Exploring The Legend Of Adult Actress Jean Jennings!
Some of the great Cult Movie Queens of the 70’s have been forgotten, and this edition of my “2023 Sex Kitten Countdown” seeks to remedy that!
Meet Jean Jennings!
You may not know Jean Jennings, but what a life she had – she was born Cynthia Jean Jackson on February 13, 1957 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
She appeared a number of films before ending up in the “golden age of porn.”
Her natural beauty and talent captivated moviegoers in the 70’s in a “far too brief” career.
It all began when Jennings ran away from home while a teenager.
She ended up in New York and the independent film scene.
Jean was only 16 when she made her movie debut.
“The Case Of The Full Moon Murders”
Or, “The Case Of The Smiling Stiffs!”
This 1973 film starred Harry Reems of “Deep Throat” fame. It was directed by Sean Cunningham, who was involved in “The Last House On The Left” and also made the first “Friday The 13th” film several years later!
This is real “nudge nudge wink wink” stuff to be sure!
The plot is pure “British Sex Comedy”: Is Emma a voyeur vampire who can turn into a bat? Apparently, and she leaves many smiling faces on her victims after going down on them during a full moon!
This X-rated sex comedy was released under different titles, and Jean received a “Strip Poker Girl” credit:
And with this role, she was on her way!
According to the great website IMDB.com, Jean was frequently cast as a virginal innocent because of her youthful look:
Jennings appeared in seven more films prior to her retirement from the adult film industry in 1979. That’s right, she only made 8 films in her career.
She played “Girl #13” in a film called “There Is No 13”:
This independent film is the story of a soldier during the Vietnam War, and his memories of the 12 women he had been involved with…there is no 13…
Interestingly, Margaret Markov played girl #11:
Markov’s greatest role was in the shower with Pam Grier, before they escaped from prison in the terrific 70’s film “Black Mama, White Mama!”
You can see more of her great film work by clicking on my story here:
Next up for Jean was one of her most famous efforts – and a true “adult film”:
“The Autobiography Of A Flea”
This 1976 was based on an anonymous erotic novel first published in 1887 in London.
This was an era when high quality adult films like this were being critically acclaimed – blending intelligent filmmaking with explicit sex scenes:
Films like “The Opening Of Misty Beethoven” and “The Devil In Miss Jones” were getting rave reviews…
“Barbara Broadcast” was another, starring Icon Annette Haven…see her terrific career highlights here:
“The film”Autobiography Of A Flea” was critically acclaimed, and Jean gave a terrific, energetic performance.
In 1810, a flea narrates the story of its host, an innocent 14 year old girl abused and corrupted by an evil lusty priest in league with her vile old uncle and several other wicked men.
As the Flea says at one point in the film about Belle, Jean’s character:
“Belle, left without protectors, readily lent an ear, among other orifices, to the solicitations of dear Father Ambrose and was persuaded to take the veil.”
The following year, Jean got married – and look who her husband was!
Jean married the legendary Character Actor Joe Spinell in February 1977 – at the time, Spinell had already been in “The Godfather” and “Rocky” among many other films!
Cult fans will know Joe for his performances in so many different films, like the crazed killer in “Maniac” with Caroline Munro.
Jean and Joe had one child before divorcing in 1979.
ere are a few of Jean’s other films from the time:
She made 3 films in 1977 called “Virgin Dreams”, “Sharon” and “Sweetheart” – and that was it.
Her film credits end here and it appears that she dropped out of the business.
After her divorce from Spinell, Jean settled down in Tampa, Florida, where she worked as a nurse and remarried.
Shockingly, Jean died at age 54 in 2011! I couldn’t find a cause of death.
Jean’s short career only included a brief foray into the adult film world before she dropped out of the business completely.
The terrific website “The Rialto Report” shared a story about her with these candid black-and-white photos – see their whole story here:
have tried to profile some of the lesser-known Adult Movie Queens of a bygone era…like Desiree West:
She had a great adult film career and you can see some of her best work here:
One of my most popular stores involved this XXX-rated star from that era:
Desiree Cousteau had “pretty peaches” and more and you can see her biggest hits here:
If you like these stories, you can go to my website’s front page and sign on to follow me – there are NO ads at all, just lots of stories to come about the wild world of exploitation and cult films!
Click here and see the “follow” button on the upper right!
Let me know if you are familiar with Jean’s work!
Categories: 70's Films, Artsploitation, Cult Classics, Exploitation Films, Extreme Cinema, Grindhouse, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Sexploitation Films, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
I have a weakness for ladies with big thick beautiful blonde bushes. Combine this with Jean’s great figure and innocent looking eyes, it’s no wonder why i am still in awe of Jean to this day!
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Always loved Jean and sorry to see she passed away at so young an age. I didn’t see mention of her film The Defiance of Good – with Fred Lincoln. A an excellent BDSM story. Very creepy.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124367/
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Thanks for sharing that with us!
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I had only heard of her from her marriage to Joe Spinell. As always, a great tribute!
Best wishes, Pete.
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