Sci-Fi Pniups - Part 1 (1920’s-1970’s)

Metropolis

Maybe the first Sci-Fi movie ever made, was Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent movie Metropolis. Set in a futuristic dystopia, where society is split between two groups: the Owners and the Workers. A crazy scientist builds a female robot that resembles the leader of the workers rebellion (and the love interest of the Owners leader’s son), both to end the Workers rebellion and as a revenge on the Owner leaders.

The robot image from the famous movie poster, became iconic both in the Sci-Fi fandom, and in Pinup imagery. She become an icon, that appeared in many pinup and sci-fi artwork and publications.

The sexy robot idea, continues to be a part of the fandom- but over time the idea evolved. From the metropolis model, to human looking complex female robots, like in Blade Runner, Battlestar galactic, and the Sarah Conner chronicles.

Uhura

While Captain Kirk spent his time flirting with attractive female aliens, his only female crew member become an icon. Uhura, was the female communication officer in the all-male cast of the original Star Trek series. She was also one of the first major black characters in American television. (when she wanted to leave the show after it’s first season it was Martin Luther King, Jr. that convinced her to stay. She was also equipped with a very short and tight mini-skirt.

While she didn’t do much in the original series (or the movies), and her role was mainly composed of looking sexy, she became not only a 60’s sex symbol but also a feminist icon and a role model. Whoopi Goldberg, described Uhura as a role model for her, recalling that she told her family, "I just saw a black woman on television; and she ain't no maid!", and Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, cited Star Trek as an influence in her decision to join.

Princess Leah and the Golden Bikini

Maybe the most iconic and famous geek fantasy in history, is Princess Leah and her Golden Bikini in the 3rd Star Wars movie- Return of the Jedi. One of the first truly feminist characters that appeared in the genre. Princess Leah was a spoof of the princess/ damsel in distress role that usually appeared in Space Operas during the first half of the 20th century. Leah was a princess, but she wasn’t a victim, she was strong resilient and not really in need of rescuing. During a mission to save Han Solo, Leah was captured by the gangster Jabba the Hutt and was turned to his slave, and forced to wear the famous Golden Bikini. She later kills him by chocking him to death with the chain she was tied in (and of course still wearing the Golden Bikini).

Princess Leah and the Golden Bikini, became one of the most memorable scenes in movie history, and one of the most famous geek fantasy in history. Every sci-fi convention has plenty of women dressed in this costume, and it is a very popular Halloween costume.
It also become a famous Pop culture icon, appearing in many films and television shows. Including a very memorable apprence in an episode of the popular series “Friends”.

Dungeons & Dragons

The exact origin of Fantasy/Sci-Fi art is not exactly clear. At the beginning of the 20th century, magazines and books publishers commissioned artwork to compliment the stories and spark the readers’ imagination. It was the Dungeons & Dragons franchise that really contribute to the popularity of Fantasy art. TSR (the company that created D&D) , started hiring artists and illustrators to illustrate monster and characters for their manuals and books, at the same time Heavy Metal bands started using fantasy art images for their album covers.



Like in most cases, fantasy art was a male dominated industry, the woman feathered in these artworks might have been warriors- but like in the 40’s and 50’s they where barely dressed and extremely attractive (the armor they usually didn’t wear, became a joke over the years among female fans).

In the last few years this industry is changing as well- there are many female artist, and the drawing style has changed, but in the golden age of D&D, the hyper realistic barley dressed Pin Up style drawings were all the rage.





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Tags: Sci-Fi Pniups, Metropolis , Uhura , Princess Leah and the Golden Bikini, Dungeons & Dragons, Sexy female pin ups, Yifat Shaik, 1920's, 1970's, generic female roles