# Will they have the guts to film "Princess of Mars" all-nude, as Burroughs intended? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 21, 2006, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604 "2006-05-21T03:28:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/41 "2006-05-22T12:44:01Z")
Of course they won’t have anyone naked. How are they gonna sell a zillion little toys of the characters, not to mention all the MacDonald’s/Bruger King giveaways if they’re naked? Especially considering that you can juast put them in skimpy clothes and have done with it. That’s the way they’ve been done in the comics for ages. (Although there are a few internet artists that insist on drawing a nude Dejah Thoris.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/42 "2006-05-22T13:54:48Z")
> [@blinkingblinking](#): > > I do not know this story at all. Is it the nudity crucial for the story ? Only to the atmosphere. Dejah Thoris explains to John Carter that the red Martians know all about Earth and its history the “unsightly coverings” its people wear – they have devices that allow them to view other planets really close up. A warrior is described as “wearing the metal” of this or that chieftain or city – armbands, bracelets, etc. Apparently nobody needs to wear shoes, the surface of Mars being almost entirely covered with spongy moss. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/43 "2006-05-23T00:36:57Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Ever seen [Prospero’s Books](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102722/), which got an R rating? Whole lotta naked spirits running around in that one. I mean, almost _everybody_ is butt naked, to the point you forget about it after fifteen minutes (instead you’ll be struggling to figure out what the Hell is going on, even if you’ve read The Tempest many times). > > Not likely, but it could happen if the nekkidness is tasteful, I suppose. Then agian, Shakespeare maybe got a ratings pass that Burroughs perhaps wouldn’t. That was made, what, 15 years ago? Not the same times, any more than 1960 is like 1975. We’re in the post 9/11 era of fear and repression, my friend. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/44 "2006-05-23T00:38:59Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Of course they won’t have anyone naked. How are they gonna sell a zillion little toys of the characters, not to mention all the MacDonald’s/Bruger King giveaways if they’re naked? > > Especially considering that you can juast put them in skimpy clothes and have done with it. That’s the way they’ve been done in the comics for ages. (Although there are a few internet artists that insist on drawing a nude Dejah Thoris.) You think they lined up for _Pocahontas_… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/45 "2006-05-23T00:56:35Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Apparently nobody needs to wear shoes, the surface of Mars being almost entirely covered with spongy moss. What tough guys. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Elmo\_Lincoln](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Elmo\_Lincoln](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmo_Lincoln)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/46 "2006-05-23T01:35:49Z")
A stage play of “A Princess of Mars” is currently running in Minneapolis. A lifelong Burroughs fan, I made the trip out from Chicago to see it. It was really well done. The actors weren’t naked, though. The director told me that then it would just become a play about naked people. I suppose that would hold true for the movie, too, if it ever gets made. I didn’t realize there were so many ERB fans on this board. I reviewed the play and included several sound clips on my podcast for Burroughs fans, Dateline Jasoom. It’s the latest episode, number 8. My web site is [www.panthanpress.com](http://www.panthanpress.com). I’ve also posted a short video clip from the play, which runs through June 4. I strongly urge Burroughs fans in the Minneapolis area to check it out. And drop me a line about the podcast, if you’re a Burroughs fan. I always like to hear from other fans. (Especially creative types like Dopers who might want to contribute bits.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/47 "2006-05-23T14:37:03Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > This site – [ERBzine 1351: Barsoom Guide](http://www.erbzine.com/mag13/1351.html) – includes galleries of various artists’ conceptions of the Barsoomians. And on the same site, you can read most of the Barsoom novels for free! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/48 "2006-05-23T15:11:38Z")
I always considered the Red Martian Princess outfits to be much like the Princess Leia slavegirl outfit. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/49 "2006-05-23T16:05:35Z")
have the copyrights on burrough’s martian novels expired? If so, Hollywood will hack them to death. i recall reading these novels years ago-and they are just so old fashioned-the descriptions of how the barsoomians view the earth (Cosoom)? is pretty stupid. Also, the mad brain transplant surgeon 9ras Thavas0 was a pretty interesting concept-though quite impossible. In any event, yes, make those martain gals clothed as skimpily as possible! ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/50 "2006-05-23T16:35:54Z")
I’d prefer they make a faithful effort at John Norman’s Gor Series. Now, that would be cool. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/51 "2006-05-23T17:35:58Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > I have to say, I’ve wondered the same thing about a screen adaptation that will never ever happen: Piers Anthony’s “apprentica adept” books. > > Frankly, I’m not sure in that case it it’d even be a good thing to be so faithful to the books. The author had a lot of worthwhile stuff he was trying to say, using nakedness as a metaphor and so on, but it’s one thing to read about the characters being naked and another to see them - western society has plenty of hangups of its own about nudity that it’d be impossible to break them out of. Slap the proton serfs in some kind of futuristic, silvery-jumpsuit type uniforms and have done with the whole mess is my advice - and then start figuring out who you can cast as Sheen and how much money you can spend on the FX. 😃 Oh, and getting the script adaptation right too, of course, that’s very important. > Not sure if any of the same stuff applies to ‘princess of mars’, but I felt like I had to share. Piers always did have a fondness for nudity in his stories. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/52 "2006-05-23T20:30:51Z")
Rasoom – Mercury Cosoom – Venus Jasoom – Earth Barsoom - Mars Sasoom – Jupiter ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/53 "2006-05-23T20:55:47Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Apparently nobody needs to wear shoes, the surface of Mars being almost entirely covered with spongy moss. In, I think, Thuvia Maid Of Mars, a very crucial plot point depends on a male character wearing sandals. Re The OP I’d be fine with Princess Leai bikinis on the women. After all, even if they don’t need to wear clothes ornamentation shows wealth and social status. Put the men in loincloths, boots, bracers, and maybe the occasional cape. Re Copyright Last time I checked, they were expired. I have no idea if any of the terms or characters is still trademaked. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/54 "2006-05-23T21:43:51Z")
I’d just like to say that I will have the guts to _view_ the film in the nude, as Burroughs intended. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/55 "2006-05-23T22:36:14Z")
> [@simster](#): > > I’d prefer they make a faithful effort at John Norman’s Gor Series. > > Now, that would be cool. I concur. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/56 "2006-05-24T17:47:17Z")
What was the climate of mars?barsoom supposed to be like? I seem to recall that there were cold areas 9the poles). So were the canals semi-tropical waterways? in that case, the Pricess leia outfits should be appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604/57 "2006-05-24T18:39:55Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > What was the climate of mars?barsoom supposed to be like? I seem to recall that there were cold areas 9the poles). So were the canals semi-tropical waterways? in that case, the Pricess leia outfits should be appropriate. Discounting the facts that Mars is significantly further away from the sun than Earth, and has less atmosphere to trap the heat, Burroughs assumed it is warm and mild everywhere but the poles. And there are no high winds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-have-the-guts-to-film-princess-of-mars-all-nude-as-burroughs-intended/357604.md?page=2)