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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Why are blue movies 'blue'?

Why are blue movies 'blue'?
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monkeybrain
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Jan 12, 2007, 02:36 AM
 
I've been searching around for an answer to this for a while now. Why do we call blue movies 'blue movies'? What is blue about them?

Interesting to note, in Taiwan they are known as yellow movies, apparently because of all the skin in them.
     
Mithras
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Jan 12, 2007, 02:43 AM
 
The Mavens' Word of the Day
Blue first meant 'indecent' or 'obscene' early in the 19th century. "Thread o' blue" was defined in 1824 as 'any little smutty touch in song-singing, chatting or piece of writing' (MacTaggart, The Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia), and Variety described a show in 1921 by saying: "It's composed of...generous slathers of hoke, not a little vulgarity, a line or bit of business approaching the blue here and there."

I found three suggested origins of blue movie: one says the name came from the fact that Chinese brothels were painted blue on the outside; the second says it's from the blue spotlights used in striptease acts; and the third says it dates from the days when pornographic movies were shown on home projectors, which presumably gave them a bluish cast. In C. Gorham's Mr. Dolan, a character asks, "How would you like to come up to my place and see a blue movie?" Since that was 1949, it wasn't a video he meant, so this lends some credence to the third theory. Although, if blue meant 'obscene', the origin of the term for the movie seems obvious.
     
Kevin
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Jan 12, 2007, 08:02 AM
 
Hmm there used to be a "blue law" on Sundays too

"A blue law, in the United States and Canada, is a type of law designed to enforce moral standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest. Most have been repealed or are simply unenforced, although prohibitions on the sale of alcoholic beverages, and occasionally almost all commerce, on Sundays are still enforced in some areas."

I remember when it was repealed in this town.
     
Dakar²
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Jan 12, 2007, 09:15 AM
 
Used to?

Still are in this state.
     
climber
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Jan 12, 2007, 08:45 PM
 
Is that why Sony calls it Blue Ray?
     
Rumor
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Jan 12, 2007, 08:48 PM
 
Originally Posted by climber View Post
Is that why Sony calls it Blue Ray?
Ba-dump-ching!
I like my water with hops, malt, hops, yeast, and hops.
     
Kerrigan
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Jan 12, 2007, 09:08 PM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar² View Post
Used to?

Still are in this state.
what state?
     
osiris
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Jan 12, 2007, 09:49 PM
 
I'm still working on the blue balls thing. But blue movies... hmmm, that is a great question.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
Dakar²
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Jan 12, 2007, 09:51 PM
 
Originally Posted by Kerrigan View Post
what state?
PA.
     
medicineman
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Jan 12, 2007, 10:09 PM
 
It's the same as being sad and blue, or green with envy, or a yellow coward. It's all a conspiracy by Crayola.
     
hempcamp
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Jan 12, 2007, 10:19 PM
 
Although Wiki doesn't have a good entry for "blue movies" I'm guessing they have to do with "blue laws." The laws are so named because moralists were often called blues or bluenoses in the 19th century.

--Chris
Current: iMac 20" 2.4/4/320 / iMac G4 800
Portable: iPhone 3G White/16 / 12" PowerBook 1.5/1.25/80
Former: PowerMac G5 Dual 1.8 / iBook G3 700 / PM 7500, 3G iPod 10GB, 5.5G iPod 30GB
     
TheoCryst
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Jan 12, 2007, 10:44 PM
 
Because if they were read movies, they'd be...

...ew.

Any ramblings are entirely my own, and do not represent those of my employers, coworkers, friends, or species
     
residentEvil
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Jan 12, 2007, 11:06 PM
 
yup, blue balls are in PA; next to Climax, Paradise and Intercourse
     
   
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