Playgirls International

About This Movie

Playgirls International is one of those elusive Doris Wishman nudist documentaries that captures a particular slice of early '60s counterculture. The tone is both playful and provocative, presenting nudity in a way that's less about salaciousness and more about liberation—albeit through a kitschy lens. The pacing feels very much of its time, slow and meandering, but that kind of works in its favor, allowing the viewer to soak in the oddities of the era. The performances are, well, all natural, as you’d expect, but there’s something charming about the earnestness of the participants. What really stands out here is the lack of a surviving print—it’s like chasing a ghost in the collector world, which adds a layer of intrigue to the film’s legacy.

Playgirls International remains a curiosity in the documentary genre, with its print still missing, making it a rarity among collectors. There have been few formats circulated, with whispers of its existence passed among enthusiasts. Its scarcity has generated a fair amount of intrigue, as many are drawn to the possibility of unearthing this lost piece of film history. The film encapsulates a unique moment in time, and its absence only adds to the lore surrounding Wishman’s work.