In its day, this was an extremely erotic film. A curtain is flanked by two chorus girls in doublets and hose, bearing placards reading 'Birth of the Pearl'. The curtain parts to reveal a painted backdrop representing ocean waves. In front of this is a large papier-mache oyster shell. (Actually, it looks more like a clam shell.) The shell opens to reveal its 'pearl': a shapely maiden with long dark hair. The crude photography and sidelong lighting make it seem as if this damsel is naked: actually, she's wearing a flesh-coloured leotard and tights, but her arms are bare. She awakens, smiles, stretches, then strikes a coquettish pose.
That's basically it. Still, in 1901, this must have been hot stuff for Grandpa, at a time when women's skirts didn't even reveal their ankles. 'Birth of the Pearl' was originally exhibited in hand-cranked nickelodeon viewers, with each frame of the brief filmstrip printed on a separate card: the result was viewed by one man at a time, eagerly cranking the handle while viewing the frames in flip-book fashion. The distributor (American Mutoscope) had to make their viewing machines out of solid cast iron, to prevent customers from breaking into the machines and stealing the girlie cards. Hot stuff!
I'll rate 'Birth of the Pearl' 5 points out of 10 as an historically important example of early movie erotica ... although, by modern standards, it's not very sexy at all.
That's basically it. Still, in 1901, this must have been hot stuff for Grandpa, at a time when women's skirts didn't even reveal their ankles. 'Birth of the Pearl' was originally exhibited in hand-cranked nickelodeon viewers, with each frame of the brief filmstrip printed on a separate card: the result was viewed by one man at a time, eagerly cranking the handle while viewing the frames in flip-book fashion. The distributor (American Mutoscope) had to make their viewing machines out of solid cast iron, to prevent customers from breaking into the machines and stealing the girlie cards. Hot stuff!
I'll rate 'Birth of the Pearl' 5 points out of 10 as an historically important example of early movie erotica ... although, by modern standards, it's not very sexy at all.
