Summer, 1942 - Tucked in the back corners of boardwalk arcades and traveling carnivals, a new kind of thrill was turning heads: the coin-operated peep show machine. For just a nickel, the curious could sneak a peek through a small lens and enter a cheeky new world. One of the more eyebrow-raising reels of the time was “Back to Nature – The Nudist Colony.” It was sunshine, smiles, and skin — all served with a wink of innocent mischief rather than scandal.
These machines weren’t just titillating novelty; they were part of a larger cultural moment. As World War II raged on overseas, Americans at home craved distraction, escapism, and maybe a harmless chuckle. The nudist film — shot to suggest wholesomeness rather than sin — promised a glimpse of utopia: a place where the world was peaceful, bodies were unashamed, and everyone got along, sans pants. Filmed in staged "colonies" often located in Southern California, the short reels were carefully curated to skirt censorship while feeding the hunger for the risqué.
Today, these peep show machines are quirky artifacts of a bygone era — steel-and-wood contraptions humming with nostalgia. They remind us that even in times of great hardship, people found ways to laugh, gawk, and keep a little playful spark alive. “Back to Nature” wasn’t just about nudism. It was about freedom, fantasy, and maybe even a quiet rebellion — five cents at a time.
Thanks to Wild Lens Historic on Facebook for the heads up...
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I confess that as a teenager I looked in one of these because I thought it was supposed to be sexy. What a huge disappointment that was and never did it again. Same with carnival shows offering sexy girls that turned out to be mannequins.
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