The Expose of the Nudist Racket (1938)

This is a “faux news reel from 1938. There is no director credited. For a few years in the late thirties, “nudist colony” movies were quite popular on the “sexploitation” circuit. This directoraly uncredited movie raises the specter of nudist or nudie films of the turn of the century being nothing more than sexploitation flics. Notice that the girls featured with bare breasts are quite attractive, more so than average people who might be in the colony. These are probably models and aspiring actresses brought in for the movie only. As one producer of the time put it, “If you are going to make a nudist colony movie, bring your own nudists” Notice the title. Nudism is a “racket.” an indication of the middle class morality which is imposed on all these movies. Also note how they make fun of the fat woman. This is another aspect of these films.

This directorally uncredited movie raises the specter of nudist or nudie films of the turn of the century being nothing more than sexploitation flics.

Notice that the girls featured with bare breasts are quite attractive, more so than average people who might be in the colony. These are probably models and aspiring actresses brought in for the movie only. As one producer of the time put it, “If you are going to make a nudist colony movie, bring your own nudists” Notice the title. Nudism is a “racket.” an indication of the middle class morality which is imposed on all these movies. Also note how they make fun of the fat woman. This is another aspect of these films.