Sleaze Please: The World of Bill Margold is a surprisingly engaging and intimate look into the life and legacy of one of adult film’s most complex figures. Clocking in at a brisk 54 minutes, Gregory Hatanaka manages to deliver a compact yet surprisingly thorough documentary that explores not only the career of Bill Margold but also the broader 1970s and ’80s porn industry, with all its glitz, grime, and human drama.
The documentary’s real strength lies in Margold himself. He comes across as a mix of affection, ego, and unapologetic sleaze—someone who genuinely cared for his peers while also reveling in the chaotic, taboo world he inhabited. His open, often opinionated reflections give the film a raw authenticity, whether he’s critiquing Boogie Nights for glossing over the legal risks of X-rated filmmaking or waxing nostalgic about figures like John Holmes. While some of his self-aggrandizement and idealization of the era can be off-putting, it never feels insincere; it’s part of what makes Margold a compelling subject.
Hatanaka peppers the film with quick, colorful appearances from porn stars Serena, Christy Canyon, Lori Wagner, Tera Patrick, and Cara Lott, as well as the late casting agent Jim South, adding context and depth without overwhelming the central narrative. These voices help paint a picture of an industry that’s both glamorous and lonely—a world where, as Margold himself puts it, it’s “a business of lonely people in a crowd.”
Though brief, the documentary succeeds in delivering both entertainment and education. It’s clear that Hatanaka, often associated with lowbrow fare like the Emmanuelle series, has a genuine interest in his subject, managing to craft a film that is funny, moving, and occasionally thought-provoking. At its heart, Sleaze Please feels like a tribute not just to Margold, but to the lost and overlooked figures of the adult industry, making it a worthwhile watch for anyone curious about the history of porn cinema or the eccentric personalities who shaped it.
The film’s brevity may leave some viewers wishing for more depth or exploration of certain figures and controversies, but the concise runtime also ensures a tight, unflinching portrait that never drags. For those open to its world, it’s an amusing, heartfelt, and surprisingly enlightening glimpse behind the curtain of adult filmmaking.
Jessie Hobson