In a rare interview, ‘70s sexual icon Peter Berlin discusses being a fantasy object and the new documentary That Man: Peter Berlin.

By Gary M. Kramer

“He was a full body genital.”

“His fascinating image drew me in.” “He was an iconic gay sex figure.” “Dinah Shore with a hard-on.” These are but a few of the marvelous quotes and observations expressed in filmmaker Jim Tushinski’s intriguing documentary That Man: Peter Berlin, about the artist/model/porn star/legend Peter Berlin, a Tom of Finland image made flesh. Tushinki’s film will entertain those who remember Berlin, and educate those who do not. With his Dutch boy haircut, and skintight clothes that left nothing to the imagination, Berlin caused heads to turn, tongues to wag, and fantasies to ignite when he turned up in San Francisco in the early 1970s. Using amazing archival images, excerpts from Berlin’s porn films—Nights in Black Leather and That Boy—as well as photos by and of Berlin, Tushinki reveals the very private—and very public—lives of this gay male icon. IN Los Angeles did its own documenting of the man, the myth and the legend—chatting with remarkable Peter Berlin himself.

IN Los Angeles: You cultivated a very unique image. What decisions did you make in determining your “look”—the Dutchboy haircut, the open shirt, and skintight pants?

Peter Berlin: It just happened. There are not too many options for what a man can do with his looks. If your chest doesn't look too bad, open your shirt. The hair, I grew out from when I was a child, when it was cut very short. I didn't like that. I let my hair grow before the Beatles made it famous. I made it cover my very high forehead, which I never liked. It came about very natural(ly). The main emphasis was on the crotch and ass. I made an effort to [alter] my pants to the point that nothing was left to the imagination. I love the look and feeling of tight pants. I feel the clothes are there not to keep you warm, but to enhance your physique. To show what you want to show, and hide what you want to hide.

So clothes make you the man…

Clothes are a turn on—a nude beach is a bore to me. People like to get out of their clothes to have sex. For me, it's the opposite, I get dressed. It's unfortunate, young girls get a lot of criticism for showing off their tits and ass. They are stamped a whore; when males do it, you are stamped a homosexual. Males [have to] play down their looks. It's stupid they have to.

You are a fantasy for others—what are your fantasies? Who or what excites you?

The best answer I can give is if someone could imitate me. If someone would be dressed as provocatively, which would tell me a lot about that person's psyche, needs, and effort about their appearance. Someone who looks their best, in the [projection] of erotic display. I would be in heaven. It was very rare in my life. When I met people and they were not initially doing what I liked, I made them look [the way I wanted] by dressing them up. It was a private thing, like a little girl dressing up a doll.

You talk about fetishisizing your own image. Do you, um, get off on the films/photos you've made of yourself?

Of course, yes! I use the mirror, so I look at myself and then I can psyche myself into pretending this is a different person. When I [first[ looked in the mirror and started to get excited [by] my own image, I was actually frightened. In those days you didn't talk about sex. You read about it. When I realized that I liked my image, I cultivated it.

Why did you decide to make porn films? What excited you about working in the adult film industry?

I was always intrigued by the sexuality of men. The porno came about because I had a friend with a camera. I told him, “Let's do a porno.” My desire to display myself was very big. I did it just for my exhibitionistic tendency. I did it out of desire. I know I could never be an actor. I could never learn lines, I was never dedicated [like that] except to my desire to satisfy my sex needs, and have a good time with another man. That is the best thing I can feel/do for myself.

While you were an exhibitionist, you are also a very shy, private person.

Yes, I am dreadfully shy. I wish I could get over that.

You consider having plastic surgery in the film. Did you have it? Would you get it?

I would get it, and I am thinking about it. I don't mind lines in my face. It's the hanging skin underneath my chin I'm thinking about—but I've been thinking about it for 20 years. I have no qualms [about plastic surgery] but I would never take Botox.

How did you maintain your youthful good looks—exercise, eating healthy food?

I never exercised. I used to go to the YMCA in the ‘70s and worked out for 20 minutes. Biceps, chest, stomach. I was bored by it. I did a lot of walking and cruising up and down the hills, streets and beaches of San Francisco, which gave me a good frame.

Do you have any regrets?

That I couldn't stop my friends from dying, that I hadn't been nicer to my friends when I had the chance. I have no regrets about the porno films, or the photos, or falling in love with my own image. The regret is that I'm sad I miss my friends. I see the world around me going down the drain. I see in my own lifetime having to endure a decline in humanity.

Do you think the “Peter Berlin” of yesterday could exist today?

Of course! If I was Peter Berlin today, I would have a pay-per-view Web site where you could get your credit card and you could see me getting off online. I would have loved it!

So what do you think of your image and your legacy?

I like my image. The whole Peter Berlin thing came about without any design. I must have done a good job, because [it became successful]. That image [of me] has survived. I've not done anything for 30 years. There has been this revival that I look at with great interest. My image has struck a chord in a lot of people. It is known all over the world. It is good because it's honest. There is no fakery. I just did the picture when I felt really good.

That comes across.

Prior to its DVD release, That Man: Peter Berlin will have an exclusive Los Angeles area screening at Outfest Wednesdays on June 7 at 7 p.m. at the Egyptian, 6712 Hollywood Blvd.,Hlywd. For more information, visit www.egyptiantheatre.com.