Thursday, July 11, 2024

Le Serveur

Yes, the rumors are true: Ridley Scott started out directing TV commercials for Dim Lingerie in 1977. Lasting barely 40 seconds from start to finish, "Le Serveur" became one of the most influential campaigns in advertising history due to its exquisite visuals, subtle lighting and understated sense of humor. Viewed in retrospect, we can infer the reason behind Sigourney Weaver's gratuitous striptease at the end of Alien two years later.

File:Dim1977A.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzDXhcvZtYU

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Harenchi Gakuen

Based on Go Nagai's ground-breaking comic strip, Harenchi Gakuen incorporated a great deal of panchira (panty shots) and sukarto meguri (skirt flipping), with most of the lead actresses revealing their underwear at one point or another. The film even concluded with a Benny Hill-style chase scene, complete with attractive young starlets losing their clothes to a runaway bus:
 

 
 
 
Spring is in the air

More chaos ensues when the girls chase after the driver, demanding the return of their clothing (along with their dignity, one supposes), ably assisted by the local constable and various other aggrieved parties:

 
 
Insert "Yakety Sax" theme here.

According to Wikipedia and other sources, the original manga was highly controversial for its time (mainly due to its breaking of innumerable social taboos), though by 1970, the furor seemed to have died down to a dull roar. The film was successful enough to warrant three sequels, all of which employed the same basic formula.