The First Nudie Musical

Taking an intentional (or accidental) cue from Mel Brooks classic "The Producers", then toss in the erstwhile Broadway embarrassment "Oh Calcutta" (also a nudie) and possibly the inspiration in some very small way for Blake Edwards S. O. B where we get to see Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) bare her chest, we get a slight deviation/ variation of a musical with a porn twist. However in this instance we get something staged as a Broadway theatrical production but presented as a film. For a mainstream release, there certainly is a LOT of nudity, both male and female full-frontal, but hey, its the 70's so we shouldn't expect anything less. After Hollywood received thousands of complaints from automobile drivers who had kid passengers witness violence, horror and nudity on the big drive-in screens, as they were passing by on the freeway, a rating-system was introduced that controlled the showing of films to different age-groups. However in this case, this film was released at the same time Laverne & Shirley hit ABC during primetime, riding on the success of the mega hit Happy Days. Cindy Williams plays a very conservative character that had been introduced on Happy Days and very similar in the classic "American Graffiti",both starring with Ron Howard. The Hollywood brass and/or the combined strength of Penny Marshall and her brother Gary, who created Laverne & Shirley as a show, did not see the wisdom of having their co-lead star (Williams) who starred in a movie that had her included in scenes with exposed female/and male genitalia, and trivialized pornography while simultaneously playing a character Shirley, who is somewhat chaste and is "holding-out" for marriage, would send the right message to family members. Ergo, The 1st Nudie Musical was quickly swept under the rug in favor for the ABC sitcom. Oddly enough the only 2-women I wanted to see nude (Williams and the cute Diana Canova) are the only 2 performers who remained fully clothed. Oh well....

This movie should define the genre, with nudity and predictable plot but done in a way that the nudity is not the major theme, only spice. It would be worth watching without nudity, though it would not be as entertaining. If you like movies with stereotypical characters and lots of nudity, this is the one. You will not be disappointed with the acting, music. or technical quality except for the smoke filled first ten minutes where the effects are overdone.

This is a really good movie, except it should have ended when the character "John" visits "Wanda's". Everything after this appears to be an attempt to end without purpose. When the sale is made, quit talking. It is really good until this point, which is about 1:15 into the film.

Highly recommended. Just skip the last 15 minutes.

I first saw The First Nudie Musical when it first came out and thought it was very funny and extremely outragous. Now I have to say it still holds up. It's a wonderful little film. It's about a porn producer who in order to save his little studio decides to make the worlds first porno musical. The songs are outragous especially the one called "Dancing Dildos", which has to be seen to be believed. This was all the brainchild of one man, Bruce Kimmel, who now is a record producer. He's the one responsible to putting some of the best old albums on CD. For this film he got all his friends involved, including a cameo from one of his stars, Cindy Williams good friends. I won't spoil this cameo though it does come early in the film. Get the new DVD which I just watched. The print has never looked too good plus the DVD has two wonderful commentary tracks, a 54 minute documentary which is outragous in itself, and two deleted scenes. This film is a treat for not only those who love cult films, to the lovers of old time musicals, because this film really does send up the old Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland let's put on a show films. Do yourself a favor and add this to your DVD collection.

I saw this movie several times on cable TV back in the 70's. Very memorable, I can still recall some of the songs. Highly recommended, I wish this film were available. I'm sure most of the cast would be too embarrassed for it to be seen, but it is very funny. "I'm not a gimp, I'm not a cripple, so won't you let me hold your nipple." The bit with the "Stunt Cock" was hysterical. Bring this movie back on DVD.

I've been waiting twenty years for this thing to come to some free streaming service. And now it's on tubi. Cindy williams (shirley!) and stephen nathan. When they are out of ideas, harry decides to make a porn based musical. Silly but true. Funny opening theme song. Lots of full female frontal and rear nudity. The director they have to use has no idea what he's doing. And they only have two weeks to make it. The show already has two strikes against it. It's just started, and it's already a disaster. But some really funny bits. And filthy filthy songs. Very adult subject matter, so put the kiddies to bed! Diana canova doing some of the dirtiest material you've ever seen her do! It's all silly, but so much fun. Keep those expectations at rock bottom, but have an open mind and get ready to laugh. Story by bruce kimmel, who also plays john smithee in the show. Directed by mark haggard.