How Hedy Lamarr Became the First On-Screen Vixen

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At 18 years old and only three years into her film career, Hedy Lamarr made history in the starring role of Eva Hermann in the 1933 Czech movie Ecstasy (originally Extase). If the title is any indication, the romantic drama flaunts a passion-filled plot including a nude appearance from Lamarr, making the actress, who’s birthday would have been this week, the first to bare all in a feature film. Gustav Machatý, the director of Ecstasy, pushed the boundaries even further beyond the censorship standards of the time, filming Lamarr (then known by her maiden name Hedy Kiesler) and her co-star Aribert Mog in one of cinema’s first sex scenes. The movie caused quite a stir among audiences, critics, and even protest from Lamarr herself.

When Lamarr signed on for the role, the young actress rushed through her contract and did not realize that she would have to strip down for the film. While the nude scene is innocent enough–her character leaves her clothes on her horse while she swims naked and must chase after it–Lamarr initially threatened to quit. The director coerced her participation by telling her that she would have to pay for the scenes already filmed, and that long shots would be used so her intimate parts wouldn’t be visible. The latter was a fib, and Lamarr was outraged at the movie’s preview when the scene included a number of close-ups of her exposed body.

The scene furthers the plot, however, as it brings Aribert Mog’s character, Adam, into the equation. He helps Lamarr’s Eva catch her runaway horse, and thanks to a poorly timed twisted ankle she ends up falling for him. The young woman who had recently removed herself from a loveless marriage becomes restless for Adam and the pair ultimately spend the night together. Although the intimate clip doesn’t show more than the actors’ faces, their embrace was certainly enough to make the audience blush. The 80-year-old scene puts modern movies to shame as it shows Eva achieving orgasm, making its progressive portrayal of sex ahead of its years.

The movie naturally received objection from a number of cinemas because of censorship problems, and was condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency in America, keeping it from being released in the U.S. until 1940. Even her husband sought to buy every copy of the movie he could find.

While Lamarr was initially upset over the film and worried that it may have ruined her career, the notoriety of Ecstasy launched her success. Her beauty and talent was undeniable, and Louis B. Mayer of MGM Studios signed her on the condition that she change her name (she chose Lamarr in homage to the silent film actress Barabara La Marr) and only pursue virtuous roles in Hollywood. She was a hit and became a key figure in classic cinema, starring in over 20 pictures. Beyond becoming a pioneer for women in film, Lamarr was a notable inventor who contributed to radio technology in the 1940s and developed spread-spectrum techniques that were a precursor to WiFi.


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