Michel says in early 20th Century France gay sex wasn't considered in any way out of the ordinary and there was no thought that a man could be either gay or straight. "Sexual need was looked on like eating or drinking, and though a woman was needed for reproduction, a man could satify a sexual need if required." In most French brothels before the Second World War men , or "pointes", were always available for customers who wanted a change from a woman.

According to Michel the films were regularly programmed in the waiting rooms of sophisticated brothels. "Their use was twofold -- To serve as visual appetizers while the clients were waiting for the lady of their choice and also to educate the young men who would often visit on Sundays after mass along with their uncles or elder cousins. They would watch these films to learn about a woman’s body and how to perform sexually. They basically received a sexual education from these films and then could go on to practice what they had seen on screen." As the films became more popular there is evidence that some brothels regularly screened them as attractions in themselves on Fridays and Saturday at 8, and to attract the local churchgoing audience on Sundays at 12 noon.

So who produced them? "Most were shot in hidden locations, in a few hours in the afternoon, between friends. Prostitutes from neighbouring brothels were hired and paid. Often, technicians from a legitimate film production company would “borrow” the camera and some film on weekends and become the directors of their own productions. They would also use the costumes and wigs from the set to save money." Though printed programmes from some of the screenings have been found in police archives, there's no record of who the performers were. "All of them requested to remain anonymous, which makes it impossible to identify who really acted in or directed them. For this reason, it is rather delightful to watch these “actors” often having to readjust their wigs and fake moustaches in the middle of their scenes so as not to be recognized unmasked."

The Good Old Naughty Days has been shown publicly not only to great critical acclaim at festivals, but has been released in regular commercial cinemas across Europe. However here in the UK, the R18 laws make it illegal for us to give full details of where it's being shown except to say it's at The Other Cinema in London's West End from April 23rd which has been granted a temporary sex cinema licence by Westminter City Council.

Hamish McAlpine owner of Tartan Films who are releasing the film here in the UK says it's unbelievable. “In a throwback to the trial of Lady Chatterley’s Lover in the Britain of the 1950s, it has been decided that a ninety-nine year old silent film poses such a threat to the well being of British people that it cannot be seen by normal people, in normal cinemas, under normal circumstances. It is really time that Britain moves not into the 20th Century, but the 21st and brings itself in line with the rest of the world with regard to classification and censorship."