To: pml1@yahoogroups.com
From: Mark Tomlonson
Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2003 15:02:43 -0500
Subject: [PML1] CC: Anne Fleming

In Anne Fleming's centerfold (September 1955) she's leading us up the 
stairs. It ain't for a game of Canasta, Chester.

One of the issues Playboy flirted with in its early centerfolds was how 
overt the male presence should be. In this respect this pin-up works 
fairly well. Anne is looking not at the camera, but at the obviously 
male arm behind her. The arm could belong to any guy looking at the 
picture (I think it probably belongs to Hef). Almost any viewer could 
imagine himself going up the stairs with Anne.

Playboy chose to not pursue the portrayal of a man in the centerfold, at 
least until they bought "Oui". They decided instead to create a more 
intimate feeling by having the model relate directly to the camera. In 
another 15 years there came another increase in intimacy as the camera 
moved progressively closer to the Playmate.

All this history aside, Anne's pin-up never quite takes off for me. The 
make-up and mood owe too much to the fifties for my taste, and it's too 
much a product of a committee. A lot of work, trial and compromise went 
into the creation of this shot, and it shows.

Photographers: Hal Adams

Scoring:
Pin-up: 1.0
Erotic: 2.5
Artistic: 2.0

Overall: 1.7 out of 4.0

Cyber Club Portfolio Photo I like better than the Centerfold: none

http://cyber.playboy.com/members/playmates/files/1955/09/centerfold.html

Mark Tomlonson
Kalamazoo MI