February 20, 2016

"It's 100 years since Annette Kellerman became the first person to appear nude in a Hollywood film."

BBC reports.
"From the far-away sphere of the Unknown we are immediately borne, by this film, to a land of enchantment," [The Green Room theatrical magazine said]. "Something of the wonder of the Arabian Nights, of the glory of the East, of our own war, of fairyland, of womanly power and eternal beauty, is manifested to us by this masterpiece of cinematography."...

"She represented the fit, active and spectacular female body, and urged other women to throw away their corsets and become fit and healthy," says Angela Woollacott, professor of history at Australian National University. "She saw herself as something of a guru for women's fitness, but others also saw her as an icon of feminine modernity," she adds.

14 comments:

Titus said...

She got arrested in Revere Beach, Mass. The oldest public beach in the country and a notorious gay cruise area-I have been blown there.

tits.

Fernandinande said...

The perfect woman, according to Capt. Leslie T. Peacocke, "Measurements that almost surpass belief!" A perfect 33.1-26.6-37.5, with a better reach then the Venus de Milo.

Etienne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MisterBuddwing said...

Hmmm. I was under the impression that one of the first, if not the first, nude actresses in movie history was Margaret Edwards, who portrayed The Naked Truth in a 1915 film called "Hypocrites," directed by a woman, Lois Weber:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJBJvEEPegI

(OK, I can't claim to have seen the whole thing, but I believe it has something to do with a minister desperately seeking - well, the naked truth.)

Fernandinande said...

MisterBuddwing said...
..Margaret Edwards, who portrayed The Naked Truth in a 1915 film called "Hypocrites," directed by a woman, Lois Weber:


Apparently: "The film was passed by the British Board of Film Censors. However, because of the full and recurring nudity through the film, it caused riots in New York, was banned in Ohio, and was subject to censorship in Boston when the mayor demanded that the film negatives be painted over to clothe the woman."

Joe said...

Soon after inventing movies, genuine porn, even by modern standards, was being made and shown.

The "out" for Kellerman is that she was the first "major" star to be nude in an American studio produced film. Major start meaning, I suppose, she'd already made a few movies. Throw enough qualifiers in and anyone can be first at anything.

Audrey Munson in Inspiration also preceded Kellerman, but it was her first movie and apparently she was shown from the back.

Fernandinande said...

After the Ball (1897) is the earliest known film to show nudity.[7]

'Course the BBC referred to the first Hollywood film since French films don't count.

n.n said...

Progress has a genuinely conservative appeal. Someone has to lead.

Laslo Spatula said...

The technology of Film Nudity has developed greatly in the last hundred years.

By that I mostly mean they film in Color, now.

I am Laslo.

Popville said...

Puritanism, sigh.

gpm said...

Not a single mention of Million Dollar Mermaid?

--gpm

mikee said...

Have there ever been any new technologies NOT immediately adapted for the use and propagation of porn? I mean, like since the cotton gin?

Darrell said...

1915 film called "Hypocrites,". . .


The nude woman is presented as a "spirit," using special effects--and pretty good ones, given the time. Lois Weber was well ahead of her time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJBJvEEPegI

Leigh said...

"Icon of feminine modernity" sounds like "social norm-setter" in this context.

Not to pour on a bucket of cold water, but it didn't take long for modern feminists to wholly devalue their dollar (if I am allowed to use that metaphor).

Following this devaluation debacle, our young damsels demand more protection than before, as they haplessly find themselves waking up in unfamiliar beds with pounding heads. Small wonder they feel helpless and in constant distress.

Don't misunderstand: corsets and discriminatory pay are loathsome; modernity and fitness ought to engender respect. And an appreciation for physical health and beauty is great. Yet still, with such appreciation dwindling, it's fair to ask: is there a special place in hell for women who have hurt other women so irrevocably, by ensuring that none are special, and a young woman's modesty and restraint hold no weight?