This film is part of Rentals

Soho Striptease Clubs
Intrepid investigative journalist Daniel Farson ventures deep into the heart of Soho to explore the hidden world of afternoon Striptease Clubs.
Director: John Rhodes
Overview
Daniel Farson pays a visit to the Club Panama Theatre, Soho, in April 1958, to experience a new phenomenon: afternoon 'nude shows' that "reflect every British sex taboo". He chats to the club owner, has a frank discussion with the joint's striptease artistes about G-strings, sequinned stars, and their personal lives, and witnesses "the uncovering of a multitude of skins".
At the time, nude models were forbidden from moving on stage in conventional theatres by the Lord Chamberlain's Office, a body responsible for British theatre censorship. But in private members' clubs, it was debatable as to whether the same rules applied. Many Soho entrepreneurs exploited this legislative loophole, following in the footsteps of 'skindustry' leader Paul Raymond, who opened his plush strip club, the Revuebar, also in April 1958.
Related

The Small World of Sammy Lee The Small World of Sammy Lee
Drama 1963 107 mins Director: Ken Hughes
Seedy Soho strip-club compere Sammy (Anthony Newley) races to escape the heavies who hunt him in this gritty, engrossing 1960s London thriller.

Design for Loving Design for Loving
Comedy 1962 69 mins Silent Director: Godfrey Grayson
A grubby Soho beatnik becomes a fuzz-faced fashionista for a leading London fashion house in this 1960s rom com.

The Green Cockatoo The Green Cockatoo
Action and Adventure 1940 64 mins Director: William Cameron Menzies
From an original scenario by Graham Greene, this is a neat crime thriller about a girl (René Ray) who witnesses a murder, becomes a suspect herself, and gets mixed up with a sleazy Soho gangster (John Mills).

All Night Long All Night Long
Drama 1962 91 mins Director: Basil Dearden
Othello is transposed to the 1960s Soho jazz scene as a malevolent drummer sows mistrust between husband-and-wife jazz luminaries.

Where Has Poor Mickey Gone Where Has Poor Mickey Gone
56 mins Director: Gerry Levy
A fairground showman (Warren Mitchell) exacts a terrible revenge upon the hooligans who terrorise him in this haunting tale of mystery and magic

Primitive London Primitive London
Documentary 1965 87 mins Director: Arnold Louis Miller
Arnold Louis Miller's follow-up to London in the Raw lifts the lid on society’s decay with its sideshow spectacle of 60s London depravity.

The Seventh Day The Seventh Day
1957 14 mins Silent Director: Geoffrey Hughes
Man about town Daniel Farson grills the Lord's Day Observance Society on their beliefs about appropriate Sunday activities.

Other Worlds Are Watching Us Other Worlds Are Watching Us
1957 14 mins Director: Geoffrey Hughes
Do you believe in flying saucers? Intrepid investigator Dan Farson weighs up the evidence in this fascinating TV film.

William Tell William Tell
Action and Adventure 2024 133 mins Director: Nick Hamm
A peaceful huntsman is thrust into the heart of the resistance following an Austrian Empire invasion, in this gripping retelling of a timeless legend.

The Crime is Mine The Crime is Mine
Thriller 2022 103 mins Director: François Ozon
François Ozon’s witty 1930s farce about a penniless actress who finds fame while on trial for murder, featuring a riotous performance from Isabelle Huppert.

Barrio Boy Barrio Boy
Romance 2022 83 mins Director: Dennis Shinners
A Latino barber embarks on an erotically charged odyssey of self-discovery over one hot summer in Brooklyn.

Small Things Like These Small Things Like These
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Tim Mielants
Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as a coal merchant who discovers horrific secrets about his local convent.

Rafiki Rafiki
Drama 2018 83 mins Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Romantic sparks fly between the daughters of two opposing politicians in Wanuri Kahiu’s neon-bright story of forbidden love in Kenya.

Luxor Luxor
Romance 2020 86 mins Director: Zeina Durra
Andrea Riseborough stars as an aid worker processing the trauma of working on the frontline on the Jordanian-Syrian border.