By the mid-1950's, Bettie Page had become the number one pin up girl in the USA. Despite being abused by her father as a child and gang-raped as a teenager, Bettie had few hang-ups and was actually quite innocent. She worked hard and saw little to be ashamed of in her chosen line of work, whether posing in a bathing suit, semi-nude or in her infamous bondage pictures. It was the latter that created all the fuss in the mid-1950s when a US Senate sub-committee launched an investigation into pornography. Still believing that she had done nothing wrong, Bettie eventually left the industry and found solace in her religious convictions.

Martin Scorsese and Liv Tyler had been developing a competing project, but then Scorsese was given the green-light for The Aviator (2004), and he backed out. Liv Tyler also subsequently left.

[Bettie reacts angrily when John sings a ribald song during a bondage photo shoot]


John Willie:
What's the matter, Bettie?

[John pulls the gag from Bettie's mouth]


Bettie Page:
It's your language, Mr. Willie.


John Willie:
Oh, it's just an old army ditty to help keep our spirits up while fighting the beastly Hun. Do you approve?


Bettie Page:
I believe in Jesus.

Boom mic visible: During the scene towards the beginning of movie where Bettie Page is talking to a security guard while waiting in the lobby of the courthouse a boom mic can be seen.

Written by Harry Barris and Gordon Clifford
Performed by Artie Shaw
Courtesy of Bluebird / Novus / RCA Victor
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Licensing