Sex Madness

Directed by Dwain Esper
Produced by Dwain Esper
Written by Joseph Seiden, Vincent Valentini

Starring:
Vivian McGill
Rose Tapley
Al Rigeli
Stanley Barton
Linda Lee Hill


Sex Madness (1938) is an exploitation film directed by Dwain Esper, along the lines of Reefer Madness, supposedly to warn teenagers and young adults of the dangers of venereal diseases, specifically syphilis.


Wild parties, lesbianism, and premarital sex are some of the forms of "madness" portrayed. The "educational" aspect of the film allowed it to portray a taboo subject which was otherwise forbidden by the Production Code of 1930, and its stricter version imposed by Hollywood studios in July 1934.


It has been reissued under many titles, including Human Wreckage, They Must Be Told, and Trial Marriage.