FAQ

Chicago American, Sunday, January 29, 1961, p. 21, c. 7:

ANN MARSTERS

'Go Naked' Told in Cheap Manner

by Ann Marsters

There is striking similarity of plot between MGM's "Butterfield 8" and MGM's "Go Naked In the World." The former was one of the studio's top money makers of the past year and still is pulling in barrels of coin all over the country. And of course big things are expected, money wise, of the latest study in prostitution which has moved into the Chicago theater.

"Whither are we drifting?" seems a pertinent question to ask, at this point, in relation to our screen fare. "Butterfield" drew a great deal of criticism for its bold treatment of the heroine's profession. . . but "Go Naked" is much bolder. Here, Hollywood's new found "liberalism" is carried to the very brink of obscenity. This is a thoroly unpleasant, lurid and sickeningly sexy screenplay.

Gina Lollabrigida, playing the highest priced call girl in San Franciso, fills the brightly colored screen with her voluptuous figure sewed into a series of preposterous skin tight low cut, beaded gowns.

You might think any man would be able to figure out what she is merely by taking one look at her. But not so the hero, Anthony Franciosa. He sees her in a fancy restaurant, picks her up, spends the night with her--and falls in love.

Then when he learns she has been bought by practically every man in the city, including his own father, he goes on an emotional bender from which he wakes up to realize he still loves her. He asks her to marry him. But Gina, returning his love, sacrifices her life for his sake.

Gina and her relationship with Franciosa and other men is permitted, unnecessarily, to dominate the script. A far more interesting drama is the conflict between Franciosa and his wealthy, domineering Greek father, splendidly played by Ernest Borgnine. In this there is true vitality and honesty.

Writer producer Ranald MacDougall might have come up with a fine, stirring screenplay had he concentrated on the family rather than on prostitution. As it is, however, "Go Naked In the World," based on a novel by the late Chicagoan Tom Chamales, is an offensive story, told in a vulgar, cheap, shallow manner. I think it will leave most of its patrons with a feeling of depression and disgust.

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Chicago Sun-Times, Monday, January 30, 1961 (extract):

MOVIES

Sympathy Extended To Gina And Cast

by Doris Arden

[one star]

A thorough wast of time. "Go Naked in the World" is dedicated to the proposirtion that all call girls would make wonderful wives. Based on Tom Chamales' novel, but transplanted to a San Francisco setting, the film is long, mauldlin, heavy-handed and as loaded with cliches as January is with icicles.

We found the whole affair incredibly dull and often offensive. And we extend our sympathy to the actors.

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Chicago Tribune, Monday, January 30, 1961 (extract):

Able Cast Fails to Lift This Movie

"Go Naked in the World"

by Mae Tinee

The cast is an able one and can hardly be blamed for its failure to succeed in making this film anything but an overwrought, talkative bore which merely skims the surface of the novel from which it waqs adapted.

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