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Scandinavian erotica

Related: European erotica - erotica - Bodil Jensen - Kärlekens språk - Scandinavia - Scandinavian pornography - Private Magazine

Love, Swedish Style (USA, 1972) - Maurice Smith

Note that this magazine dubs itself a film review magazine.

Introduction

Scandinavia is important in the history of Western 20th century erotica and pornography, not so much for its production, but because it set a legal precedent as the first region to legalize written and pictorial erotica.

An obscenity trial of an unexpurgated edition of Fanny Hill in Denmark in 1964 led to the conclusion that pornography was not harmful to adult readers. Pornography was subsequently decriminalized, first in Denmark, the rest of Scandinavia following suit.

This decision influenced obscenity and pornography laws in the United States, because some of the Danish findings (most prominently the work of Dr.Berl Kutchinsky) were republished in the first Presidential Report on Obscenity and Pornogarphy, the so-called Lockhart report.

A second result of the decriminalization was that a number of pornographic and erotic publishers such as Private Magazine set up business in Scandinavia.

Later, Caballero Control Corporation (CCC) appropriated the name "Swedish Erotica" and recorded a string of 8mm hardcore loops. Cabellero also used the name "Swedish Erotica" for their pornmagazine, which they subtitled a film review magazine. [Oct 2005]

The Danish experiment

In 1969 Denmark lifted all restrictions on pornography, and sex crimes declined. For example, between 1965 and 1982 sex crimes against children went from 30 per 100,000 to about 5 per 100,000. Similar evidence was found for rape rates.

There can be no doubt that the illusion of success which has created an aura around the 'Danish Experiment' has had a profound effect upon the thinking and attitudes, not only of commentators and individuals, but on governments across the free world. I myself found - to my amazement and dismay - during a visit to the Home Office in 1975, that all considerations of pornography and its possible effects upon society had stopped short in 1969 following the publication of Dr Berl Kutchinsky's trivial, now outdated, research into the effect of the repeal of many of the obscenity laws in Denmark. Mary Whitehouse, Whatever happened to sex? , 1977?

The Danish Situation
by Dr Berl Kutchinsky, 1970

Before the mid-1960s, there was nothing particular about Denmark in relation to pornography. Denmark had absolutely no history as a pornography producing or consuming nation. Danish laws against pornography were very similar to those of other European countries. Both in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries books and pieces of art were prosecuted and convicted in Denmark as in other countries, which by later standards would seem perfectly innocent. In as late as 1959 an imported English version of the famous pornographic classic, Cleland's Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, was convicted.

During the 1960s, however, public attitudes began to change, and in 1964 an unexpurgated Danish translation of the Memoirs, under the title of Fanny Hill, was published for the first time, prosecuted and acquitted first by the High Court and, in 1965, by the Supreme Court. Since Fanny Hill, if anything, pornographic in the true sense of his word, that is, extremely explicit and graphic in its erotic descriptions, this meant that the penal law banning pornographic literature had become obsolete. The Minister of Justice asked the Permanent Criminal Law Committee to investigate the issue, and this Committee, after consulting criminologists, psychologists, educators and psychiatrists presented a report in 1966 which recommended decriminalisation of pornographic writings. The point made by the Criminal Law Committee was that public attitudes towards moral legislation had changed so that it was no longer reasonable for the state to interfere with what people should be allowed to publish or read, as long as no clear harm was done. As far as harm is concerned, it was generally agreed by the experts that all available evidence pointed in the direction of pornography not being directly harmful to individuals. Particularly influential was the statement of the Medico-Legal Council, a distinguished body of leading physicians, which concluded:

On the basis of general psychiatric and child psychiatric experience it cannot be assumed that the sexual orientation, the psychological development or attitudes toward sexual life and sexual-ethical norms in adults or in children can be influenced in a harmful direction through . . . pornographic literature, pictures or films. Whether these media may have a beneficial influence on a group of inhibited and sexually shy neurotic personalities is doubtful, but can hardly be totally excluded. What has been said here, holds true no matter whether the pornographic publications, pictures, etc. describe normal or perverse sexual relations (Penal Law Committee 1966, p. 80).

The Penal Law Committee's proposal was adopted by the Danish Parliament in 1967 by 159 votes to thirteen. During the debate in Parliament on this amendment, there was a widespread inclination to extend the repeal to also include obscene pictures, objects, and performances, 'if experiences with the present amendment turned out to be as favourable as expected'. The expected result was mainly a waning of interest in such material when such an interest was no longer spurred by the illegality. By 1969, politicians had become convinced that a favourable effect had in fact occurred, and without once again asking the Penal Law Committee's advice, the decriminalisation of pictorial pornography was adopted in Parliament by 125 votes to twenty-five.

Section 234 of the Danish Criminal Code (1969), reads whoever 'sells indecent pictures or objects to a person under 16 years of age' is to be punished by a fine. Section 235 (1980) has a special provision concerning the reproduction and sale of child pornography, that is, sexually explicit photographs of persons who appear to be under 15 years (the taking of such pictures was always a criminal offence). This means that, in Denmark, any kind of pornography, except child pornography, can be produced and sold, or shown in cinemas, to persons who are 16 years or older. It does not mean that there can be pornography everywhere; thus, police regulations forbid the public display of pornography, for instance in porn shop windows, or to send or hand out pornography to someone who has not asked for it.

As to legalisation of pornography, Sweden followed suit in 1970, and the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) in 1973. West Germany, however, kept certain provisions regarding violent pornography and recently Sweden also introduced such restrictions. Today, Denmark seems to be the only country which does not have any legal restraints on sadomasochistic pornography. This does not mean that it is not available elsewhere. The situation today seems to be that wherever hard-core pornography is easily available, sadomasochistic material is available also. --Dr Berl Kutchinsky for the 1970 Lockhart Commission

First International Exhibition of Erotic Art [...]

The Kronhausens' First International Exhibition of Erotic Art took place in public museums in the cities of Lund, Sweden, and Aarhus, Denmark, in 1968.

The 2nd International Exhibition of Erotic Art [...]

The 2nd international exhibition of erotic art : [Liljevalchs konsthall, Stockholm, April 2 - May 18, 1969

Swedish erotica

In the early 70's Caballero was a small start-up company, specializing in filming and distributing hardcore adult "stag" movies. It was an unenlightened era, with uncontrolled censorship permanently closing most adult businesses. Caballero, however, persevered, grew, and prospered. But it really became an overnight sensation when they decided to produce a new 8mm film series called "SWEDISH EROTICA". This new series showcased the most exciting and salacious stars of that time.

John Holmes, Seka, Aunt Peg, Desiree Cousteau, Serena, and countless others performed their most erotic scenes for these early subtitled home movies. But with the advent of video and the personal VCR, Caballero's success was meteoric. Hundreds of scenes were shot and released to a grateful world of aroused viewers and serious collectors. --http://www.toyboxxx.com/products/216674.htm [Dec 2005]

John Holmes
Despite his desire for anonymity, Holmes' penis was large enough that distribution houses for 8mm loops could not resist using Holmes' anatomical anomaly as a marketing gimmick. So, while the ad copy for his first few dozen loops rarely named him, those that did usually gave him a name that was nowhere near what his real first name was. In fact, one early "Swedish Erotica" brochure from 1973 has five Holmes loops listed, each of which has a different name referring to Holmes even though it is obvious from his facial features and the size of his penis that "Fred", "Dave", "Rudy", "Big Dick" and "Stan" are all the same person. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Holmes_%28actor%29 [Dec 2005]

Swedish Erotica collection, 1960s-70s at the Kinsey institute
1700 8mm and super 8 short commercially produced films for the home collector; from such distributors as Swedish Erotica, Danish Films International, Burning Films, Diamond Collection and more. --http://www.indiana.edu/~kinsey/library/film-contents.html [Dec 2005]

Films distributed by Caballero Control Corporation (CCC)
1. Swedish Erotica 77 (1995) ... Distributor 2. Swedish Erotica 83 (1995) (V) ... Distributor 3. Amazing Tails 4 (1990) ... Distributor (1990) (worldwide) (all media) 4. Kiss My Grits (1990) ... Distributor (1990) (worldwide) (video) 5. The Love Nest (1990) ... Distributor (1990) (USA) (VHS) 6. Swedish Erotica Featurettes 2 (1989) ... Distributor (1989) (worldwide) (video) 7. X Dreams (1989) ... Distributor 8. The Nicole Stanton Story (1988) (V) ... Distributor (1988) (USA) (theatrical) 9. Seka (1988) (V) ... Distributor 10. Traci, I Love You (1987) (V) ... Distributor 11. The Adultress (1987) ... Distributor 12. The Bitches of Westwood (1987) ... Distributor 13. Careful, He May Be Watching (1987) ... Distributor (1987) (USA) (theatrical) 14. Passionate Heiress (1987) ... Distributor 15. Swedish Erotica 84 (1987) ... Distributor 16. Swedish Erotica 85 (1987) ... Distributor 17. Beverly Hills Cox (1986) ... Distributor (1986) (USA) (theatrical) 18. Swedish Erotica 71 (1986) ... Distributor 19. Swedish Erotica 72 (1986) ... Distributor 20. Swedish Erotica 73 (1986) ... Distributor 21. Swedish Erotica 74 (1986) ... Distributor 22. Swedish Erotica 75 (1986) ... Distributor 23. Swedish Erotica 76 (1986) ... Distributor 24. Swedish Erotica 78 (1986) ... Distributor 25. Swedish Erotica 79 (1986) ... Distributor 26. Swedish Erotica 80 (1986) ... Distributor 27. Swedish Erotica 81 (1986) ... Distributor 28. Swedish Erotica 82 (1986) ... Distributor 29. Suzie Superstar II (1985) ... Distributor 30. The Backdoor Club (1985) ... Distributor (1985) (USA) (VHS) 31. A Coming of Angels, the Sequel (1985) ... Distributor 32. Getting Personal (1985) (V) ... Distributor (1985) (USA) (theatrical) 33. Letters of Love (1985) ... Distributor 34. Ribald Tales of Canterbury (1985) ... Distributor 35. Showdown (1985) ... Distributor 36. Some Kind of Woman (1985) ... Distributor 37. Swedish Erotica 56 (1985) ... Distributor 38. Swedish Erotica 57 (1985) ... Distributor 39. Swedish Erotica 58 (1985) ... Distributor 40. Swedish Erotica 59 (1985) ... Distributor 41. Swedish Erotica 60 (1985) ... Distributor 42. Swedish Erotica 61 (1985) ... Distributor 43. Swedish Erotica 62 (1985) ... Distributor (1985) (USA) (theatrical) 44. Swedish Erotica 63 (1985) ... Distributor 45. Swedish Erotica 64 (1985) ... Distributor 46. Swedish Erotica 65 (1985) ... Distributor 47. Swedish Erotica 66 (1985) ... Distributor 48. Swedish Erotica 67 (1985) ... Distributor 49. Swedish Erotica 68 (1985) ... Distributor 50. Swedish Erotica 69 (1985) ... Distributor 51. Swedish Erotica 70 (1985) ... Distributor 52. With Love, Annette (1985) ... Distributor 53. Working Girls (1985) ... Distributor (video) 54. Suze's Centerfolds 9 (1984) ... Distributor 55. Suze's Centerfolds 8 (1984) ... Distributor 56. Collection 5 (1984) (V) ... Distributor 57. Girls That Love Girls (1984) ... Distributor (USA) (video) 58. L'Amour (1984) ... Distributor (1984) (USA) (theatrical) 59. Stiff Competition (1984) ... Distributor 60. Swedish Erotica 54 (1984) ... Distributor 61. Swedish Erotica 55 (1984) ... Distributor 62. Up Up and Away (1984) ... Distributor (USA) 63. Suze's Centerfolds 7 (1983) ... Distributor 64. Between Lovers (1983) ... Distributor (1983) (USA) (theatrical) 65. Glitter (1983) ... Distributor (1983) (USA) (theatrical) 66. Golden Girls 12 (1983) (V) ... Distributor 67. It's Called Murder, Baby (1983) ... Distributor (1984) (USA) (VHS) 68. Lady Lust (1983) ... Distributor 69. Let's Talk Sex (1983) ... Distributor 70. Moments of Love (1983) ... Distributor 71. Nasty Nurses (1983) ... Distributor 72. Private Teacher (1983) ... Distributor (1983) (USA) (theatrical) 73. Sorority Sweethearts (1983) ... Distributor (1983) (USA) (theatrical) 74. Swedish Erotica 45 (1983) ... Distributor 75. Swedish Erotica 46 (1983) ... Distributor 76. Swedish Erotica 47 (1983) ... Distributor 77. Swedish Erotica 48 (1983) ... Distributor (1983) (USA) (theatrical) 78. Swedish Erotica 49 (1983) ... Distributor 79. Swedish Erotica 50 (1983) ... Distributor 80. Swedish Erotica 51 (1983) ... Distributor 81. Swedish Erotica 52 (1983) ... Distributor 82. Swedish Erotica 53 (1983) ... Distributor (1983) (USA) (theatrical) 83. Virginia (1983) ... Distributor (1983) (USA) (theatrical) 84. Suze's Centerfolds 5 (1982) ... Distributor 85. Inspirations (1982) ... Distributor (1982) (USA) (theatrical) 86. Mandy's Executive Sweet (1982) ... Distributor 87. The Playgirl (1982) ... Distributor 88. Satisfactions (1982) ... Distributor 89. Society Affairs (1982) ... Distributor (1982) (USA) (theatrical) 90. Swedish Erotica 42 (1982) ... Distributor (1982) (USA) (theatrical) 91. Swedish Erotica 43 (1982) ... Distributor 92. Swedish Erotica 44 (1982) ... Distributor 93. Aunt Peg Goes Hollywood (1981) ... Distributor (USA) (video) 94. Suze's Centerfolds 6 (1981) ... Distributor 95. 8 to 4 (1981) ... Distributor (1981) (USA) (theatrical) 96. American Desire (1981) ... Distributor (1981) (USA) (theatrical) 97. Erotic Interlude (1981) ... Distributor 98. Extreme Close Up (1981) ... Distributor 99. Extremes (1981) ... Distributor 100. French Finishing School (1981) ... Distributor 101. Honeysuckle Rose (1981) ... Distributor 102. Lips (1981) ... Distributor 103. Love Dreams (1981) ... Distributor 104. Nightdreams (1981) ... Distributor 105. Pandora's Mirror (1981) ... Distributor (1981) (USA) (theatrical) 106. Seka's Fantasies (1981) ... Distributor 107. Skintight (1981) ... Distributor (1981) (USA) (theatrical) 108. Suze's Centerfolds 3 (1981) ... Distributor 109. Suze's Centerfolds 4 (1981) ... Distributor 110. Swedish Erotica 13 (1981) ... Distributor 111. Swedish Erotica 14 (1981) ... Distributor 112. Swedish Erotica 15 (1981) ... Distributor 113. Swedish Erotica 16 (1981) ... Distributor 114. Swedish Erotica 17 (1981) ... Distributor 115. Swedish Erotica 18 (1981) ... Distributor 116. Swedish Erotica 19 (1981) ... Distributor 117. Swedish Erotica 20 (1981) ... Distributor 118. Swedish Erotica 21 (1981) ... Distributor 119. Swedish Erotica 2 (1981) ... Distributor 120. Swedish Erotica 22 (1981) ... Distributor 121. Swedish Erotica 23 (1981) ... Distributor 122. Swedish Erotica 24 (1981) ... Distributor 123. Swedish Erotica 25 (1981) ... Distributor 124. Swedish Erotica 26 (1981) ... Distributor 125. Swedish Erotica 27 (1981) ... Distributor 126. Swedish Erotica 28 (1981) ... Distributor 127. Swedish Erotica 29 (1981) ... Distributor 128. Swedish Erotica 30 (1981) ... Distributor 129. Swedish Erotica 31 (1981) ... Distributor 130. Swedish Erotica 3 (1981) ... Distributor 131. Swedish Erotica 32 (1981) ... Distributor 132. Swedish Erotica 33 (1981) ... Distributor 133. Swedish Erotica 34 (1981) ... Distributor 134. Swedish Erotica 35 (1981) ... Distributor 135. Swedish Erotica 36 (1981) ... Distributor 136. Swedish Erotica 37 (1981) ... Distributor 137. Swedish Erotica 38 (1981) ... Distributor 138. Swedish Erotica 39 (1981) ... Distributor (1981) (USA) (theatrical) 139. Swedish Erotica 40 (1981) ... Distributor 140. Swedish Erotica 41 (1981) ... Distributor 141. Swedish Erotica 4 (1981) ... Distributor 142. Swedish Erotica 5 (1981) ... Distributor 143. Swedish Erotica 6 (1981) ... Distributor 144. Swedish Erotica 7 (1981) ... Distributor 145. Swedish Erotica 8 (1981) ... Distributor 146. Swedish Erotica 9 (1981) ... Distributor 147. Touch Me in the Morning (1981) ... Distributor 148. Trashi (1981) ... Distributor 149. Wicked Sensations (1981) ... Distributor 150. Working for Love (1981) ... Distributor (USA) 151. Coed Fever (1980) ... Distributor 152. Rockin' with Seka, or Seka's Cruise (1980) ... Distributor 153. Afternoon Delights (1980) ... Distributor (video) 154. Ball Game (1980) ... Distributor 155. Born Erect (1980) ... Distributor 156. California Girls (1980) ... Distributor 157. Danish Erotica 1 (1980) ... Distributor 158. Danish Erotica 2 (1980) ... Distributor 159. Dream Lover (1980) ... Distributor 160. Dream Lovers (1980) ... Distributor 161. The Filthy Rich (1980) ... Distributor 162. Flash (1980) ... Distributor 163. Goodbye My Love (1980) ... Distributor 164. Kiss and Tell (1980) ... Distributor 165. Ladies Night (1980) ... Distributor 166. Suze's Centerfolds 1 (1980) ... Distributor 167. Suze's Centerfolds 2 (1980) ... Distributor 168. Urban Cowgirls (1980) ... Distributor 169. Bangkok Connection (1979) ... Distributor 170. Laura's Desires (1979) ... Distributor 171. Mystique (1979) ... Distributor 172. One Way at a Time (1979) ... Distributor 173. Sissy's Hot Summer (1979) ... Distributor 174. Sweet Savage (1979) ... Distributor 175. Women in Love (1979) ... Distributor (video) 176. Beichte der Josefine Mutzenbacher, Die (1978) ... Distributor 177. Sex Roulette (1978) ... Distributor 178. The China Cat (1978) ... Distributor 179. The Girls of Mr. X (1978) ... Distributor 180. Happy Holiday (1978) ... Distributor 181. Desires Within Young Girls (1977) ... Distributor (1977) (USA) (theatrical) 182. Parties fines (1977) ... Distributor 183. Hot Sisters (1975) ... Distributor --http://www.imdb.com/company/co0108296/ [Dec 2005]

Ed Wood
Ed also filmed several of the early Swedish Erotica loops for Caballero. Loops include Massage Parlour, Girl Friday and The Jailer. Ed also wrote and directed a series of hardcore 20 minutes loops called Sex Education Correspondence School, released in 1975. --http://www.groupsrv.com/movies/viewtopic.php?t=681 [Dec 2005]

See also: Ed Wood - 8mm - porn film

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