Valley of the Nude

Reporter James Mack receives an assignment from his boss to write an editorial about nudism, which is gaining popularity. Being completely clueless about the subject, his research begins at the library. The clerk tells him that nudist books are total best sellers and refers him to the luminary Dr. King. James pays him a visit and, using an educational film, Dr. King explains to him the many health benefits of naked bodies and burning hot sun. James is enthusiastic, but now he wants to gain some practical experience. Dr. King's secretary Prudence Kent takes him to the nearby nudist camp Elysia. James initially finds it difficult to take off his clothes, but soon realizes that his prejudices are completely outdated and that the residents lead a peaceful and open life together.

Shot in 1933, Elysia, Valley of the Nude is one of the first nudist films, and while it tirelessly promotes the health benefits of naked skin under a bright sun, at times you can't shake the feeling that they wanted to draw less health-fanatic moviegoers into the movie theaters by showing them bare breasts. The film comes across as an educational film that sometimes makes hair-raising claims that hopefully no one took seriously back then. It starts with the fact that you have a natural aversion to clothing from birth, bathing in the sun can cure or improve pretty much any disease, and even Benjamin Franklin is said to have been a nudist.

All this pseudo-scientific blah blah blah, which is mainly dealt with in the first half of the film, was probably necessary to justify all the naked women and men later on. The highlights are a naked boxing match, nudists at lunch including the fight with the napkin in the summer wind and the voluminous nudist with the accordion. During the filming, meticulous attention was paid to the fact that the whole dangling masculinity can be seen, if at all, only from a greater distance. In its own way, the film is highly entertaining and, at 45 minutes, pleasantly brief. Filming was done in Lake Elsinore, which was home to the largest nudist camp in California. Around the lake there were many villas of Hollywood stars e.g. Bela Lugosi. In the film you can briefly see the opulent estate of Aimee Semple McPherson.

Uncut version released on Blu-ray

The film was first released by VCI as the third installment in the Sex and Buttered Popcorn series. Included here, however, is only a heavily cut version that spares us the whole frame story about the reporter James with his spicy assignment. The film starts right in the nudist camp in the middle of a speech by Glassey.
Also being the third installment of the Forbidden Fruit series, Elysia, Valley of the Nude was released on a Blu-ray along with Unashamed. The film shows its age, but the picture quality is surprisingly good.

Both versions, but especially the DVD, have short film tears. Only longer film tears are listed in the report.

Picture comparison:

DVD:

BD:

Runtimes:

DVD: 24:58 min.
BD: 45:41 min.

Comparison between the US DVD by VCI and the US Blu-ray by Kino Lorber / SWV.

[00:00:00][00:00:00]

The DVD first fades in "Feature Presentation" and then the movie title "Elysia, Valley of the Nudes".

The Blu-ray begins with the title overlay, followed by opening credits. At the end comes the note that the film was shot at the largest nudist camp in California. The filmmakers point out that they are only concerned with emphasizing the health benefits of nudism.

James was summoned to his boss, the editor of the "International News Bureau", who immediately hands him a nudist magazine. His boss tells him that this is the official magazine of a nudist colony and James should do research there to write an editorial. James says that he can already get everything he wants to know from the magazine, but his boss insists that James should do research. His boss quotes other newspaper articles that report that nudists should no longer be considered offensive. James is supposed to find a nudist camp to do research there. He gives him the tip to start his research in a bookstore.

In a bookstore, James asks the saleswoman about nudist books, who immediately tells him that they are among her best sellers. He asks if she could name one of the buyers of the books so that he can get in touch with the scene. The saleswoman refers him to Dr. King, who is considered an authority in the field. She wants to sell him another book, but James says that he doesn't need this one now.

The secretary, Prudence, comes to Dr. King to tell him that a reporter is writing a story on nudism and would now like to interview him. Dr. King is interested and has James come in.

Dr. King shows James the pictures of two ancient Greek doctors for whom bathing in the sun was considered essential. He tells of other doctors around the world who have cured diseases by sunlight. James wants to know more about the origin of nudism. Dr. King says that he will show him some films that can clarify this better than his words. He calls Prudence to operate the projector while he darkens the room.

They watch film footage from Africa. Dr. King emphasizes the generally good health of Africans and that they wear clothing only for decoration. The strength and agility of the indigenous people is perfectly balanced. The nudists also strive for a perfect balance of body and mind. To achieve this, nature and especially the sun are very important. One should not be dissuaded by people who have no understanding of this. He further emphasizes that sunlight should be considered as a kind of nourishment. Bathing is also important, which was originally done naked. It was only in modern times that prudery ruled and one had to dress for a bath.

James says that these pictures will help him write a report. But he notes that the shots showed primitive peoples and asks how civilized people are. Dr. King replies that Benjamin Franklin was civilized and a nudist. In doing so, he quotes a letter in which Franklin mentions that he sunbathes naked in the morning. James is convinced and asks if Dr. King can drive him to a nudist camp, but he doesn't have time today. Since Prudence is going to a camp today, he offers that James could go with her after all.

Prudence and James drive to the camp by car. At one stop, Prudence explains where the ""Elysian Fields"" are located. James asks her what that large estate nearby is. Prudence explains to him that it is the summer home of Aimee Semple McPherson. The two continue their journey. Prudence stops at a lookout point and gives James an overview of the lake.

Finally, the two arrive at the gate of Elysia. Prudence honks the horn. Glassey comes running and opens the gate for her. James is already announced and Glassey asks him to sign a contract in which James agrees to behave according to the standards of Elysia. James signs. Together they drive a little further until Prudence gets out and says to James that now Glassey is his chauffeur. James sees some naked people. Glassey says that he will meet the people at the campfire tonight.

In the evening, the members sit together around the campfire Glassey stands up and says that there is a reporter present who wants to do a report on nudists. Glassey points out that the members should be frank with him. He addresses the three fundamental facts. Humans have an innate aversion to clothing, and fast-paced society produces neurotic and crazy people.

As he gets to the third point, the DVD kicks in.

DVD: 16 sec.
BD: 18:55 min.


[00:02:10][00:20:49]

Glassey goes on to say that a naked child is happy, but as soon as you put clothes on it, it starts screaming. This behavior, he says, is innate and cannot be discarded during life. When a person is brought into an environment where nudity is completely normal, he immediately adapts to it. From childhood, a morbid curiosity grows in the interest of the body and sexuality. He justifies it with the fact that otherwise the brothels, pornographic magazines and burlesque shows could not exist.

BD: 1:52 min


[00:04:50][00:25:23]

The couple runs behind the house.

BD: 2 secs.


[00:04:56][00:25:31]

The people at the cars can be seen for a longer time.

BD: 2 secs.


[00:22:00][00:42:37]

People are seen playing cards longer.

BD: 8 secs.