The Good Old Naughty Days

Here's something you don't see every day: a collection of silent pornographic shorts originally produced for exhibition in French brothels. The Good Old Naughty Days offers a rare glimpse into the genesis of "blue movies" with these 11 anonymously created films made between 1905 and 1930. But don't be fooled into thinking these vintage films are Victorian in spirit or presentation: while they offer some degree of naïve charm due to the amateur nature of the productions (especially when the stars have difficulty maintaining straight faces or begin to adjust wigs knocked askew), these old movies are just as explicit as any contemporary pornography available on video. Even worse is the inclusion of a 1925 American animated short called "Buried Treasures," which includes some of the most vulgar and coarse humor ever featured in a cartoon. Although labeled a documentary, this is hardly a lesson in either cultural or cinematic history; despite a handful of contemporary text intertitle cards, the lessons taught in this film are the same lessons you can find for sale at any adult video store. Not recommended. (P. Hall)