Pornographic films (pornos), erotic films, adult films, sex films, 18+ films, or also known as blue films, are films that represent sexually explicit subject matter in order to arouse, fascinate, or satisfy the viewer. Pornographic films represent sexual fantasies and usually include erotically stimulating material such as nudity (softcore) and sexual intercourse (hardcore). A distinction is sometimes made between "erotic" and "pornographic" films on the basis that the latter category contains more explicit sexuality, and focuses more on arousal than storytelling; the distinction is highly subjective.
Softcore pornography or softcore porn is commercial still photography, film, or art that has a pornographic or erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexual penetration. It typically contains nude or semi-nude actors involved in love scenes and is intended to be sexually arousing and aesthetically beautiful. The distinction between softcore pornography and erotic photography or art, such as Vargas girl pin-ups, is largely a matter of debate.
George Harrison Marks was an English glamour photographer and director of nudist, and later, pornographic films.
Mary Ruth Maxted, known professionally as Mary Millington from 1974 onwards, was an English model and pornographic actress. Her appearance in the short softcore film Sex is My Business led to her meeting magazine publisher David Sullivan, who promoted her widely as a model and featured her in the 1977 softcore comedy Come Play With Me, which ran for a record-breaking four years at the same cinema.
David Sullivan is a British businessman and former pornographer. From 1986 to 2007, he owned the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport, which he sold for £40 million.
Fiesta was a British softcore adult magazine published monthly by Galaxy Publications Limited. It was a sister publication of Knave magazine, launched two years later.
Sex comedy, erotic comedy or more broadly sexual comedy is a genre in which comedy is motivated by sexual situations and love affairs. Although "sex comedy" is primarily a description of dramatic forms such as theatre and film, literary works such as those of Ovid and Giovanni Boccaccio may be considered sex comedies.
Eskimo Nell, is a 1975 British sex comedy film directed by Martin Campbell and starring Roy Kinnear and Christopher Timothy. It was produced by Stanley Long. Though inspired by "The Ballad of Eskimo Nell", the movie owes little to the original bawdy song. Long called it "my definitive statement about the sex films". The film features little nudity.
Suzy Mandel is a former actress and model best known for her roles in such mid-1970s British sex comedies as Intimate Games (1976), Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976), Come Play with Me (1977), The Playbirds (1978), and Adventures of a Plumber's Mate (1978), and for her appearances on The Benny Hill Show.
Howard "Vanderhorn" Nelson was an ex-champion bodybuilder who also acted in many British sex comedies. Cast in both comedy roles as well as `heavies' due to his muscular appearance, Nelson's most regular employer was close personal friend Harrison Marks. For many years Nelson worked in Marks' Studio in Farringdon. As well as being a regular in Marks' softcore films, Nelson also appeared in several of Marks 8mm glamour films. Nelson also made several appearances in various blue films made by Marks, usually wearing elaborate disguises like dark glasses and/or a blonde wig. In 1978 he appeared on the cover of Forum magazine he also featured as a 'spanking milkman' in the second issue of New Janus, a corporal punishment magazine Marks edited.
In the United Kingdom, pornography is regulated by a variety of laws, regulations, judicial processes, and voluntary schemes. Pornographic material generally has to be assessed by regulators or courts to determine its legality. British censorship laws with regard to pornography have often been some of the most restrictive in Western Europe.
Sue Longhurst is an English actress who appeared in several X-rated sex comedies in the 1970s.
The Nine Ages of Nakedness is a 1969 British sex film, directed by Harrison Marks, and starring Marks as himself and featuring Bruno Elrington, June Palmer, Julian Orchard, Max Wall and Cardew Robinson.
Cinema X was a British film magazine best known for its coverage of sexploitation films. Early issues of the magazine were undated, but it is believed the first issue was published in 1969. The first film to grace the cover of Cinema X was Loving Feeling (1969), directed by Norman J. Warren. Other films covered in the first issue were I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967), Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968), and Therese and Isabelle (1968). Interviewees in the premiere issue included Norman J Warren, John Trevelyan and Anthony Newley.
The Playbirds is a 1978 British sexploitation film directed by Willy Roe and starring Mary Millington, Glynn Edwards, Suzy Mandel and Windsor Davies. It was the official follow-up to Come Play with Me (1977), one of the most successful of the British sex comedies of the 1970s, which also starred Millington.
Emmanuelle is the lead character in a series of French erotic films based on the protagonist in the novel of the same name, by Emmanuelle Arsan, written in 1959 and published in 1967.
Keep It Up Downstairs, is a 1976 British period sex comedy film, directed by Robert Young and starring Diana Dors, Jack Wild and William Rushton. It was written by Hazel Adair.
Sex in film, the presentation of aspects of sexuality in film, especially human sexuality, has been controversial since the development of the medium. Films which display or suggest sexual behavior have been criticized by religious groups or have been banned or censored by governments, although attitudes have changed much along the years and a more permissive social environment has developed in certain parts of the world, notably in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. In countries with a film rating system, films which contain explicit sex scenes typically receive a restricted classification. Nudity in film may be regarded as sexual or as non-sexual.
Emmanuelle in Soho is a 1981 British sex film directed by David Hughes and produced by David Sullivan, and starring Angie Quick, Julie Lee and John M. East. Sullivan had originally intended Mary Millington to star in the film.
Fantasm is a 1976 Australian softcore pornographic film, directed by Richard Franklin under a pseudonym. It was followed by a sequel, Fantasm Comes Again, the following year, directed by a pseudonymous Colin Eggleston.
