# First mainstream movie to show a penis **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 8, 2002, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913 "2002-06-08T00:04:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/1 "2002-06-08T00:04:55Z")
This question arose while some friends and I were watching _Color of Night_, when suddenly and without warning, you see Bruce Willis’ pecker. Wine through the nose. Anyway, we started wondering what the first mainstream Hollywood movie was to show male full frontal nudity. I know you can briefly see Ahnold’s pecker at the beginning of _Terminator_, but there’s gotta be an older one than that. Someone else mentioned _American Gigolo_, but no one else had seen that to confirm. Could another member possibly take hold of the job of pointing me in the right derection so I could poke around and maybe see what comes up? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/2 "2002-06-08T00:58:04Z")
Ghost Story featured a completely gratuitous pecker (the best kind), but it certainly wasn’t the first- I just can’t think of any earlier “mainstream” examples right now. What do you mean by mainstream? Non-porn? Because Pink Flamingos may fit yr criteria. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/3 "2002-06-08T01:09:39Z")
I would vote for A Clockwork Orange. When Malcolm McDowell is booked into prison, you can see part of his talleywhacker. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/4 "2002-06-08T01:10:17Z")
How about Monty Python’s Life of Brian? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/5 "2002-06-08T01:13:40Z")
**Monty Python’s Life of Brian** showed one, but it was after Ghost Story. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/6 "2002-06-08T01:30:06Z")
I definitely mean non-porn, of course. Backed by a major studio. _A Clockwork Orange_ is a good one, but you kinda have to squint. Not like in _Color of Night_. Slight Hijack - Ebert’s [review](http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/1994/08/936043.html) of _Color of Night_ is quite funny: “There is, indeed, not much I can say about the rest of the movie without revealing plot points so subtle and cleverly concealed that they would come as astonishing surprises to Forrest Gump.” ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/7 "2002-06-08T01:33:59Z")
I am fairly certain it is “Women in Love” with Alan Bates and Oliver Reed in 1969. [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0066579](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0066579) Any film before that where a penis is clearly seen is either an obscure, low budget exploitation flick, or some “ethnographic” nudity of tribesmen somewhere - in that case…probably 1898? ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/8 "2002-06-08T01:59:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > \*\ ***Monty Python’s Life of Brian** showed one, but it was after Ghost Story. \*\* Er . . . _Life of Brian_ was released in 1979, _Ghost Story_ in 1981. We’re talking about the same _Ghost Story_, right, with Craig Wasson and Melvyn Douglas, _et al._? ---
**Author:** ![Fibonacci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Fibonacci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibonacci)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/9 "2002-06-08T02:21:14Z")
Well I remember seeing “The Groove Tube” in '72 where Buzzy Linhart let it all hang out. According to his [website](http://www.buzzylinhart.com/bio.html): “Buzzy also has many film acting credits, including being the first male to show full frontal nudity in a non-x-rated movie, as the hitchhiker in The Groove Tube (1972). He was also the music director for that film, which was the screen debut for Chevy Chase and Richard Belzer.” Buzzy was quite the character. Check out his story and his music! ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/10 "2002-06-08T05:04:35Z")
Let’s separate this into two questions: 1. What was the first commercial, non-porno motion picture to show a man’s penis (excluding ethnographic films)? _Dante’s Inferno_ (Italy, 1912), in a far shot, showed nude males being led onto a boat on the river Styx. _Kameradschaft_ (Germany-France, 1931), in far shots, showed mine workers showering in the nude. _I Am Curious (Yellow)_(Sweden, 1967), lead actor Vilgot Sjoman see nude several times, including closeups of his genitals. An international sensation. Released in the U.S. in 1969. _If…_ (UK, 1968). Revolt at a boy’s school. Two versions were filmed of a scene in which rule-breakers are forced to stand in cold showers. In the more explicit of the two, frontal nudity from actors Macolm McDowell, Guy Ross, and Richard Warwick. _Women in Love_ (UK, 1969). In this adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s novel, famous nude wrestling scene with actors Alan Bates and Oliver Reed. 1. What was the first commercial, non-porno Hollywood motion picture to show a man’s penis (excluding ethnographic films)? _Mom and Dad_ (1945). This independently made exploitation feature directed by Hollywood mainstay William Beaudine, about a teenage couple who get into “trouble”, includes documentary footage of a VD-ravaged penis. _Medium Cool_ (Paramount, 1969). Robert Forster has sexual romp through house with girlfriend, with casual frontal exposure. _Drive, He Said_ (Columbia, 1971). College rebel, played by Michael Margotta, runs across campus, then frees animals in biology lab, all while naked. Lengthy frontal nudity, directed by Jack Nicholson. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/11 "2002-06-08T15:18:48Z")
I believe the first commercial, non-porno movie to show an _erect_ penis was [_Intimacy_](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0256103) (2000), but I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/12 "2002-06-08T15:37:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lamia \* > \*\*I believe the first commercial, non-porno movie to show an _erect_ penis was [_Intimacy_](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0256103) (2000), but I could be wrong. \*\* _In the Realm of the Senses (Ai no corrida)_ (Japan-France, 1976) had erections and much, much more, but was an “art” film, and played non-porno venues in the U.S. and elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![TheeGrumpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheeGrumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheeGrumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/13 "2002-06-08T15:41:23Z")
For the record, the first mainstream movie to feature a penis in a lead role was 1994’s [Billy Madison](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0112508). This after the dickhead in question had supporting roles in _Shakes the Clown_, _Coneheads_, and _Airheads_. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Raven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Raven\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Raven_1)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/14 "2002-06-09T14:44:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\*_Kameradschaft_ (Germany-France, 1931), in far shots, showed mine workers showering in the nude. > \*\* Well, well… _Kameradschaft_, indeed! :eek: -Rav ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/15 "2002-06-09T14:56:52Z")
Ugh, _The Color Of Night_. Soooo many reasons that movie should be burned. . . ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/16 "2002-06-09T15:48:33Z")
Speaking of _I Am Curious (Yellow)_, you can see several scenes of the penis in question here: [http://www.dudes.org/henrythesixth/vilgot\_sjoman-curious-01.jpg](http://www.dudes.org/henrythesixth/vilgot_sjoman-curious-01.jpg) This link will probably work only on Sunday, June 9. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/17 "2002-06-09T16:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > For the record, the first mainstream movie to feature a penis in a lead role was 1994’s Billy Madison. Actually, I believe the first filmed shlong of a lead character came before that–we see _all_ of Robin Williams in _The Fisher King_ (1991). But–no close-ups. Thankfully. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/18 "2002-06-09T16:40:05Z")
Errr, I think that is a WHOOOSH, Ruffian. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2002, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/19 "2002-06-09T16:50:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ruffian \* > \*\*Actually, I believe the first filmed shlong of a lead character came before that–we see _all_ of Robin Williams in _The Fisher King_ (1991). But–no close-ups. Thankfully. \*\* Ruffian, don’t you get it, that was a joke, he was calling Adam Sandler a penis. You’ve taken him literally. But in any case, did you not read my posting above. Lead characters were showing it all in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971… ---
**Author:** ![Doubting\_Robert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Doubting\_Robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubting_Robert)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913/20 "2002-06-10T19:17:59Z")
I strongly suspect that “Never Cry Wolf” (1983) [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0086005](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0086005) is the first movie since the adoption of the current rating system in the United States to be rated PG (or GP, or M) which shows adult male full frontal nudity. The scene is fairly short, the man is not shown in close-up, and the scene is entirely non-sexual, but I was still surprised to see it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-mainstream-movie-to-show-a-penis/112913.md?page=2)