Because of Eve

Okay, this is pure exploitation wrapped up in a wholesome frame. It starts out with all kinds of explanations why the made the film. Also, it adds God and the Bible to support its view. It starts off innocently enough--a couple messing around (I think the man even cops a feel). Then, we find out she is pregos, but with the help of the most benevolent doctor in history, the couple learned the facts of life that they weren't taught. We go back to the week before their wedding and the doctor lets out a secret. They are in solid health, but he once had VD and she had an illegitimate baby. Now, what docotr would ever say that without fear of a lawsuit. However, everything is okay in the end because, despite their anger, they find out she was impregnated by his best friend who died in the war. The same friend who gave him VD (long story). Anyhow, they watch very nasty films about VD, pregnancy, and the most visual birth and cesarian birth ever. The films are nasty. Lots of penis and vagina shots. Go learn the facts of life.

This film is a sex ed film that was meant to both inform and titillate audiences. However, unlike many exploitation films, this one is a lot more explicit and actually provides worthwhile information about sexually transmitted diseases. While it's very, very explicit (with a lot of nudity for the 1948s--heck, even by today's standards it's pretty explicit with its many pictures of genitalia), the film is shocking because it shows, with no holes barred, the effects of syphilis and gonorrhea--but ignores other STDs. While I have seen such films before (since I used to teach sex ed), I must admit that these are among the nastiest and scariest film clips I have ever seen! Yet, the film shows real lesions and advanced stage infestations--so it is reasonably accurate despite being so scary and tough to watch.

The narrator talks in a rather monotone and 'square' voice, but his information is essentially correct and not really exploitational. As for the accompanying story that accompanies the sex ed film, it's interesting because the nice doctor in the film also played the same sort of nice doctor in another exploitation film, "Street Corner". This isn't a bad thing, as he (Joseph Crehan) actually was a good actor with over 250 credits to his name! This is unusual for such films, as usually you see only actors who aren't really actors--just folks who are hooked into acting by scum-bag film makers. It's obvious that the film maker for "Because of Eve" was actually pretty accomplished! And, considering the film deals with STDs, abortion, sex, attempted suicide, childbirth and premarital sex in a frank way, it's quite ahead of its time.

Unlike most sex ed/exploitation films of the day, this one is rare in that it still packs information of value and has a lot of impact--not the usual unintended laughs because the film is so poorly made. This doesn't mean that there aren't some cheesy moments but that they just aren't as many and don't detract from the overall message--which isn't to blame people with STDs or have had premarital sex, but to inform.

Because of Eve (1948)

** (out of 4)

Bob and Sally are about to be married but first they must go to Dr. West (Joseph Crehan) for their blood test. Turns out that he previously had VD and she was in a relationship with a man who would be killed in war without knowing she was pregnant with his child. The two are furious with one another but the good doctor steps in to educate them on life, sex and marriage. This is yet another "road show" picture that tries to educate people but this is just the excuse used to show various things that you typically wouldn't see in a movie from 1948. If you've got a weak stomach then you'll probably want to avoid this thing as it certainly leaves nothing to the imagination. We start off seeing a film about VD and what effects gonorrhea and syphilis can have on a body. Later in the movie we see another clip of how male and female sex organs work and we finally end up seeing a couple babies being born. All of this stuff is in our face so expect a lot of nudity and graphic images of "parts" being eaten up with disease. The educational stuff here is pretty well laid out and there's no doubt people will learn stuff (if they didn't already know it). I found the drama stuff to be pretty good as the characters were fairly well written and at least they were interesting. The stories of Sally and Bob were fairly simple even though the twist was pretty hard to believe. That really doesn't take too much away though as the entertainment level is there and we have Crehan giving a pretty good performance.