Pubic Wars
Encyclopedia
Pubic Wars, a pun
on the Punic Wars
, is the name given to the rivalry between the pornographic magazine
s Playboy
and Penthouse
during the 1960s and 1970s. Each magazine strove to show just a little bit more than the other, without getting too crude. The term was coined by Playboy owner Hugh Hefner
. In 1950s and 60s America it was generally agreed that nude photographs were not pornographic
unless they showed pubic hair
or, even worse, genitals. "Respectable" photography was careful to come close to, but not cross over, this line. Consequently the depiction of pubic hair was de-facto forbidden in U.S. pornographic magazines.
, "We began to show pubic hair, which was a big breakthrough."
In order to retain its market share Playboy followed suit, risking obscenity charges, and launching the "Pubic Wars". Playboy started showing wisps of pubic hair about nine months after Penthouse (June 1970). As competition between the two magazines escalated, their photo shoots became increasingly explicit. Playboy, however, had actually first showed a very slight glimpse of any pubic hair on Melodye Prentiss
' centerfold (Miss July 1968), some 15 years after the magazine's introduction. With Playmates it was usually the case that the pubic area would be obscured by an item of clothing, a leg, or a piece of furniture. The first appearance of real pubic hair in Playboy actually occurred in August 1969 in a pictorial featuring dancer/actress Paula Kelly
. A few more glimpses of pubic hair appeared in some later pictorials and centerfolds, but it was not until January 1971 when Liv Lindeland
showed clearly visible pubic hair in her pictorial. The first Playmate to clearly have the first full frontal nude centerfold was Miss January 1972, Marilyn Cole
. Both went on to become Playmate of the Year, respectively 1972 and 1973. When Hustler
was launched in 1974, it outdid both Playboy and Penthouse in explicitness by showing more graphic photos of the female sex organs.
Eventually, the two magazines would move their content in opposite directions. Playboy positioned itself as the less explicit softcore
alternative to be "read for the articles". Penthouse gravitated towards raunchier images, ultimately arriving at hardcore pornography
and photographs of women urinating, in the mid 1990s. Under new ownership since 2004, Penthouse began to steer toward a more softcore direction as well.
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
on the Punic Wars
Punic Wars
The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 B.C.E. to 146 B.C.E. At the time, they were probably the largest wars that had ever taken place...
, is the name given to the rivalry between the pornographic magazine
Pornographic magazine
Pornographic magazines, sometimes known as adult magazines, sex magazines or top-shelf magazines are pornographic magazines that contain content of a sexual nature. Adult magazines are mainly aimed towards men, and in some parts of the world, many men's first sight of a naked woman has been in an...
s Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
and Penthouse
Penthouse (magazine)
Penthouse, a men's magazine founded by Bob Guccione, combines urban lifestyle articles and softcore pornographic pictorials that, in the 1990s, evolved into hardcore. Penthouse is owned by FriendFinder Network. formerly known as General Media, Inc. whose parent company was Penthouse International...
during the 1960s and 1970s. Each magazine strove to show just a little bit more than the other, without getting too crude. The term was coined by Playboy owner Hugh Hefner
Hugh Hefner
Hugh Marston "Hef" Hefner is an American magazine publisher, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises.-Early life:...
. In 1950s and 60s America it was generally agreed that nude photographs were not pornographic
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
unless they showed pubic hair
Pubic hair
Pubic hair is hair in the frontal genital area, the crotch, and sometimes at the top of the inside of the legs; these areas form the pubic region....
or, even worse, genitals. "Respectable" photography was careful to come close to, but not cross over, this line. Consequently the depiction of pubic hair was de-facto forbidden in U.S. pornographic magazines.
History
Penthouse originated in 1965 in Britain and was initially distributed in Europe. In September 1969 it was launched in the U.S., bringing new competition to Playboy. Due to more liberal European attitudes to nudity Penthouse was already displaying pubic hair at the time of its U.S. launch. According to the magazine's owner Bob GuccioneBob Guccione
Bob Guccione was the founder and publisher of the adult magazine Penthouse. He resigned from his publisher position in November 2003.-Early life:...
, "We began to show pubic hair, which was a big breakthrough."
In order to retain its market share Playboy followed suit, risking obscenity charges, and launching the "Pubic Wars". Playboy started showing wisps of pubic hair about nine months after Penthouse (June 1970). As competition between the two magazines escalated, their photo shoots became increasingly explicit. Playboy, however, had actually first showed a very slight glimpse of any pubic hair on Melodye Prentiss
Melodye Prentiss
Melodye Prentiss was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its July 1968 issue. Her centerfold was photographed by Pompeo Posar....
' centerfold (Miss July 1968), some 15 years after the magazine's introduction. With Playmates it was usually the case that the pubic area would be obscured by an item of clothing, a leg, or a piece of furniture. The first appearance of real pubic hair in Playboy actually occurred in August 1969 in a pictorial featuring dancer/actress Paula Kelly
Paula Kelly (actress/dancer)
Paula Kelly is a dancer and actress in motion pictures, television and theatre.-Early life and career:...
. A few more glimpses of pubic hair appeared in some later pictorials and centerfolds, but it was not until January 1971 when Liv Lindeland
Liv Lindeland
Liv Lindeland is a Norwegian model and actress. She was chosen as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month in January 1971 and as the Playmate of the Year for 1972. She became the first Playmate of the Month ever to show clearly visible pubic hair.Her original pictorial was photographed by Alexas...
showed clearly visible pubic hair in her pictorial. The first Playmate to clearly have the first full frontal nude centerfold was Miss January 1972, Marilyn Cole
Marilyn Cole
Marilyn Cole was Playboy magazine's January 1972 Playmate of the Month. She was the magazines's first full-frontal nude centerfold, although her pubic hair was partly covered by the shadow cast from the book in her hand, so the first clearly full-frontally nude Playmate of the Month was Bonnie...
. Both went on to become Playmate of the Year, respectively 1972 and 1973. When Hustler
Hustler
Hustler is a monthly pornographic magazine aimed at men and published in the United States. It was first published in 1974 by Larry Flynt. It was a step forward from the Hustler Newsletter which was cheap advertising for his strip club businesses at the time. The magazine grew from a shaky start to...
was launched in 1974, it outdid both Playboy and Penthouse in explicitness by showing more graphic photos of the female sex organs.
Eventually, the two magazines would move their content in opposite directions. Playboy positioned itself as the less explicit softcore
Softcore
Softcore pornography is a form of filmic or photographic pornography or erotica that is less sexually explicit than hardcore pornography. It is intended to tickle and arouse men and women. Softcore pornography depicts nude and semi-nude performers engaging in casual social nudity or non-graphic...
alternative to be "read for the articles". Penthouse gravitated towards raunchier images, ultimately arriving at hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography is a form of pornography that features explicit sexual acts. The term was coined in the second half of the 20th century to distinguish it from softcore pornography. It usually takes the form of photographs, often displayed in magazines or on the Internet, or films. It can also...
and photographs of women urinating, in the mid 1990s. Under new ownership since 2004, Penthouse began to steer toward a more softcore direction as well.
Further reading
- "From 'Penthouse' to penury?", The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
(London), August 14, 2003, by Terry Kirby