BEHIND PLAYBOY BUNNIES 2

Our Bunny weekend continues with a more in-depth look at the world of Playboy Bunnies. In this documentary, former Bunnies talk about how liberating it was to shed post-war inhibitions and escape the limited roles of wife and secretary that society had offered up to that time. Our Bunny Post #1 highlighted the unglamorous work behind the scenes and the perspective of Gloria Steinem. But in this clip, we hear former Bunnies define themselves as pioneers and feminists. Publisher Hugh Hefner talks about Playboy's role to counter the repression of the Eisenhower/McCarthy years, when women were being pressured to go back into the homes after being in the workforce during WWII. He also talks about the anti-establishment nature of Playboy and of stand-up comics in the 1950s as important stepping stones to the "real social revolution that took place in the 1960s." The first Playboy club hosted by Playmates (not waitresses) opened in Chicago on February 29th, 1960. One of the strict rules was that Bunnies did not date the guests, supporting the magazine's mission to provide respectable, urban pleasure and sophisticated fun. Arranging a date with an employee or guest, even providing a last name or phone number, resulted in immediate dismissal. Spy Vibe's Behind Playboy Bunnies 1 here. Hugh Hefner and our article Set For Adventure here. More info at the ex-Playboy Bunny website here.