Monday, May 18, 2009

Forbidden art

I found this beautiful compilation of old film clips, forced to be cut out because of its erotic nature. Look at it - it is almost magical.






Today, May 18th, is also the day when silent star Norma Talmadge signed her footprints outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 1927, after having stepped in the wet concrete by mistake. As we all know by this time, a trend had been introduced.


8 comments:

Gloria said...

Ankles, ankles... seas of NAKED ankles!

Now that's sinful!

No wonder the censors cut it, so we wouldn't be forced to avert our virtuous eyes ;p

Abe Lucas said...

What amazes me, particularly in the USA, is how violence has always been freely and cheerfully depicted--they dub it "action"-- but the slightest bit of sensuality, or even casual, non-sexual nudity was strictly forbidden. Of course, the glorification of violence always fails to show the consequences and suffering resulting from said violent act. I could go on, but my blood pressure says, "Hold it, fella!"

Mykal Banta said...

Beautiful. The shot of all those legs under the table, responding to jazz with everything from bare feet doing the charlston to high-heeled legs slowly being crossed, one of the most purely erotic scenes I have seen for some time. A dream montage of etheral desire. - Mykal

Lolita of the Classics said...

Gloria:
Haha, exactly! But I must admit - I'm amazed by the erotic nature of the clips, even if they show nothing more than just ankles. Now, that's skills!

C.K. Dexter Haven:
Haha, please, go on! I love to hear people whine about things like this, haha. But it IS really puzzling. But what is more strange to the modern public than the censorship on erotic scenes is the law that came in 1934 that explained that inter-racial couples couldn't be seen on screen (!) and that relationships outside of marriage couldn't be shown in any positive way (?). Life was a bit different then...

Radiation Cinema:
I here an artist speak! I agree with you totally, I was completely fascinated by the film clips. I have seen it five times today, I'm enchanted.

Christopher said...

alright! You're under arrest..Playing footsies under the table!.....I've seen naughtier stuff than that get by the censors..

Lolita of the Classics said...

Christopher:
Haha. Yes, I thought about that too. You almost get the feeling that the cencors chose what was inappropriate or not depending on what side of the bed the woke up on...

Elsie said...

Very neat. I find censorship history most fascinating and will read or watch anything about it!

Lolita of the Classics said...

Elsie:
It IS really fascinating! Thank's for stopping by!