Sex Madness
Sex Madness

Movie spotlight

Sex Madness

1938
Movie
59 min
English

A young beauty queen travels to New York to further her modelling career, but contracts syphilis after being tricked into a sexual encounter. She is torn between the prospect of a slow, intensive but proven therapy and a supposed miracle cure.

Insights

Director: Joe E. LevineGenres: Drama, Exploitation

Plot Summary

This film, also known as 'The World Naked And Shameless,' is a sensationalized cautionary tale about the dangers of venereal disease. It depicts graphic (for its time) portrayals of the supposed consequences of promiscuity, aiming to shock audiences into adhering to societal norms. The narrative follows characters whose lives are allegedly ruined by unprotected sexual encounters.

Critical Reception

As an exploitation film from the late 1930s, 'Sex Madness' was not subject to the same critical review standards as mainstream cinema. Its reception was primarily driven by its sensationalist content and its aim to provoke moral panic. Contemporary audiences were likely shocked by its subject matter and explicit (though still coded) depictions, while modern viewers often view it as a product of its time, notable for its historical context and controversial methods.

What Reviewers Say

  • Sensationalist and morally didactic for its era.

  • Noted for its explicit (for the time) handling of taboo subjects.

  • Viewed today as a historical artifact of exploitation filmmaking.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for 'Sex Madness' is not readily available due to its age and niche status as an exploitation film.

Fun Fact

The film was produced by Dwain Esper, a prominent figure in the exploitation film industry, known for his sensationalist and often morally instructive films.

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