Laura Gemser
Laura Gemser (born October 5 1950, Java, Indonesia) is an erotic actress and is generally accepted as one of the 1970s most famous erotic icons. She is sometimes credited as Moira Chen, Laura M. Gemser or Laurette Marcia Gemser.
After modelling in various magazines in the Netherlands, Gemser began to take part in some soft erotic films. She became internationally recognised after starring in a number of Black Emanuelle films in the 1980s. These films were especially popular as late night fare on the Cinemax cable channel in the USA, which helped lead to the channel being dubbed "Skinemax" by late-night television watchers. For most adolescents in the 1980s, Gemser was the probably the most popular starlet amongst the teenage boys who couldn't legally rent or purchase the films. Although she appeared in numerous hardcore titles, she always had simulated sex. The "notorious" scenes in Black Emanuelle are hardcore inserts, although the version of that film aired on cable has edited out the majority of such scenes.
Most of her films were directed by Joe d'Amato, and they are now regarded as samples of the Italian erotic/horror cult films. Some of her films are Emmanuelle 2 (1975), Black Emanuelle (1975), Eva nera (1976), Emanuelle in America (1976) and Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals (1977), and Caligola: la Storia mai raccontata (1981).
After more than a decade a sex symbol, Gemser turned to costume design for mainstream film (although she continued taking small roles). Among others, Gemser provided costume design and coordination for the 1990 film Troll 2. The movie, as well as the costuming, was widely mocked by syndicated film critics, and it has been on several "worst movies of all time" lists since its release.
Selected filmography
- Tenera storia (1992)
- Metamorphosis (1990) ... prostitute
- Quest for the Mighty Sword ... as Grimilde
- Undici giorni, undici notti 2 (1990) ... as Jackie Forrest
- Top Model (1988) ... as Dorothy/Eve
- Riflessi di luce (1988) ... as Diana
- Voglia di guardare (1986)
- Il Piacere (1985) ... as Haunani
- Il Alcova (1984) ... as Zerbal
- Emanuelle fuga dall'inferno (1983) ... as Emanuelle
- Déchaînement pervers de Manuela (1983) ... as Manuela/Emanuelle
- Endgame - Bronx lotta finale (1983) ... as Lilith
- Horror Safari (1982) ... as Maria
- Violenza in un carcere femminile (1982) ... as Emanuelle/Laura Kendall
- La Belva dalle calda pelle (1982) ... as Emanuelle
- The Bushido Blade (1981) ... as Maria
- Die Todesgöttin des Liebescamps (1981) ... as The Divine One
- Mavri Emmanouella (1979) ... as Black Emmanouella/Emanuelle Brindisi/Victor's wife/Livia's stepmother
- La Via della prostituzione]] (1978) ... Emanuelle
- Emanuelle e gli ultimi cannibali (1977) ... as Emanuelle
- Emanuelle - perché violenza alle donne? (1977) ... as Emanuelle
- Suor Emanuelle / Emanuelle in America (1977) ... as Emanuelle
- Emanuelle nera orient reportage (1976) ... Emanuelle
Costume designer credits
- Door to Silence (1991)
- La Donna di una sera (1991)
- Ritorno dalla morte (1991)
- Hot steps - passi caldi (1990)
- Troll 2 (1990)
- Metamorphosis (1990)
- La Casa (1990)
- Contamination .7 (1990)
- La Stanza della parole (1990)
- Amore sporco (1988)
- Top Model (1988)