The Flaming Urge
The Flaming Urge

The Flaming Urge

1953Movie68 minEnglish

A pyromaniac tries to fight his obsession with fire. This movie uses the pyromaniac urge as an extraordinarily transparent metaphor for homosexuality.

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Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Director: John DerekGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A naive young woman is drawn into the seedy underbelly of Hollywood after befriending a manipulative actor. She becomes entangled in his schemes and the desires of powerful men, leading to her exploitation and a descent into a world of moral compromise. The film explores themes of innocence lost and the dark side of the American dream.

Critical Reception

The Flaming Urge was a controversial film upon its release, largely due to its frank depiction of sexual exploitation and its exploitation film elements. It received mixed reviews, with some critics acknowledging its bold themes while others condemned its sensationalism and perceived low production values. It has since been viewed as an example of exploitation cinema of the era.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film attempts to tackle mature themes but often succumbs to melodrama.
  • Praised by some for its daring subject matter for the time, but criticized for its execution.
  • Considered a notable, albeit flawed, example of exploitation filmmaking.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film was directed by its star, John Derek, who also wrote the screenplay and produced it, marking one of his earliest ventures behind the camera.

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