A warning about the dangers of sexually-transmitted diseases, specifically syphilis.A warning about the dangers of sexually-transmitted diseases, specifically syphilis.A warning about the dangers of sexually-transmitted diseases, specifically syphilis.
Phyllis Barry
- Margie
- (as Phyliss Barry)
George Atkinson
- Patient in Outer Office
- (uncredited)
Ted Billings
- Patient in Outer Office
- (uncredited)
Oscar Blank
- Patient in Outer Office
- (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks
- Guest at Stag Party
- (uncredited)
Maynard Holmes
- Guest at Stag Party
- (uncredited)
Tiny Jones
- Patient in Outer Office
- (uncredited)
Ethelreda Leopold
- Girl at Stag Party
- (uncredited)
David Newell
- Guest at Stag Party
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDuring the late 1930s and into the '40s, this film was constantly revived on the roadshow circuit with a spicy ad campaign and a new title: "Forbidden Desires". Surviving publicity material shows plenty of lascivious appeal but mentions nothing about the film being about venereal disease.
- Crazy creditsOpening titles: "Foreword. This presentation of the Famous French Play 'DAMAGED GOODS' is the producer's sincere effort to co-operate in President Roosevelt's educational campaign to rid America of its greatest menace to health and happiness, a menace that has already taken toll of millions of lives and can only be curbed by bringing its discussion into the open and ceasing to consider it as an unmentionable. We refer to The Great Imitator - Syphilis". "The audience are asked to note that the figures relating to disease which are quoted in the course of this story relate to the United States and not Great Britain".
- ConnectionsFeatured in Sex and Buttered Popcorn (1989)
Featured review
Well hardly anyone has really reviewed this. It's a campy exploitation film like Reefer Madness except about Syphilis. Unlike today where it's easily treated though the movie goes out of the way to scourge and scorn the hapless victims. The acting isn't bad but the over the top presentation of the material makes it almost laughable. As if they were lepers the victims are nearly immediately outcast by society. It probably was over the top for its era much like those anti smoking and vaping ads they air today. It's moderately better than Damaged Lives which follows similar precedent (and you can ignore all the smoking and drinking in that one because that's fine in 1933, but Syphilis not so much). I am not sure what one gains by watching this, it's an interesting period piece if you're a fan of stuff like this. I found it more comedic than dramatic. In reality that's what it is, essentially an hour long public service ad. If you substitute opioids, vaping, steroids, alcohol, gambling etc and you essentially would have modern topics you could expound the ads of to achieve this result.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Are You Fit to Marry?
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime56 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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