Elysia (Valley of the Nude)

This 1934 exploitation documentary film shows a reporter assigned to write a article on a nudist camp. The film was designed to be shown at small movie theaters as a shocking, exploitation type movie. Movies of this type were frequently shown at circuses, sideshows and other traveling shows. The 35 minute film is basically a tour of a nudist camp, showing the people at meals, playing volleyball, baseball, hiking, jogging, playing leap-frog, and other daily activities, except they are all nude. A somewhat amusing and funny film, especially when watched today.

This movie is believed to be in the public domain, and can be found on the boxed set "Sex and Buttered Popcorn."

I've watched this movie twice now since it's pretty short and I wanted to write a decent review. I believe that this is the first feature film to ever be made at a nudist colony. Basically the plot is that a reporter is writing an article about a nudist colony. He's convinced by the man who runs the colony, Dr. King, and his beautiful secretary, Miss Prudence King (portrayed by Betty DeSalle) to experiences the pleasures of being nude. The film basically proves that nudists live just as ordinary people, with one obvious exception. The film is almost documentary like and I'm still not sure if it is or not. I don't think so, but it sure seems like it is. I feel that this film was made to prove that being a nudist is not a bad thing at all. In fact, the people seemed very happy and at peace. I enjoyed the film for more than just the nudity. I appreciate the efforts of someone actually making a movie on this type of subject way back in 1934. Nowadays this is nothing but back then, WOW! A cult classic definitely worth watching!

It sounds healthy and looks healthy, but sitting down in the wilderness naked would appear to present problems for me. At least the story line is a bit original and the philosophy of the nudist leader is reasonably digestible. Worth watching for something different.

Good depiction of nudism as wholesome. Beautiful bodies.

Stilted dialogue and silly fiction cover-story of a reporter sent to investigate. Interspersed crackpot comments on nudism as a cure-all are a detriment or added humor, depending on your tastes. What about skin cancer? At times they wear shoes and socks which gives a dorky look. Other times they scamper around completely bare, getting covered with dust - and no worries about thorns, snakes, or sunburn! Well worth watching, but not as good as "Unashamed (1938)"

This movie antique from l933 is a fascinating time capsule of one aspect of American life that's never been really explored. We're introduced to a rustic setting in California and the real-life fun place called the Elysium Fields Nudist Camp. The female star, Constance Allen, was actually discovered there and chosen to be showcased in a delightful romp in the complete nude. What really fascinates me is that hunky, male nudists were given equal time on the screen, especially the handsome young newspaper reporter who easily strips off his clothes for most of the movie. We see that contrary to photos from the past, men were as sexy and attractive naked as their female counterparts. I mention this because the majority of nudist movies that came after concentrated on bobbing breasts and women's posteriors. We see our happy nudists eating their meals outside, playing sports, wrestling, naked children, but some of the women are rather grotesque in their obesity. Being in shape was not as yet conditioned into minds back then as it is today. The movie has a long-ago, dusty charm about it since everyone in it are quite probably deceased. The photography takes full advantage of Miss Allen's beautiful figure in several sequences and Jack, the reporter, displays a trim, handsome torso that would raise temperatures even now among female and gay viewers. Both he and his co-star radiate charm and good health. Watch this movie and wonder about all the fun that the nudists enjoyed at this particular camp when the camera wasn't rolling.