Russ Meyers (1922-2004) was an American filmmaker and photographer of softcore erotica.  An auteur, he wrote, directed, edited and distributed his movies.  He is known for the satirical films he made featuring large-breasted women.  As a rule, these women were portrayed as powerful and independent Amazons.  Among his movies are The Immoral Mr. Teas; Faster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill!; Vixen!; and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.  Meyers took many photographs for Playboy in its early years, including three centerfolds. A cult figure, he was honored with major retrospectives of his work at the British Film Institute and the Chicago Film Festival.

I had not been familiar with Russ Meyers’ work.  I was amused by The Immoral Mr. Teas.  His work truly was a bridge to the open erotica that was to come in the 1970’s.

A link to the early film The Immoral Mr. Teas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqlnZT95Kus

S. Gray

October 2025