgio Canali 

Aliases: Georgio Canali, Giorgio Canalli, Rocco Rizzoli
Born: in Italy
Years Active: 1981-1985
Hair: Brown
Height: 5 feet, 9 inches
Weight: 158 lbs. 
Studios: Falcon, Colt, Catalina, HIS, Buckshot, Bijou, Laguna Pacific and Nova
Films: 15
Compilations: 17

What is it about Italian men? I absolutely adore them. That dark hair and fur. Their expressive faces. Their sensuousness. 

Sure, it all depends on the individual, but when that individual is Giorgio Canali - well, let's just say the shoe fits for this Cinder-fella. 

Now, what we have on our hands here is another mystery. Makes me wish Scooby and the Gang were into tracking down gay porn stars. Or how about the Hardy Boys? Ooo... imagine THAT Hardy boys mystery! I'd be first in line at the bookstore for that one. 

But... just like last week's post on the impressively endowed Michael Christopher, I'm afraid this piece on Mr. Canali is going to be short on facts and imbued with a great deal of speculation. Pity, because he's such a fetching example of what makes gay porn made during the golden age so fascinating. 

There is no Wikipedia page. There are not the usual multiple bios from which to harvest tasty data. No, we have to rely on the tidbits and rumors that float about in the chatrooms and forums of the internet. So, take all of this for what it is... pure speculation.

According to what I was able to find...

Canali was born in Italy. His birthdate is unknown. He supposedly came to the United States after his heart was broken by a boyfriend in Italy.

He began his porn career in 1980, making his debut in Catalina's 1981 film, the highly popular Brothers Should Do It; a film that aided a number of porn careers, including: JW King, Jon King, and Kip Noll. 

Due to the film's success, Canali found himself in high demand. However, not all was well. His second film would almost bankrupt a studio. His Italian heritage, the very thing that made him truly unique in the industry, would also prove to be the thing that almost sabotaged his career before it began. 

From Wikipedia's entry on Nova Studios:

"In 1981, Nova Studios bowed to public demand and financial pressures (to make a full-length sound picture) and produced It's the Life. The film was a disaster. Star Giorgio Canali's English was so poor that he mangled his lines. Struggling to recite dialogue in an unfamiliar language, Canali could not maintain an erection. Masters (the director) eventually gave up and shot the rest of the scene without sound. Nova Studios would not attempt to produce a sound film again until 1983." 

Fortunately, this was a minor setback. In 1982, Canali would appear in six films, including the gay porn classics Best Little Warehouse in L.A. and These Bases Are Loaded. 

Due to his lean, muscular body, piercing, come-hither eyes, rugged jawline, massive uncut dick and dominating, uninhibited behavior, he became a focal point in any film he appeared in, with scenes overflowing in natural, guttural passion. While his chameleon way with facial hair granted him the ability to play anything from willing bottom to hardcore Castro Clone. And then there was that face... traditionally handsome as the day is long.

However, just like his contemporary, Michael Christopher, Canali, too, would step back from the world of gay porn - appearing in only two or three films per year during his final three years in the industry. No doubt, this was due to the increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS and the fact that the porn industry had not instituted safer sex practices. 

Rumor has it that shortly after 1986, Canali would return to his native Italy and then... simply fade from the public eye. 

Filmography

1981 
Brothers Should Do It 

It's The Life

1982

Best Little Warehouse in L.A. 
Main Attraction
Malibu Days: Big Bear Nights
Members Only
Skin Deep (II) 
These Bases Are Loaded

1983
Class Reunion 
Games

1984
Every Which Way 
One In A Billion
Splash Shots: Memories of Summer

1985
Life Guard 
Other Side of Aspen 2

Why the departure? Perhaps it was the AIDS epidemic, or perhaps it had something to do with an incident that took place on his last shoot - the porn classic, The Other Side of Aspen II. According to an anonymous forum post, porn star Kurt Marshall, who was, at that time, in a relationship with the head of Falcon Studios, threw a hissy fit and refused to do a scene with Canali. So, the director paired Canali up with Tony Bravo instead. Their scene is considered to be the highlight of the film (that, and the orgy scene) and the chemistry between the two was so electric that it would continue off the set. 

In a cable television interview, Canali said the two 'shacked up' immediately, but that the relationship didn't last due to Bravo's unwillingness to give up work as an escort. Sadly, Bravo would later die of AIDS on July 25, 1990. 

However, Bravo was not the only co-star Canali was romantically linked to. His most frequent on-screen partner was Derrick Stanton, who had been part of the industry since 1974.

The two would appear together in three films; Brothers Should Do It, Members Only and These Bases are Loaded. 

Whatever the reason for Canali's departure from the industry, one thing is certain... in his very short career, he managed to earn his place as a legend of the golden age of porn by leaving behind a wealth of images and sex scenes that have withstood the test of time. 

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I first saw Canali in a skin mag. Some of the photos from that magazine are featured below (it was called Jock Itch). Even though I had never bottomed at the time, I wanted him to be my boyfriend. 

He is the perfect 'pony boy'. He was so handsome... and so very out of my league. Still, the heart wants what it... can't have. 

He was the type of guy that, if I worked up my nerve to approach him at a bar, wouldn't give me the time of day. Be that as it may...

I'm pretty sure I had to throw that magazine away because all the pages were stuck together... hee, hee. 

Yes, that is the beauty of paper boyfriends; they can't walk away from you and they are always there when you need them!

Well, at least until the pages start sticking together. 

That's all for now. 

Until next time, and, as always... thanks for reading!

Scenes From an Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel 

Italian Eyes - Steve Miller Band