The Notorious Bettie Page

Do you have anything a little different?

I'm not sure I get your drift.

Do you have anything with unusual footwear?

High heels? Boots?

Leather boots... with laces?

Very good, yes. I'll take that.

Um, do you have any other material

that shows... restraint?

It's a big favorite among certain customers.

The model is very popular.

Do you have any more pictures like this?

I'll have to check the stockroom.

Sir, I'm Detective Farrell of the New York Police Department.

We have to ask you a few questions about the material for sale in your shop.

We have reason to believe you are selling obscene

and indecent literature on these premises.

Any witness who feels that he or she may be

embarrassed by the lights or by the TV and movie cameras...

they will not be asked to testify for television.

Because of the rules of the building,

we cannot have smoking in the courtroom.

That is difficult for some, I realize...

including the chairman.

Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Subcommittee

to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency,

I have become increasingly concerned

during each passing week

with the effect pornographic material has

on American adolescents and juveniles,

and with the widespread distribution

of this insidious filth.

Father Egan, you think this pornographic literature

is having a substantial and degrading effect?

I certainly do. It is corrupting.

It is rotting at the very roots of our nation.

Communism will never defeat America.

No, it's something from within...

within the nation that will rot and corrupt it.

Dear Bettie, how are things in New York City?

We haven't heard from you in a while.

I guess you must be real busy with your modeling career.

Here's a picture of you and me at Christmas after church.

It was nice being together again.

Hope you visit soon.

All my love, Goldie.

"And they went forth and preached everywhere.

The Lord working with them, confirming the word

with signs." Amen.

I know, friends, that one of these days,

God's gonna call me home.

When he calls, I know it's gonna be... praise God...

to my eternal home.

But before he calls, he's gonna give you the chance

to come to him. Yes, friends,

don't you know the Lord...

gives every sinner man and every sinner woman

the chance to come to him, seek him out?

I feel like singing an invitational hymn now. Brother John?

If there be any unsaved souls here tonight

Who feel like giving their hearts to Christ, come seek him out.

Okay.

Y'all, Mrs. Craddock is looking.

- Let her get an eyeful. - Who cares?

Do we look like Ziegfeld girls?

Girls, get on back in the house!

- Come on and do your chores. - Come on, let's go inside.

Bettie, I wanna see you.

Come on up.

Oh! Oh, why thank you.

Uh, ma'am,

Are you gonna be all right waiting here like this on your own?

Do you have a boyfriend or a husband

or something to keep you company while you wait?

Well, thank you for your concern, Officer,

But... no, I'm not married.

I'll be fine on my own.

"...The fundamental principles of democracy is the people's right

- to be represented..." - That's a pretty girl.

You wait here. I'm gonna go ask her for a date.

Billy, you fool, that's Bettie Page. Every guy in town wants

to date that girl, but her mother won't allow it.

I'd sure like to meet you, but if I can't,

I'd like to meet one of your sisters.

Well, you can. They're prettier than me.

That's hard to believe. May I sit down?

Well...

Hey!

"One of the fundamental principles of democracy

is the people's right..."

- Did you write that? - Yes, I did.

I'm on the debating team. Got to memorize it by Friday.

I'd like to debate you sometime.

You're probably a lot smarter than me,

- but I bet I could put up a good fight. - That's very interesting.

I was never much for studying.

They just passed me in school so I could play ball.

Football?

Yeah, I've seen you play...

- against Hume-Fogg. - That's right.

You're a good ballplayer.

Yes, I am. I'm a good dancer too.

- How good are you? - I know a few steps.

If you come out with me, I'll show you.

- Well, I'd like to, but... - Better hurry up.

You're gonna run out of time.

- I signed up. - You're going overseas?

That's right... the army.

Well, my mother doesn't approve of dating.

That's a shame.

That's a darn shame.

You tell your mother Billy Neal would like to take you out.

Maybe I will.

I'm gonna marry that girl.

No, you ain't gonna marry her. Everybody wants that gal.

I don't know. I'm gonna marry her.

Let's see if I can get this right.

- Oh. - Whoo.

See you Monday.

I bet it'd look good on you too.

It's a beautiful night out, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

Say, do you like dancing?

My buddy and his girl are going dancing,

and they invited me along and I'm starting

to feel like a third wheel. I really could use a date.

Well, I do like dancing.

Love to dance, in fact.

Well, my... my friends are just up the block.

I'd be thrilled if you'd come with us.

Yeah, I think I will if you don't mind.

Great.

- My name's Scotty. - Bettie.

- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

Thanks so much.

Have you been to the Victory Ballroom?

I love to go there on a Friday night.

The band really cooks.

And I'd just bet you can really dance, can't you?

Well, I like to dance.

If the music's good, I like it.

- This is Jake. - Hi.

- Hi. - And Ray.

- Hi. - Pleased to meet you.

The more the merrier. Ain't that right?

Why are we...

leaving the city?

Where is this place?

Where are we going?

Where are we going?!

Don't try and run.

Oh, please, for the love of Jesus.

- Please. - Don't make trouble now.

Can't nobody hear you around here anyway.

You know what we're here for.

Just get in the back of the car.

Please, I can't.

Please, it's that time of the month.

Shit,

I thought you said we were getting some tail here.

Well,

she'll have to give us some kind of a satisfaction.

"Dear Goldie,

I've decided to make a fresh start in New York City.

I've found an apartment just off Times Square

and painted and decorated it myself.

I entered a beauty contest or two.

I won second prize in one, which was not too bad...

a set of brand new Revere pots and pans,

which I needed very much.

I hope this finds y'all well and healthy

and you kids are staying out of trouble.

Love to y'all. Bettie."

- Can I ask you a question? - Well...

Don't be nervous. I'm a policeman. Let me show you my badge.

See?

I was just curious...

have you ever done any photographic modeling?

Well, not for photographs.

Well, you look like a model. I'm a policeman,

but I'm a photographer too... on weekends, you know?

If you let me take your picture, I'll give you copies for free.

- Take my photo? Right here? - Sure, why not?

- Looking like this? - Sure.

I don't know.

You're a southern girl, aren't you?

Well, I don't wanna make you feel uncomfortable.

Oh, no no, it's not that.

Don't get me wrong. I worked with a colored woman,

and she was real nice. It's just...

Well, I...

Oh, what's the harm in it?

- Come on, over here. - Good.

I don't think the kids should see this.

Good, Bettie. So where're you from in the South?

Nashville, Tennessee.

- Ah, home of the Grand Ole Opry. - You know it?

I hear it on the radio sometimes.

My wife listens to it now and then.

Could you lift your chin up for me, please?

A little more.