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Hef's Sex Education
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A new documentary explores Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's little-known history as an early gay-rights pioneer. Plus, the night he was fixed up with Gloria Steinem.
At 83, Hugh Hefner's legacy is pretty much bulletproof. His Bunnies have their own hit TV series; the Playboy Mansion remains a celebrity hop-stop. Hefner's life is, in many ways, a fantasy blueprint for many an American male: He started a small business (Playboy magazine) that made him a millionaire, earned him fame, and got him plenty of sex with younger women in the process.
But much as he revels in his status as the godfather of American hedonism, he's concerned he'll be remembered in the wrong light. “One of the things I find really curious is when people say I've lived an amoral life,” says the man who's stood at the center of a thousand Playboy Bunny photo ops. “From my perspective, it's quite the contrary. I feel I've lived a very moral life. I've been on the side of angels from the beginning.”
“Our TV show, The Girls Next Door, is hugely popular, primarily with women. Some women wear the rabbit on clothing with great pride.”
Usually when the words “Hefner” and “angels” appear in the same sentence, there's an accompanying photo spread with a blonde wearing nothing but a pair of feathered wings. A new documentary aims to change that. Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, highlights Hefner's work as a civil-rights activist and an early champion of women and gays.
The challenge of transforming such a large public persona is evident in the film's subtitle, which can't help but prioritize Hefner's sex-icon bona fides (a Playboy first, Activist second.) Filmmaker Brigitte Berman, who won an Oscar for her 1985 documentary Artie Shaw: Time Is All You've Got, focuses on the publisher's battles over censorship, segregation, abortion, and contraception. She says she was inspired to make the film after attending Hefner's 80th birthday party at the Playboy Mansion. “I got to know Hef because of his love for jazz,” she says. “When people think of him, they think of the babes, the boobs, the blondes. There's another side to him, one I think is too often overlooked.”
Berman sent a treatment to Hefner, who granted her full access to his personal archives without asking for any right to interfere with the filmmaking process. “This film has less to do with the lifestyle and more to do with my commitment to social change,” he says.
“I graduated from the University of Illinois in 1948, and there were the beginnings of racial integration. There were student protests against restaurants and movie theaters that had segregation, and I took part in some of those protests.” When Hefner launched his chain of Playboy nightclubs, two of the franchises in the South were segregated. At his own expense, Hefner bought back the franchises and integrated them.
He commissioned articles for Playboy from writers who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era, including screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, one of the infamous “Hollywood Ten.” “I received a letter from Ronald Reagan at that time, requesting that I stop using writers who'd been identified by HUAC [House Un-American Activities Committee],” he says. His late-'50s TV variety show, Playboy's Penthouse, featured acts “that couldn't get on network television because they'd been blacklisted.”
So blacks and suspected Communists—sure. But what of the women? Hefner has long asserted that Playboy and feminism are not only compatible, but complementary—"I was a feminist before there was such a thing as feminism,” he told Esquire in 2002—and for just as long, women have disagreed. Berman got feminist writer Susan Brownmiller to discuss her objections to Hefner's work, but his most famous critic, Gloria Steinem, declined several requests to appear in the film, citing an overloaded schedule. (Steinem also declined, through a publicist, to comment for this article.)
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
BellaFurie
This is not a journalism, but a sloppily recycled press release for the film, as evidenced by the "journalist" being a programmer for the film's debut.
Hefner made his fortune on the basis of a woman's role being entertainment for men, however else he wishes to control his "heritage". That Hefner describes Gloria Steinhem as "this hot secretary who [...] was made to order for me" and that her article on being a Bunny "limited her in terms of who she could have been and what she could have accomplished" is absurd.
And what on earth is meant by "ascetic 1955"?
deegeezee
i can't speak for the author, but i'd imagine "ascetic 1955" refers to a culture that valued abstention (or at least that perception).
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n--Y--charles116prsteve11
Anyone who tries to herald Hugh Hefner in any other light than as the chauvinistic, immoral slob that he is refuses to see things the way they are. He's shameless in his immorality and goes at it with 4 girlfriends at a time and pretends that the rules don't apply to him. He's taken advantage of endless numbers of young women.
Jolie-ange-3
I don't really see why his sexual habits bother you so much. His having four girlfriends at a time is seen as a sin in your eyes, but Mormon men have been marrying multiple women for years, and its considered to be religous. At least Hefner's girls are getting something out of their "immoral" relationship. To be quite honest I would rather be married to hef and get fame and fortune than to be married to some mormon who only wants me to clean his house and give him fifteen children. All the girls who chose to be in a relationship with him are treated well and seem happy to me. I am young as I'm guessing prsteve11 you are not, so you must not know how things are these days. Threesomes and things like that are the norm in a lot of relationships. I for one have not done it, but I don't look down my nose at those who do. Sex is what it is....and its not taken too seriously anymore. And to all of you who are casting judgement on hef I ask that you look at your own lives first, and when one of you can find that you have lived a life free of any sin, then you can judge others for what they do.
BellaFurie
You don't really believe that he has "four girlfriends at a time", do you? And do you think they are really "in a relationship" with him, beyond calling room service at the Playboy Mansion and trotting out for photo ops?
soitgoesjen
Exactly. Is he really so blinded as to think that all the women (some of whom aren't even of legal drinking age) are PROUD to be in his magazine? And if It's so much about "sexual liberation" and expression, what happened to the male bunnies?
and to cryngndmhm:
Sure, some of the women in those magazines may have been successful later in life, but what about the ones who are ashamed of what they've done? I don't quite understand how you can say that they know what they are doing, and then in the next breath say that if they have been taken advantage of, it's their fault because they don't know any better?
neidboobooo
The women in these mags that say they wish they didnt doit lived in a different time when it was not acceptable, and i am sure people made her feel like the scum of the earth...........but now in our culture is so different, i am the same age as Kendra and that was our goal was to get in playboy it was a wish every girl my age wanted....so yes to answer your question we are pround to ever think to be in his mag.
Brendo4000
prsteve11: Exactly WHOSE rules are you talking about? YOUR rules? Are you trying to force your morals onto other people? The governments rules? A bunch of stranger's rules?
You obviously totally missed the point of what Hefner is all about.
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n--Y--charles116crngndmhm
You prudes need to get off your high horses. You act like these ladies never recived anything in return. Many of the ladies gracing the pages over the years have been very smart and successful. They know what they're doing and to lay all the blame on Hefner says heaps about what you think of these ladies. They're obviously to vacuous to comprehend and therefore being taken advantage of.
AuntBarb
My hats off to Hef. He took a chance giving breaks to the victims of the Hollywood Red Scare, and I'm sure he's got a lengthy FBI file because of it.
Playboy exploits women? I guess it does, but I'm sure the exploited girls aren't crying on their way to the bank. Anyway, I feel everything is a trade off, and Hef and Playboy have done plenty of good to compensate.
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n--Y--charles116pstokstad
To say that HH is some kind of positive force in the sexual arena is kind of like saying that my father is into natural foods because he bought a supplement. Sure, you could probably get your head around the idea that HH was on the sex is a good thing side in comparison to the horrified uptights of the fifties... The Playboy fantasy, hopwever, is one of female service to the male. She is a physical object of desire, not a companion of long standing, an intellectual and emotional partner, a complex partner in uncovering and examining one's own growth and potential. Plus a mother for your mutual offspring, and sometimes the bookkeeper, career guidance counselor, fiscal partner, domestic designer, culinary advisor, sartorial consultant, etc. Is the Playboy bunny anything other than a fantasy of visual and physical richness that will simply disappear in the morning? But there is no such animal. Women are, in general, far too sophisticated for that, since they want relationships with depth, significance, and longevity. The fact is that women are a civilizing and expansionary force in the life of the male... He is a doer and she is more about being (plus doing). This is in general, of course. What she offers him is a bigger perspective, expanded considerations, more possibilities. She gives him a heart. So, our friend HH has done some good, certainly, in promoting the idea of pleasurable sex, but I don't think that there has been a lot in the direction of significant sex, i.e. - sex in a committed, multi-dimensional, emotionally vibrant relationship that has, in many cases, procreative intent. So, we could say that he has championed a seriously trivialized version of what few people noted Mr. Obama mentioning during the Pres. campaign, that "sex is sacred." And by doing so he will never, ever escape the reputation that he has so richly deserved...
Veronicaxy
"The fact is that women are a civilizing and expansionary force in the life of the male... He is a doer and she is more about being (plus doing). This is in general, of course. What she offers him is a bigger perspective, expanded considerations, more possibilities. She gives him a heart."
Good lord. This is exactly the kind of sexism that allows parents to punish sons and daughters for expressing themselves in ways that don't follow these lines.
Men who are raised to look for their heart in a woman has been set up for a great deal of grief, frustration and emptiness. Even if he finds a wonderful woman. Women need their men to be full owners of their own hearts from the beginning.
Women at least in the past have been raised to be the ones that ensure societies rules are maintained, and that sense of having to be the moral guardians of others just makes the ones that take that to heart major pains in the ass to everyone else.
jmckee
Harvey Kurtzman did NOT found "Mad." He was the first editor, then tried to extort Bill Gaines out of the business. He worked for Hefner for years, so Hefner's obviously part of the "Kurtzman cult."
Hefner is just an old sleazebag. The periodic attempts to ennoble him are just pathetic.
newsy1
Guess what Hef? You do not get to decide what your legacy is after your gone, Other people that you have no control over do. Tough luck. http://newsy1.wordpress.com
BrawkSamson
Holy crap!
The comments about this article are ridiculous. Hef was a pioneer during the sexual revolution, not a politically correct yesman to the current culture. That period of time redefined the roles of males and females, the things they could do or say, and their relative position to each other. I recognize that since those wild and heady days have long since passed and the conservative movement has zipped up it's jumpers tighter than ever but maybe conservatives can recognize this: Progressives have ALWAYS won because things HAVE TO CHANGE. It is the nature of time. Conservatives want to conserve, i.e.keep things the same. This is a drive that i understand. The world moves quickly and it seems, at times, difficult to get a steady grip. But consider this: Even Jesus said to "love one another as I have loved you. By this all men shall know you are my disciples." Jesus was a progressive, so progressive in fact he earned the ire and hatred of the entire status quo of his generation. He befriended publicians and sinners, leppars and prostitutes.
I know this is a strange remark to post in regards to a Hugh Hefner article, but it strikes me as relevant. Hef is no Jesus, but at least he isn't a Falwell or a Robertson. Love is for everyone and it's presence isn't politically or religiously aligned. So before you past judgement or cast the first stone, consider your own life and the need for love that is there. In that human condition you will find how we are all brothers and sisters. I applaud anyone who chooses their own way in the face of opposition, who when angry crowds surround them, mock and curse their names, they love still and bravely turn the other cheek.
It makes me sad to think that after 2000 years, we still haven't learned that.
soitgoesjen
I'm a progressive, too. I don't see how you turned this into a conservative vs. liberal argument. It's nothing to do with politics. This is about a man building an empire based on objectifying 51% of the human race, and then being praised for it. And as for defying social standards and all that, I consider Ginsberg and Kerouac pioneers in the 50's...but Hefner? Don't make me laugh.
Billlodge99
All those Females lived High on the Hog wuth Heffner.He paid for what He got and then some.
Kilgore-Trout
Hef is the American success story; started with little and made himself a kingdom. Of course conservatives do not like that on the way he was getting some out in the open and all. They like theirs on the side, along with their family values.
I loved Playboy from the beginning and my parents let me get my subscription at 17yrs old. And believe it or not, I did read it for the articles; if you wanted porn there were plenty of other mags and rags to choose from.
Playboy and Hef were for the rights to both gay and straight sex as well as for freedom of speech.
TK798999
Hugh Hefner is a polygamist. A disgusting sexist pig as well. Hefner has done nothing but contribute to the trashing of women for over 50 years. Shame on him. Hefners expoitation of women for over 50 years has set back women's progress. May he rot in hell for his sins. Don't buy his trash, don't watch his trash. Period.
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n--Y--charles116Dallas
I met Hef many years ago and I LOVE HIM. He has so much was such a gentleman. No one has ever come close to this man. I adore him and watch the girls next door. I am sad the first girls are gone. But I wish them all the best. I was hoping Hef would marry Holly. But I know the age difference was a huge factor and Holly wants to have a family. Hef has been there already and he knows he could not do that to Holly. She and Bridget and Kendry will all have great futures because of this one man. I only wish I had stayed more in touch with him years ago...I wish him many more years of keeping all of us happy. There will never be another Hef not ever...
whoreofbabalon
To say that Hefner has exploited women is to insinuate that women are stupid/innocent/naive enough to be exploited. Believe it or not, many women (and men!) are exhibitionists and actually enjoy taking their clothes off or having sex for money.
I don't care how un-PC it is to say. Many modern feminists are sexist. They try to push their own personal ideals onto all other women, and onto men. Many are also hypocrites. Applauding such acts as the Chippendales while demonizing other similar acts simply because they involve females instead of males taking their clothes off.
The only way any of us, whatever gender, are going to progress is if we all ignore what others tell us to do and decide to just embrace our own personal brand of sexuality. Playboy is a testament to Hefner's brand of sexuality, and many men (and women!) happen to go the same way as he.
Trying to tell women or men what to do is NEVER okay, whether or not you are a fellow member of their sex.
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n--Y--charles116AdamAndEve1
It's always interesting to learn about the past of celebrities like Hugh Hefner - knowing that he was involved in civil rights and sexual rights certainly adds another facet to the infamous Playboy personality.
Thank you.
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