Ultramax had been an enthusiastic and zany performer in early s adult films, but how would she react to being asked to relive that period? She invited us to her midtown apartment for the day, and we arranged to film a lengthy interview with her. In person, she was a combination of Mae West and Joan Rivers, a ballsy, outrageous, and crude dame, every bit as crazy as the characters she often portrayed in films β combative, feisty, and often hilarious.
She placed no restrictions on interview topics but did have one demand: in return for an interview, she wanted us to start by chanting. Ultramax explained that she was a Buddhist and wanted to share the joys and benefits of chanting with us. It was worth it. She had never seen most of her appearances and was tickled to see her younger self in outrageous movie clips directed by people like Joe Sarno and Eduardo Cemano.
How about we start at the top and then work our way down? In the s, I was living in San Francisco. Lovely place, very sexy scene. I was in my 20s, had a lot of boyfriends, and I was having a great time. So yes, I moved to Philadelphia. Bad decision! It was dirty, it was dark, and I worked as a temporary secretary. Irving put me in this horrible place, basically just a step above a homeless shelter, and I was very upset.
My girlfriend knew everyone in New York. Every rich Jewish guy. Every millionaire in New York. I mean, it was incredible. So little Maxine started the high life. And I mean the high life! One of the first guys I dated was Roy Cohn. He was ten years older than me, but already a big shot because of the McCarthy hearings in the s when he went after suspected communists.
I was more like his beard, but it was fun. During the day, the bosses were all over me, and giving me gifts and invitations to go out with them at night!
