We’re fighting “shamelessness” and “perversity” in public, which is the “order of the day” in Berlin and increasingly brings us to international attention…from Berlin the filth flows “over the whole of Germany.”
...we have already complained about Celly de Rheidt. The “naked nun” dance has been forbidden by the police, but the “scandal of the naked dance” continues to be tolerated. Now she’s filmed her dance. Via the film, it will be disseminated “throughout all of Germany and beyond.” This is a big problem, causing us “great pain.” Isn’t there any government agency that will take steps to prevent this?
29 April 1920.
Same club writing to complain about the “scandal” of Celly de Rheidt performance: "why isn’t this scandal being brought quickly to an end?”
24 Aug. 1920. Prosecutor's office, preliminary investigation/proceedings against Celly de Rheidt.
Her dance as a nun is just an excuse for nudity. The environment of the club where the performance takes place makes the offensiveness even stronger—it is cabaret seats 100 people the club charges high prices, champagne is served there, clearly the audience is not there to view art.
District Court (Landgericht) I, Berlin. Decision 21 Jan. 1922 to convict de Rheidt, her husband/manager and sundry other people of spreading obscenity.“Die Nonne.” A young nun, (played by Celly de Rheidt) is accused of breaking her vow of chastity. She’s to be tossed out of the convent. She flees into the church. A Virgin Mary statue (portrayed by a dancer) comes alive and she dances with it. She finally removes her clothes and stands fully naked in front of the statue, which raises its hand to bless her. Then the nun turns around and the viewer can see her completely naked body from the front...“she sinks, in her nudity, in front of the alter,” clinging to a crucifix…Viewer’s gaze is drawn to her navel, breasts and uncovered crotch (Scham)….this film aroused ire in many religious circles.
In most dances in the film, upper bodies of dancers are naked or barely clad; breasts “clearly recognizable"….no artistic value in film…the film is as obscene as the ballet on the stage.
De Rheidt was fined 21,000 Marks; her fine was reduced significantly on appeal.
[GStAPK I. HA Rep. 84 a Justiziministerium Nr. 8100]
7 comments:
Yay, porn!
Ok, I have a real question. Is the "Berlin Club" objecting to the nudie-show? Or is the problem that it portrays a naked nun?
Yeah, is the Berlin Club upset about the blasphemy or because of the nudity? Are their examples of them responding to less religiously inspired nudity?
Well, the blasphemy particularly ticks them off, I think. But blasphemy wasn't illegal per se; they seem to talk more about the nudity. She was eventually convicted for nudity, not blasphemy. Had she not had the nun dance, I'm sure they would have complained anyway; they also complained about her other dances, such as "The Vampire." And they complained about nudity in general; they were even up in arms about women wearing in 'inappropriate' bathing suits at the beach.
Oooh! The vampire! You know, when you think about it, pornography has been responsible for the success of many of the great things in modern life. The arts, film, television, the internet... I mean I bet Edison wouldn't have invented the light-bulb if it weren't for his addiction to all-girl nude reviews.
Yeah, light bulbs were actually mainly invented so that people could finally see other people naked.
This is also true of the steam engine.
Thanks for cheering me up with your nun!
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