Lorna Maitland — Biography

Born in Glendale, California, on November 19, 1943, Lorna Maitland is an American actress primarily recognized for her ample bust and her roles in three Russ Meyer productions: Lorna (1964), Mudhoney (1965), and Mondo Topless (1966). Maitland, who had previously worked as an exotic dancer in Los Angeles, responded to a Daily Variety advertisement placed by Russ Meyer seeking a lead for his film Lorna. Initially, another actress was chosen but was replaced due to insufficient cleavage. Meyer ultimately hired Maitland on the very first day of shooting, having previously overlooked her audition pictures. During the filming of Lorna, Maitland was 20 years old, weighed 135 pounds, and possessed measurements of 42DDD-24-35. She was pregnant throughout the two-week production of Lorna. This pregnancy further amplified her already significant breasts, giving them a notably engorged appearance. During her first close-up, when she leaned over, her nipples touched her knees, prompting Meyer to exclaim, "confirmation of the dreadnoughts, box office!" Meyer selected the name Lorna Maitland, inspired by a secretary he once admired, and chose the surname 'Maitland' to distance the character from any perceived provincial origins. Lorna signaled the conclusion of Meyer's "nudies" era and his initial venture into more substantial filmmaking. It is often considered his most romantic work, despite its somber conclusion. The director characterized the film as "a brutal examination of the important realities of power, prophecy, freedom and justice in our society against a background of violence and lust, where simplicity is only a facade." Critics lauded Maitland's performance, describing her as "a wanton of unparalleled emotion...unrestrained earthiness...destined to set a new standard of voluptuous beauty." The film itself was likened to "the female Tom Jones (film)."