The Look of Love

As Paul Raymond settles into his London flat in 1992, he is shrouded in an overwhelming sense of sorrow, a lingering misty veil draped over his existence. The haunting memory of his daughter Debbie’s recent funeral weighs heavily on his mind. While revisiting a videotape of a television program they once filmed together, he is flooded with nostalgia, ultimately transporting him to a pivotal time that paved the way for his ascent to fame.

Through vivid flashbacks, we uncover Raymond’s modest beginnings as an impresario in the vibrant seaside variety show circuit of the late 1950s. With his remarkable knack for reinvention, he elevates his performances into sensational spectacles featuring semi-nude women. An incident involving a lion attacking dancers only seemed to invigorate his ambitions. When his wife, Jean, joined the show, Raymond’s popularity began its meteoric rise. A scandal ignited by the Daily Sketch claiming Jean performed nude led to an unsuccessful lawsuit, yet the attention served as a springboard for his career. Seizing the moment, he opened the infamous Raymond Revuebar in London, establishing the foundation of his property empire and a representation of his playboy lifestyle.

As the years progressed, Raymond boldly pushed the envelope further, transitioning into theatrical revues and nurturing the careers of aspiring actresses, including Amber St. George. Their passionate, yet tumultuous romance came at the expense of his marriage to Jean. During this tumultuous chapter, Raymond also attempted to reconnect with his grown son, Derry, whom he had fathered out of wedlock. However, an awkward dinner marked the end of their brief reunion before Raymond chose to sever ties.

His fascination with a young man named Tony Power inspired the launch of Men Only magazine. Power was drawn into a world filled with sleaze and corruption, ultimately meeting a tragic fate. The magazine’s success was, in part, due to St. George’s provocative portrayal as a “sex reporter” using the pseudonym Fiona Richmond. Throughout this chaotic lifestyle, Raymond indulged in hedonism, frequently turning to cocaine as a vice.

The arrival of Debbie into Raymond’s life heralded the dawn of a new chapter. He attempted to showcase her talent in his theatrical productions, though her lack of skill resulted in a show that was a dismal failure. Debbie would later marry musician Jonathan Hodge, prompting Jean to reappear during their wedding, even offering to pose nude for Raymond’s magazine. In a dire turn of events, during her delivery, Debbie tragically gave birth to a girl while under the influence of cocaine provided by her father. Her untimely death in 1992 due to a heroin overdose left a profound scar on Raymond.

After the solemn funeral, Raymond returns home with his granddaughter, sharing reflections about the properties that will eventually be hers. The burden of his legacy looms large, and he contemplates the complex life he has led. The story culminates in an epilogue revealing that by December 1992, Paul Raymond had become the richest man in Britain, an enduring testament to his immeasurable influence and lasting footprint in popular culture.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 16:06