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“Naked Came the Stranger”: An Oral History

From PRI (Opens in new window) and WNYC (Opens in new window)

“Together like garden snakes, they contorted, moaned, gasped, clenched and throbbed.”

In 1969, the erotic potboiler “Naked Came the Stranger” climbed The New York Times bestseller list. According to the back cover, it was written by a “demure Long Island housewife” named Penelope Ashe. Except… that wasn’t the whole story. Harvey Aronson, Marilyn Berger, George Vecsey, and other former Newsday staffers reveal the naked truth behind this literary caper. 

Produced by Sam Kim. “Naked Came the Stranger” excerpts read by Lorraine Mattox. “Stranger Than Naked” excerpts read by Greg Tannen. 

Special thanks to: Harvey Aronson, Irene Virag, Corinne McGrady, George Vecsey, Mal Karman, Barry Abisch, and Jay Shah.

Bonus Track: Naked Came the Stranger – The Movie

Harvey Aronson, Stan Green and Tony Insolia on how the book was adapted into a movie.

The front cover of the paperback edition
(Dell)
Some of the co-conspirators pose outside of the Newsday headquarters
(Time)
Mike McGrady and Harvey Aronson on the front page of "The Independent" on August 7, 1969
(The Independent) 
Co-writers Bob Wiemer, Stan Green, Tony Insolia and Jack Schwartz appeared in "The Star-Ledger" on August 17, 1969
(The Star-Ledger)
The photo of Billie Young (and her Russian wolfhound) that was used on the book jacket
(Lyle Stuart, Inc.)
A newspaper ad for “Naked Came the Stranger,” with co-writer/editor Harvey Aronson posing as one of the characters
(Lyle Stuart, Inc.)
"The New York Times" reviewed the book, August 3rd 1969, not aware that it was a parody
(The New York Times)
“Naked Came the Stranger” reached #3 on The New York Times best-seller list on Nov. 2, 1969
(The New York Times)

 

Music Playlist

  1. Pony

    Artist: Quincy Jones & The Ray Brown Orchestra
    Album: Music From The Adventurers
    Buy on Amazon

  2. Chance Meeting

    Artist: Johnny Williams
    Album: Valley Of The Dolls (Soundtrack)
    Buy on Amazon

  3. Jennifer's French Movie

    Artist: Johnny Williams
    Album: Valley Of The Dolls (Soundtrack)
    Buy on Amazon

  4. The Gillian Girl Commercial

    Artist: Johnny Williams
    Album: Valley Of The Dolls (Soundtrack)
    Buy on Amazon

  5. The Beast

    Artist: Milt Buckner
    Album: Rockin' With Milt
    Buy on Amazon

  6. Theme From Valley of the Dolls

    Artist: Gabor Szabo
    Album: Bacchanal
    Buy on Amazon

  7. (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls

    Artist: Ana Gasteyer
    Album: I'm Hip
    Buy on Amazon

  8. Stablemates

    Artist: Ross Hoyt

  9. A Minor Jazz

    Artist: Brett Van Donsel