Artie Mitchell (1947 – 1991) was an American film director and producer who was widely known for his pornography films. He was born in Santa Cruz, California and was the younger brother of Jim Mitchell, who was also a porn filmmaker.
Artie and Jim Mitchell were raised in a small town in central California, and they both developed an interest in filmmaking from an early age. They began by making films with their friends, and by the late 1960s, they had developed a successful business selling films to other adult theaters. They were known for their bold and daring films, and they eventually moved to San Francisco to expand their operations.
In 1972, the Mitchell brothers opened the O'Farrell Theatre in San Francisco, which quickly became the most famous pornographic theater in the United States. At the theater, the Mitchell Brothers produced and directed their own films, and they also showed films made by other adult filmmakers.
The Mitchell Brothers were controversial figures in the industry, and they often clashed with local authorities over obscenity laws. In 1979, Artie and Jim were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder after an altercation with a rival producer. Artie was acquitted of all charges, but Jim was convicted and sent to prison.
After his brother's incarceration, Artie Mitchell continued to make films, but he also began to explore other areas of filmmaking. He directed the 1982 documentary “Behind the Green Door,” which was a behind-the-scenes look at the making of his most famous film. He also wrote, produced, and directed the film “Nightdreams,” which was a semi-autobiographical exploration of his own life.
In 1991, Artie Mitchell died from a drug overdose. He left behind a legacy of provocative and controversial films that pushed the boundaries of censorship and defied traditional norms. He was a pioneer in the adult film industry, and he will be remembered for his creativity and boldness.
