Sex Madness

Sex Madness is a 1938 exploitation film directed by Dwain Esper, along the lines of Reefer Madness, supposedly to warn teenagers and young adults of the dangers of venereal diseases, specifically syphilis.[1]

"Sex Madness" title card showing a copyright date of MCMXXXIV (1934).

Sex Madness
DVD cover
Directed byDwain Esper
Produced byDwain Esper
Written byJoseph Seiden
Vincent Valentini
StarringVivian McGill
Rose Tapley
Al Rigeli
Stanley Barton
Linda Lee Hill
Release date
  • 1938 (1938)
Running time
57 mins.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

This exploitation film belongs to the social guidance genre of quasi-documentary narratives, which exhort young adults to follow particular moral and social prescriptions related to sexuality and drug use.

The film centers on Paul Lorenz, a "concerned citizen" alarmed at the spread of venereal diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea. However, at a New York City burlesque show, several protagonists are more intent on engagement in sexual pleasure, regardless of the subsequent costs. They include Paul's own son Tom, burlesque dancer Sheila Wayne (who has syphilis), and two secretaries, lesbian Peggy and Betty, whom she is trying to seduce. However, one figure is not amongst them- Millicent Hamilton, a reformed former burlesque dancer. Millicent won a beauty contest in her hometown, which led her to New York, but a "casting couch" sexual encounter led her to contract syphilis. Millicent is told by her physician, Dr. Hamilton, that her condition can be cured, but only after slow, and painstaking treatment, and she should reject quack pseudo-cures. Millicent consents to this, eager to return to her home town and marry her boyfriend, Wendell- but will she heed the doctor's warnings? And what will the consequences be if she does not?

Wild parties, lesbianism, and premarital sex are portrayed. The educational aspect of the film allowed it to portray a taboo subject which was otherwise forbidden by the Motion Picture Production Code of 1930, and its stricter version imposed by Hollywood studios in July 1934.

Status

The film has fallen into the public domain and can be freely downloaded from the Internet Archive.

Sex Madness Revealed

In 2018, the film Sex Madness Revealed was released by Kino Lorber. Sex Madness Revealed features an audio commentary track over the original film, which features comedian Patton Oswalt and magician/actor Rob Zabrecky telling a fictitious history of the film. Sex Madness Revealed premiered at the Overlook Film Festival in April 2018. The film was directed by Tim Kirk and written by Kirk and Patrick Cooper.

See also
Opening shot of the film Sex Madness (1938).

References
  1. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films:..Sex Madness Retrieved October 21, 2016
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