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Drama Cult Classic

A lurid 1970s tale where beauty contests turn into gateways for international white slavery.

PENTHOUSE PLAYGIRLS

1972 · 1h 24m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

A gang of white slavers lure beautiful young women into prostitution by staging beauty contests in which the "prize" is a Hollywood contract. The "winners" are then drugged and sold to international sex traffickers

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Quick Answer

What is Penthouse Playgirls about?

Penthouse Playgirls is a 1972 German-language drama film directed by Erwin C. Dietrich about a syndicate of white slavers who trap unsuspecting women by luring them through staged beauty contests, only to sell them into international prostitution.

Programmer's Pick

If your idea of a 'prize' is a one-way ticket to sleaze, Dietrich’s Penthouse Playgirls has you covered. Beauty contests have never looked less glamorous—or more naked. It’s a European softcore spectacle with all the subtlety of a velvet sledgehammer.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Penthouse Playgirls dives into the shadowy underbelly of 1970s sexploitation cinema, following a criminal syndicate that preys on young women. Under the guise of glamorous beauty contests, the gang promises Hollywood stardom, only to drug and traffic the winners into a life of exploitation. Director Erwin C. Dietrich leans heavily into the era’s softcore sensibilities, using a minimal storyline as a platform for frequent nudity and risqué scenarios. While the narrative is thin, the film is emblematic of its time, focusing on the darker side of sexual commerce and the commodification of women. Expect a provocative and unflinching look at exploitation, with a tone that skews more salacious than sympathetic.

Details & Specs

Director
Erwin C. Dietrich
Writer
Erwin C. Dietrich
Release
1972
Runtime
1h 24m
Language
German
Genres
Drama
Also Known As
Congressional Playgirls, Penthouse Playgirls, Marchands de filles, White Slavers, Esperienze erotiche di giovani donne, The Girl Traders, Original title: Die Mädchenhändler

Cast & Crew

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Director: Erwin C. Dietrich Writer: Erwin C. Dietrich
PB Peter Baumgartner Rena Bergen Rena Bergen Erstes entführtes Mädchen RB Raphael Britten Bordellkunde Chitta Coray Chitta Coray Mädchen an Haltestelle Nadine de Rangot Nadine de Rangot Gerda Erwin C. Dietrich Erwin C. Dietrich Kidnapper Claudia Fielers Claudia Fielers Linda Christa Free Christa Free Claudine LG Libero Guidi Kidnapper RH Rolf Häubi Chef der Mädchenhändler WK Walter Kraus IL Ilonka List Evelyn Monica Marc Monica Marc Heidelotte CM Carlo Monti Josef Moosholzer Josef Moosholzer Bordellkunde Margrit Siegel Margrit Siegel Margot Melitta Tegeler Melitta Tegeler Ingrid

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Why Cult

White Slavery Plot

The film centers on a criminal syndicate luring women into prostitution under the pretense of beauty contests and Hollywood dreams.

70s Softcore Style

As an early 1970s production, the film epitomizes the softcore sexploitation wave with frequent nudity and sexual situations.

Erwin C. Dietrich Direction

Directed by Erwin C. Dietrich, Switzerland’s notorious 1970s pornographer, who favored a darker, more explicit approach than many contemporaries.

Women In Prison Angle

The film blends elements of the women-in-prison subgenre, with kidnapped women facing abuse and confinement.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Penthouse Playgirls released? +

Penthouse Playgirls was released in 1972.

Who directed Penthouse Playgirls? +

Penthouse Playgirls was directed by Erwin C. Dietrich.

How long is Penthouse Playgirls? +

Penthouse Playgirls has a runtime of 84 minutes.

What genre is Penthouse Playgirls? +

Penthouse Playgirls is a drama with strong elements of sexploitation and women-in-prison themes.

Where can I watch Penthouse Playgirls? +

You can watch Penthouse Playgirls on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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