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Drama Cult Classic

A silent, sexploitative tour through Hollywood's most notorious scandals, real and rumored.

HOLLYWOOD BABYLON

The Down and Dirty Side of the Dream Makers

1972 · 1h 27m · X · Drama · IMDB TMDB

A faux cautionary documentary that portrays several notorious celebrity sex scandals from the golden age of Hollywood through film clips and often humorous softcore reenactments.

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Quick Answer

What is Hollywood Babylon about?

Hollywood Babylon is a 1972 American drama directed by Van Guylder that presents several notorious celebrity sex scandals from the golden age of Hollywood through softcore reenactments and faux-documentary narration.

Programmer's Pick

Hollywood Babylon doesn’t just lift the veil on old Hollywood—it rips it off and tosses it aside, all with a wink. This is not your grandmother’s silent cinema: vintage gossip meets sexploitation, narrated by a voice that’s almost as sly as the vignettes themselves.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Hollywood Babylon is a 1972 silent sexploitation drama that parades viewers through the infamous and often salacious scandals of classic Hollywood. Styled as a faux cautionary documentary and based on Kenneth Anger’s notorious book, the film blends vintage film clips with tongue-in-cheek softcore reenactments, narrated in a semi-serious tone. The vignettes—sometimes naming their celebrity subjects, sometimes leaving them heavily implied—cover both real and rumored tales of excess, debauchery, and intrigue involving figures like Olive Thomas, Wallace "Wally" Reid, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, and Charlie Chaplin. Glimpses of orgies, affairs, and whispered secrets evoke a tawdry underbelly beneath Tinseltown’s golden façade.

Details & Specs

Director
Van Guylder
Writers
L.K. Farbella, Kenneth Anger
Release
1972
Runtime
1h 27m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Drama

Cast & Crew

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Director: Van Guylder Writers: L.K. Farbella +1 more
RG Roger Gentry Big Daddy MG Myron Griffin Charlie Chaplin Marland Proctor Marland Proctor Wally Reid Uschi Digard Uschi Digard Party Guest / Marlene Dietrich Maria Arnold Maria Arnold Party Girl / Mistress / Nightclub Performer / Orgy Girl on Set AP Ashley Phillips Jane Allyson Jane Allyson Girl at Arbuckle's Party / Whipped Girl Nora Wieternik Nora Wieternik Girl at Party Suzanne Fields Suzanne Fields Party Girl / Mildred Harris / Nightclub Patron BB Bunny Bronstein AW Al Ward Waiter Matt Hewitt Matt Hewitt Marlene's Discoverer / Doctor Bambi Allen Bambi Allen Party Girl by Pool (uncredited) Andy Bellamy Andy Bellamy Party Girl in Pool (uncredited) Sandy Carey Sandy Carey Lesbian Lover (uncredited) Con Covert Con Covert Party Guy / Bar Patron / Nightclub Patron (uncredited) LH Lynn Harris Serving Maid / Orgy Girl on Set (uncredited) Tracy Handfuss Tracy Handfuss Party Girl / Orgy Girl on Set (uncredited) LM Linda Marie Party Girl / Script Girl (uncredited) Terri Johnson Terri Johnson Party Girl by Pool (uncredited) Eve Orlon Eve Orlon Party Girl / Orgy Girl on Set (uncredited) (as Sunny Boyd) DB Dick Burns Guy at Party (uncredited) DB Dalana Bissonnette Party Girl by Pool / Girl at Party / Maid on Couch (uncredited) AG Anthony Giger Photographer at Wedding (uncredited) Annette Michael Annette Michael Party Girl / Orgy Girl on Set (uncredited) CN Chesley Noone French Butler / Guy at Arbuckle's Party (uncredited) Susan Westcott Susan Westcott Party Girl / Orgy Girl on Set (uncredited) JT Jane Tsentas Party Girl / Production Assistant (uncredited) Linda York Linda York Girl at Party (uncredited) Wendy Winders Wendy Winders Fellatio Girl (uncredited) Jason Yukon Jason Yukon Guy at Party (uncredited) MM Marius Mazmanian Restaurant Patron / Nightclub Patron (uncredited) JK John Keith Party Guy / Movie Company President (uncredited) Billy Lane Billy Lane Guy at Party (uncredited)

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Why Cult

Silent Sexploitation

The film is both a silent movie and a softcore romp, blending two rarely combined traditions for maximum voyeuristic effect.

Celebrity Scandal Reenactments

Infamous Hollywood sex scandals are brought to life with playful, often risqué vignettes inspired by real and rumored events.

Faux Documentary Style

The film adapts Kenneth Anger’s scandalous book as a mock-serious documentary, complete with a knowing narrator.

Taboo Topics

From orgies and affairs to cover-ups and public nudity, the film gleefully catalogs the salacious side of early Hollywood.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Hollywood Babylon released? +

Hollywood Babylon was released in 1972.

Who directed Hollywood Babylon? +

Hollywood Babylon was directed by Van Guylder.

How long is Hollywood Babylon? +

Hollywood Babylon has a runtime of 87 minutes.

Is Hollywood Babylon a silent film? +

Yes, Hollywood Babylon is a silent film.

What genre is Hollywood Babylon? +

Hollywood Babylon is a drama with strong sexploitation and erotica elements.

Trailers & Clips

Hollywood Babylon trailer
Official Trailer
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