Movies Way Back When: An X-rated film named Purity

By Betsy J. Green

Visitors were not allowed on the set while this movie was being filmed.

This “Flying A” movie was released on July 23, 1916. It was filmed at several estates in Montecito. Audrey Munson, the star of this movie, was famous for posing au naturel for sculptors, so you can guess what happens in this film. To give the appearance that this is an “art” film and not porn, the movie begins with a scene from Greek mythology showing Pandora opening a box and letting evil escape into the world. This is also an excuse for actresses to traipse around in flimsy costumes that you know their mothers would disapprove of.

One reviewer warned theaters: “Let it be said at the start, that Miss Munson appears several times in the picture unhampered by garments of any sort whatsoever, and there is scene upon scene in which she walks about thinly and diaphanously clad . . . however beautiful and non-salacious such scenes run, their chief spectators will be curiosity seekers.” – Motion Picture News, August 5, 1916