Porn, 1950

At the flea market the other day, I was lucky enough to scarf up The Sins of Allie-May, Plaything of Men, a "brand new uncensored exotic novel" published in 1950. As it turns out, the jacket copy is much more salacious than anything to be found inside. "The devil's daughter...that's what they called luscious Allie May - and they were right!" the inside cover proclaims. "A slave of her own unquenchable passion, Allie dragged down her many lovers until they, too, wallowed in sin with the gorgeous she-devil! A story to remember...A woman you will never forget!"

Here's the opening paragraph: "The trouble started soon after Allie May sauntered into the bar, her eyes full of challenge, her provocative figure flaunting unmistakable invitation. The bartender sensed it instinctively, and prepared himself for the worst, though for a second or two he dwelt on a picture of seduction that sent his head spinning." The prose purples from there. Needless to say, Allie May is continuously degraded and punished for her wanton ways, but not before those ways are described in florid detail.

This is but one title in a series of "exciting, exotic tales of love," and I'm sorry I can't read each and every one of the following. Contemporary porn is just so pedestrian in comparison:

Divorce Bait
Confessions of a Party Wife
Shakedown Dame
Strange Mistress
Shamed!
Unfaithful!
Respectable Harlot
Lure for Love
Wicked!
Careless!
Naughty Virgin
Ecstasy!
Tempted!
Love Cheat!
Wolf Trap Blonde
Frenchy!
Midnight Sinner
Bad Woman