1950s Sexy Movie Trailers. As Teenage Boys We Had To See Them

When I was a teenage boy, going to the Saturday matinee at the movie theater was a chance to see sci-fi features where the women were scantily clad. My buddies and I knew why we want to see the movies. Some, just a few, were sci-fi enthusiasts but the rest of us, wanted to see the female actresses. This movie trailer sells Married Too Young which I believe I saw when I was a teenager. We desperately wanted to to see this and other filmed like it not to listen to the messaging which lectured on what we shouldn’t do, but to get excited by what the movie was revealing. “Necking“ in the backseat of a convertible. Very forward girls looking to have sex even if you were nervous about it. Of course movies like these presented the downside, teenage pregnancy, unwanted marriage, sin. Abortion was not an issue at this time as it was illegal in the USA. As I recall you had to be 16 years old to go to the movie theater and see this but, being a friend of the theater ticket taker in our town, my friends and I usually got in. Every once in a while, we would spot someone’s father in the theater and sneak out. By today’s standards, this movie trailer is slow and somewhat confusing. Hollywood movie trailers from the 1950s, including those of “sexy“ movies, were dramatically different from what we’re accustomed to today. Trailers were often longer with some lasting up to 4 or 5 minutes. They were also generally more explicit about the plots, sometimes even revealing key points that today would be considered spoilers. To understand 1950s ”sexy“ Hollywood movie trailers, it’s crucial to understand the cultural and censorship norms of the time. The Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code, was firmly in effect. This code set out strict guidelines regarding what was permissible in films, including rules against nudity, suggestive dances, and “sex perversion.“ Given these restrictions, ’sexy’ in the 1950s sense was more about implication and innuendo than overt sexual content. The allure came from the suggestion of romance, the promise of passion, the glamour of the stars, and the on-screen chemistry between them. Actors and actresses were often dressed in high fashion, making them appear irresistibly glamorous. “Sexy“ 1950s trailers focused on the tension between the leading actors, showing them in close proximity, exchanging passionate dialogue, or in emotionally charged situations. Subtle gestures, the way characters looked at each other, or lingering shots on the star’s faces also added to the sexual tension. Narration was another critical component of these trailers. An authoritative, usually male voice would give a dramatic rundown of the plot, often emphasizing the romantic or sexual tension between the characters with phrases like “a forbidden love“ or “a passion that could not be denied.“ The background music would also reflect this mood - romantic, swelling orchestral pieces that signaled the emotional intensity of the film. From the early days of Hollywood, the film industry relied heavily on the star system, where certain actors and actresses were promoted as glamorous and desirable figures. This was a significant part of their appeal to audiences. Actresses, in particular, were often marketed for their beauty and sensuality, leading to a lasting association with provocative imagery. As societal norms regarding sex and sexuality changed over time, so too did the portrayals in Hollywood films. This evolution is most notable in the shift from the Hays Code era to the establishment of the Motion Picture Association’s rating system in the late 1960s. The new system allowed for more explicit content, including sex scenes, as long as they were appropriately rated. Sex scenes can serve as a powerful tool for filmmakers to explore human relationships, desires, vulnerabilities, and conflicts. They can provide a nuanced way to develop characters and advance plotlines. This artistic value, coupled with audience interest, has led to a continued presence of sex scenes in films. Sex sells, as the adage goes. Hollywood, as a business, responds to audience demands and market trends. Films with sex scenes or provocative performers often draw more attention and potentially larger box office returns, reinforcing the practice.