BijouBlog

By Will Seagers

Hello folks! Will (At Large) here with some thoughts and feelings from the past.

First of all, a big Happy Valentine's Day wish to all of you Bijou fans and readers! Although posting time for this blog comes a little after the fact, nonetheless I am writing this right smack in the middle of Valentine's Day! I hope you all are or will be having a warm and cozy time with those near and dear to you!

Lying in bed this morning in the haze of just having awakened, I wanted to prowl that foggy state to think of what to convey today. The men that kept coming into my memory were my Gemini loves! Not that I haven't had great relationships with those of other signs, it was just too obvious that these guys and their signs stood out! Astrology has been a love and study of mine since the age of 18. And, NO the first thing I ask someone is not, "What's your sign?!" Lol. As a story teller, I just look back and assemble my mental and emotional notes as accurately as possible. Not only have I met and had significant relationships with men born under this sign, but astonishingly right down to one day... May 22nd!

My first 5/22 love was a big and burly man, Roger, whose physique caught my eye on the dance floor of the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove, Fire Island in 1975. Our "dancing in bed" was only matched by our dancing on the dance floor! That summer on Fire Island, whether in the Pines or the Grove, we became a recognized "thing" every time we came out to party. People actually backed away and gave us a little extra room for our (appreciated) dance antics! It was Roger who planted the seed for my moving to San Francisco. He moved there in 1975 and I followed in 1976. My move there was aided by the assurance of a job provided by the owner of Falcon Studios, Chuck Holmes.

So, here we are in 1976 where I'm working my first season for John White at his Boatel/Blue Whale complex in the Pines. I was secretly infatuated with his chiseled good looks. He had recently retired from being one of New York's top male super models. Little did he know that I enjoyed basking in his limelight! This was all a fantasy for me... nothing ever came of it. Oh, and did I mention that his birthday was May 22nd!

Now, staying in that same year, 1976, I took a leap of faith and moved to San Francisco with a troop of my Fire Island work comrades. It was here where I met Tommy (yep, another 5/22!). This was the sweetest set of coincidences! I met him at the bar and restaurant, Trinity Place. It was owned by Chuck Holmes and was one of the jobs that was used to lure me to San Francisco. Tommy was adorable with beautiful brown eyes you could get lost in. I found out in short order that he was a devout Will Seagers fan. After gifting me with a beautiful gold chain and a lovely dinner, we went back to his place and tore things up! That one night blossomed into 13 years! Soon, I found out that he met Roger through a common love of opera. (This turned out to be another 5/22 trait that they also shared with John Whyte!)

Although not born on May 22nd, two more loves of my life were born in the season of Gemini. And, these two men I shared with all of you readers and viewers! I am talking about Jim Bentley and Richard Locke. There was a similar thread to meeting the two of them. We had the pleasure of jumping the gun and getting together before our "screen work!" Believe me, by the time we were in front of the cameras there was no loss of spontaneity. We interacted with the prior knowledge of what a good a fit we were! LOL!

I think that showed with Richard and me on the set of L.A. Tool & Die. It turned out that I got a bit more involved with Jim. We had a lot of similar interests - particularly birds. We both had Moluccan Cockatoos! I had one and he had a pair.

We were in a pretty torrid affair for a while. Me being his senior by a few years, I can actually remember him wearing me out! One thing that I picked up over the years with my Gemini "buddies" is that even if the lust diminishes, the friendship remains.

So, these were "The Days of Our Lives." Some of my cherished and wonderful memories. And, I am very happy to have conjured them up for for all of you on this day of AMOUR!

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, recent photo

By Josh Eliot

I am writing this on Saturday January 13th, 2024. I specifically blocked out time on this day as it was exactly 25 years ago that my partner (from 1992-1999) Yves-Claude Theriault aka Mark Rutter passed away. When I was pulling photos for my last blog about the Gold Coast Bar and writing about Mark working there, I discovered it was the 25th anniversary. I’ve spoken about our relationship in the past (“7 Years with Colt Model Mark Rutter”), but this time I think it would be special for Mark’s words to do a little story telling. I re-discovered a diary Mark had started to work on but never got to complete. I never thought his words in writing would ever find an audience, but thanks to BijouWorld and this blog excerpts now will. The passages I will share may not read like a story and have a beginning, middle and end like a blog should, but it makes me really happy to give them some life, with an audience.

Mark Rutter was born Yves-Claude Theriault, on October 8, 1951, a French Canadian growing up in Maine. After shooting a photo layout with Al Parker for the Surge Studio magazine Pit Stop, he was introduced to Jim French at Colt Studios and worked exclusively for them in films. Mark passed away at the age of 47, leaving siblings who include his sister Charlene, his brother Rick, nephews Pierre and Jeremy and his Mom. We had his ceremony at The Little Brown Church in Studio City, where celebrities Marlon Brando, Debbie Reynolds and Mickey Rooney were married and the Reagans renewed their vows in 1992. He was cremated and buried over his father’s grave in Maine. Here are some of his thoughts, as written, with only punctuation, spelling and my real name changed, along with a ton of pictures!

*****

I knew I was HIV+ in 1982 without actually going to see a doctor or being diagnosed. Something was going on with my body that let me know I was positive. I can almost pinpoint the day I feel I was infected. It was through intravenous drug use and I knew the dangers at the time but was not very knowledgeable that it could happen to me. I went into denial for 5 years because there was so little help out there and decided to not go on whatever medication was available. People were going through terrible side effects and were still dying left and right. One day in 1987 while walking to work I noticed a small purplish dot on the inside of my elbow. I knew right away what it was, Kaposi Sarcoma, a type of cancer associated with HIV. I freaked out but was not the least bit surprised. I kept it to myself for 3 or 4 weeks and finally told Rick, my brother, who was my roommate at the time. I was still against any medication. I was going to let the process take its course. I finally called my sister and found the nerve to tell her about it. We discussed it at length but I was still determined not to do anything about it. She got very angry with me and said I was being irresponsible.

I decided to go to the Gay & Lesbian Center on Highland Blvd to get tested and be told all my options. Two weeks later I returned for my blood results as instructed. By then I had developed two more lesions on my right arm. A counselor took me in this little room and informed me that my test results were back and my results were negative. My mouth dropped to the floor and I had chills up and down my spine. I said to the counselor, showing her my arm, “Then what is this?” She proceeded to shuffle papers around and her face turned ghostly white. She was very upset and told me that she was looking at someone else’s results. She was devastated and did not know what to say or do next. I told her not to worry, that I had known about my results, and I ended up counseling her.

Mark ended up being referred to a research program for treatment using Tran Retinoic Acid, a derivative of Vitamin A. Eight pills three times a day for one year until the KS went into full remission. In the next excerpt, we jump ahead a number of years. Mark’s brother Rick confessed that he too was HIV+. The two shared an apartment until a falling out over Mark’s partying too much, with his friend Kelly, so Mark moved out. Kelly was a fellow bartender at the Gold Coast and was also dealing coke. Mark was hanging out with Kelly and his partner Don all the time.

*****

I was hanging around my friend Kelly a lot and was doing a lot of cocaine, while my health was getting worse and worse. My T-cells were dropping at an alarming rate. By this time by an act of God I met someone at the Gold Coast and we made plans for dinner. I was a little apprehensive and felt awkward, we were to meet on safe grounds at Rafters (bar) and then go to dinner from there. I asked my friend Valerie and her girlfriend (Michelle) to join us for a drink before dinner. When I walked into Rafters he was there wearing a denim shirt, jeans and a black leather jacket. I was wearing a denim shirt, jeans and a black leather jacket, the only difference was that mine was pressed and starched and his was wrinkled. HaHa. His name was (Josh) by the way. I asked him if he wanted a line and his eyes lit up and he said yes, and off we went to the bathroom. I thought… there goes dinner. We stayed at the bar until closing, by then Valerie and Michelle were drunk and obnoxious. I asked him if he wanted to come over and he answered yes.

The next morning we took showers and he said he would take me to breakfast since we missed dinner altogether. We went off to Silver Spoon, one of the worst places to eat in town, but I was not really bothered by it because something was happening. Shelly Winters was sitting next to us and was yelling and being obnoxious. She needed butter for her fucking toast. After breakfast I drove (Josh) back to his truck which was parked down the street from Rafters. We exchanged phone numbers and promised to call one another.

We started meeting a few times a week for dinner. I was showing (Josh) the fine art of dining and expanding his horizons. He kept my feet on the ground and in control, it was a perfect match. I remember Kelley saying: “If you fuck this up I’ll kill you.” Kelly and Don were very fond of him. I remember we had a date to spend Easter together. I stopped by Thrifty’s and got him an Easter basket to impress him. Well when I got to his place he had a dozen roses and a box of Godiva chocolates. I felt like a fool with my little basket from Thrifty’s.

One thing led to another and we started dating exclusively. We really got along very well together. It was my first serious relationship since I was a gay man and it felt good. He’s fun to be around and is very compassionate and takes very good care of me. We are complete opposites but complement each other. After dating for a year we started talking about getting a place together. That scared me a little since I had been living on my own since I was 16 years old. I was very good at changing the subject and I managed to avoid it for another year.

It literally took months of being together before I was able to wean Mark off his addiction to Kelly and their cocaine lifestyle. I knew he was a party animal from the start but I wasn’t about to buy into it. I was not into the whole drug as a lifestyle thing and made it very clear from the get go. We cut our visits to their place to once a week, if that, but I’m sure they were doing coke while working their shifts at the bar. I did eventually convince him to look at a great condo in West Hollywood that I strong-armed him into moving into with me, finally conquering his fear of living with a partner. Later that year. Kelly’s partner Don passed away and Kelly ended up moving back home to Tennessee. Shortly after moving there, he was riding on the back of a friend's motorcycle when it went off the road and they both were killed. Mark was devastated, naturally, but by this time his health was better and he stopped drinking and drugging. His HIV was under control and we had a good number of years ahead of us.

When Mark started these writings it was not long before he started having issues with CMV, which affected his eyes. He was let go from the Gold Coast at this time, leading to depression as his failing health got the best of him. Unfortunately, his brother Rick passed away a few years later. I’m just happy to be able to get a couple passages of his words in print somewhere even though they are minimal. I’ve had these writings in a file for 25 years and the timing of this blog could not be more appropriate. Reading Mark’s writings, it was almost as if I could hear him reciting the words. Twenty-five years is a long time ago, but in the case of so many of the adult film and video actors who entertained and aroused us over the years, their performances are eternal. Thanks to companies like Bijou, their work is being preserved, allowing them to live on for future generations to enjoy.

Thank you to Josh Eliot for use of his photos.

Bio of Josh Eliot:

At the age of 25 in 1987, Josh Eliot was hired by Catalina Video by John Travis (Brentwood Video) and Scott Masters (Nova Video). Travis trained Eliot on his style of videography and mentored him on the art of directing. Josh directed his first movie, Runaways, in 1987. By 2009 when Josh parted ways with Catalina Video, he'd produced and directed hundreds of features and won numerous awards for Best Screenplay, Videography, Editing, and Directing. He was entered into the GayVN Hall of fame in 2002.

By Josh Eliot

When I saw a recent special offer on the BijouWorld email for the restored and remastered movie Gold Rush Boys, it reminded me instantly of a West Hollywood gay landmark bar called The Gold Coast. The Gold Coast is no longer operating, in fact it closed its doors in 2020 because of COVID-19 and rent negotiation gone south. The property sat vacant for quite some time, but is now beautifully restored and slinging cocktails once more as OR Bar.

First things first, the 1983 Steve Scott directed movie Gold Rush Boys features a great cast led by Michael Braun and featuring: J.W. King, Nick Jarrett, Kurt Williams, Joe Reeves, Paul Monroe, Brian Nichols, Ben Barker, Lee Adams, Jay Cole and Rick Faulkner. Taking place mostly in an all-male house of ill repute, this authentic looking western is even more of a feast for the eyes thanks to the amazing restoration it received at the hands of Jules and Steven at Bijou. The cast is dressed in authentic garb from the period and the movie is full of rock hard pieces, beautifully photographed. I personally feel this movie was one of Steve Scott’s finest. I have to admit, I never heard of it prior to recently seeing it on the BijouWorld site and when I watched it I wondered why it was never one of those “staple titles” on any gay collector’s list. It certainly deserves to be. It has a strikingly handsome cast for that time period and perfect camera work and lighting. The more movies I see from director Steve Scott, the more impressed I am with his body of work. When I referred to him in a previous blog as gay porn’s Martin Scorsese, it couldn’t be any more accurate. In fact, I might go a step further in saying that the next generation of gay porn directors - with the exception of some - couldn’t hold a candle to the quality of Scott’s work.

Steve Scott's Gold Rush Boys (Available on DVD & Streaming through Bijou) and star Michael Braun

The Gold Coast Bar, some might say, was another place of ill-repute. It opened in 1981, making it the oldest gay bar in West Hollywood, keeping its doors open for 39 years. It also featured an authentic wood and brick façade that looked like it was straight out of a western. The place was a goldmine for spotting porn stars and a throw-back, even in its day, to the “drinking man’s bar” like you find in San Francisco. The drinks were strong and the prices low, the bartenders in the 1990’s when I hung out there were friendly and flirty. I met my first long term partner, Mark Rutter, there as he was one of the bartenders. I remember first locking eyes with him when I ordered a drink for my friends and I. Before pouring the drinks that I ordered, he threw two shot glasses down, made a couple of kamikazes, pushed one to me then held his up to toast. We both shot them back. No words, but I knew exactly what he was saying to me. When he gave me the drinks I ordered, he shoved the money back at me and, without missing a beat, turned and walked off to get someone else’s order. Attitude for days - I was so impressed. Later on, I saw him at a party in the condo of the Manager Karl Ethridge, real life uncle of Melissa Etheridge, and within weeks we were locked into a seven year relationship. You can read more about that on my blog “7 Years with Colt Model MARK RUTTER.”

Mark Rutter during his Colt years and bartending at the Gold Coast

Porn Star Anthony Gallo and my spouse of 23 years, Tony (ten years legally married), were partners at the time when they both worked as bouncers for the Gold Coast back in 1995. For the most part, everyone who worked or hung out at the bar were in good spirits. It was famous for being a very social neighborhood place to hang out, listen to music, play darts and do shots. Although one night, a new face showed up acting strangely and making inappropriate statements to the patrons. When Tony tried to escort him out, he got pushed, then the guy picked up a barstool to hit him. The bartender on duty, our good friend Mark, jumped over the bar and, along with the help of Anthony Gallo, they threw the assailant out the door and onto the street. The lunatic grabbed a brick from his pocket and hit Anthony in the forehead, causing a scar you will see in any of his movies shot after 1995. The nut job ended up being arrested by the West Hollywood sheriff’s department.

Newspaper headline about the Gold Coast Bar attack

All in all, there were many more great times than negative ones. Mark Ferguson and Yves-Claude (Mark Rutter), as Gold Coast bartenders, were responsible for starting the Red Dress Party in 1997. Mark Ferguson and Mark Rutter had a secret agreement that whomever passed away first, the other would wear a “red dress” to their memorial. Mark Ferguson passed away while Mark Rutter was out of town, and when he returned, he asked one of the Gold Coast owners, Bob Hastings, to throw a charity event for individuals living with HIV and AIDS. At the event, everyone invited was asked to wear a red dress to celebrate Mark Ferguson’s life. The event was a huge success and the Red Dress Party is still a yearly event, not only in West Hollywood but many cities, with the Gold Coast hosting it for 23 years straight.

Red Dress Party photos

The Gold Coast was located kitty corner to the famous Circus of Books (watch Ryan Murphy’s documentary on the subject) so the porn star vibe dominated the area. Aside from the fact that Kevin Williams had sex with my partner Mark Rutter in the toilet, most of the porn star memories are fun and cheery ones! Steve Regis and Cole Philips pulling raffle tickets one night, Eduardo and Sam Carson (real life and on-screen lovers) frequented the place. Blue Blake from England, Daryl Brock from Vancouver. I want to say that Chi Chi and Ryan Idol came with us there after we shot the scene for Idol Thoughts. The West Hollywood Cheerleaders hosted the Sunday Beer Brunch, which was a huge hit until the state of California stopped it because there was no way to control how much beer any given person was served. Cheerleaders simply walked around constantly refilling everyone’s mugs. My friends Lenny, Jerin and I were there every Sunday, just like church. It was even at the Gold Coast where the GM of Catalina offered me Scott Master’s position of producer, once Scott Masters quit. I remember one night over drinks convincing my friend Rosalyn to go to dinner with straight (gay for pay) porn star “Ty,” who had tagged along after a shoot. It turns out she cut the date short because he actually licked his plate at the restaurant, freaking her the fuck out.

Josh with Lenny & Jerin | Anthony Gallo, Sam Carson & Eduardo | Article: "Gold Coast Bar Supports Aid for AIDS"

The neighborly feeling of the Gold Coast and its patrons in the 1990’s is nearly impossible to replicate these days. About 30 or so of us patrons even went camping together - a few times! A great historical landmark for sure, a goldmine of memories. Hopefully the building absorbed all the love, lust and wicked behavior that was the Gold Coast, and the new bar, OR, has the same wonderful run.

Check out Gold Coast Bar Group on Facebook for some great historical posts.

Bio of Josh Eliot:

At the age of 25 in 1987, Josh Eliot was hired by Catalina Video by John Travis (Brentwood Video) and Scott Masters (Nova Video). Travis trained Eliot on his style of videography and mentored him on the art of directing. Josh directed his first movie, Runaways, in 1987. By 2009 when Josh parted ways with Catalina Video, he'd produced and directed hundreds of features and won numerous awards for Best Screenplay, Videography, Editing, and Directing. He was entered into the GayVN Hall of fame in 2002. 

By Will Seagers

Hi folks! Will here.

We're taking a little bit of a break after the two year run of my blog with Bijou.

To celebrate the two years of fun that I've had, here is a gala video for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Will Seagers in L.A. Tool & Die, stylized image

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, recent photo

By Will Seagers

Hi folks! Will here. Once again, I'm having fun with the title. It's the very essence of a double entendre! However, in true cliffhanger tradition you will just have to wait until my New Year's Eve edition to see what's up!

Anyway, In the Beginning I started my affair with men and the camera at a very early age... Me and "Mr. Claus” at about age three or four. It's also a good liaison into wishing all of you great readers a very Happy Holiday season.

Zooming along in my life... I'm before the lens in a rather magical shot in my pre-porn days with a photographer that I met on the beach at the Jersey shore. As I remember correctly, there was a rather torrid post shoot "shoot" with him and his lover. After all, one does need an outlet after getting all worked up for that photography session!

In the next few shots, I am in my twenties before the whole porn thing began. Here at age twenty-one with my quintessential 70's hot combed coif. Also shown are some pictures of legit modeling for a hair mag, then a lovely pearl-clad lady in Viva Magazine in 1974. The latter two shots were byproducts of literally being discovered on the streets of N.Y.C.! This magic was repeated later in the decade.

Oh, the Southwest and the beauty of its deserts! While living in a Phoenix suburb, I developed a friendship with a budding amateur photographer who had me pose with his beautiful dog in a desert scene just outside of Tucson in 1975. Little did I know that I would be returning to the Southwest for more photography and ultimately to build a house and settle down!

Well, we're off! I entered the Dark Side of modeling (just kidding) in the latter part of 1975 right after moving back to the East Coast. Believe it or not, this was another case of being discovered right on the street - Christopher Street, Greenwich Village - by the folks of a newly formed studio, Man's Image.

In 1976, I seemed to become the pass around boy in the New York porn biz! From Man's Image, I was passed to my dear friend Lou Thomas (formerly a partner of Colt Studios), who formed his own Target Studio moniker. Having a knowledge of the Southwest, I suggested the site for the Ramrod "Cowboy" shoots pictured in this blog. Also, he partnered me with Bruno in a memorable and very sensual poolside escapade on Fire Island.

Then, I was passed on to Jack Deveau of Hand in Hand Films, where I was cast two more "sexs-travaganzas," Dune Buddies and Fire Island Fever - which, as you can surmise, took place on that same magical isle. This was all in the year 1976 - my first year working on Fire Island - after which I moved to San Francisco because of a work offer from Chuck Holmes (of Falcon Studios fame)!

1976 thru 1980 was non-stop and high gear for me in this business. Appearing with Al Parker in Weekend Lockup was one of the first of a cavalcade of films I made while living in San Francisco. My looks were still holding. So, I decided to dig in and take advantage of the many film and print offers. I worked side jobs to keep afloat between films. I ran a small and popular gay gym, The Pump Room, for several years. One had to stay in shape to keep the offers coming! LOL.

Then Lady Luck stepped in. Through a very dear friend (and great fuck buddy) I was recommended to the Gage Brothers to be cast in the last of their trilogy of films - L.A. Tool & Die! Wow... this was the big time. (And, I even got to use some acting skills!) It turned out to be a monster hit with a cult like following. It was after this film that I started to think about slowing down and slowly finish off my porn career. I thought it was better to go out with a bang... right?

Well, this was not in the cards for me. Luckily my genetics and slow aging process gave me the opportunity to make several more notable films leading up to my last films circa 1988. Although, I respect (and am turned on by sexy older guys), I didn't feel it was the right fit for me. So, this year marked my denouement in the film biz.

Life certainly wasn't over! And, much to my surprise and pleasure, I found myself in my 40s and 50s still being desirable and attractive to many. I was 45 when I was discovered on the dance floor of The Roxy (a rather famous NYC dance club) by my spouse of almost 29 years! I brought him to the Southwest where he fell in love with its charm and magical vistas, as well. We happily dwell together in the house we built to celebrate our love and commitment.

So this brings me to a partial end of my saga. It was a great era and a great run working with some of the best in the business. And, most of all, it has been a treat to perform and be enjoyed by all of you... the readers of this blog. To you I say Thank You!.. but, not quite farewell!

Bio of Will Seagers:

Will Seagers (also credited as Matt Harper), within his multifaceted careers and participation in numerous gay communities across the country in the '70s and '80s and beyond, worked as a print model, film performer, and DJ, just to name a few. He made iconic appearances in releases from Falcon, Hand in Hand, Joe Gage, Target (Bullet), J. Brian, Steve Scott, and more, including in lead roles in major classics like Gage's L.A. Tool & Die (1979) and Scott's Wanted (1980). He brought strong screen presence and exceptional acting to his roles and was scene partners with many fellow legends of classic porn.

Will Seagers, recent photo