Grand Rapids’ Strange Link to a 1965 Risqué Film

Since 2000, Grand Rapids has been known for many things. Its quick rise to being the hub of craft brewing to become known as Beer City, USA is what we're mainly known for, ArtPrize, of course, is another.

But something few people probably don't know Grand Rapids for is the city's starring role in a classic film, but one that it probably doesn't want to be known for; a sexploitation film from 1965 featuring a "hunky" husband, his "sweet" wife, and a whole lot of spicy action.

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Jens Handt

What is a "Sexploitation Film"?

Now, reading the phrase "sexploitation film" sounds rather jarring, but in reality, it's the cleanest type of "dirty movie" featuring nudity that would get made. They featured plenty of nudity, but no actual sex. Per IMDB, a sexploitation film is:

a independently produced, low budget feature film generally associated with the 1960s and serving largely as a vehicle for the exhibition of non-explicit sexual situations and gratuitous nudity.

These old films were typically shown in grindhouses a.k.a. adult movie theaters before adult movie theaters were a thing.

"One Shocking Moment" and Grand Rapids

So, how is Grand Rapids involved in "One Shocking Moment"? Well, let's read the description of the movie. Directed by Ted V. Mikels, an apparent legend in the grindhouse genre, the film is about

Hunky businessman Cliff and his sweet wife Mindy move from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Los Angeles, California. They take up residence in an apartment complex where several lovely young ladies also live. Pretty soon Cliff is cheating on his wife with the boss' secretary while Mindy gets involved with alluring and predatory bisexual nightclub owner and dominatrix Tanya.

Ted V. Mikels, Mark Brown Productions

The odd part about this film is that they are in Grand Rapids for a whopping two minutes of the 75-minute film, the rest takes place in LA. Grand Rapids has no impact on the film, so it being mentioned so heavily in the description is honestly a bit confusing. It easily could have been a side-mentioned place, but instead, our city is mentioned by name with zero explanation why.

Grand Rapids Assessor's Department, City of Grand Rapids Archives and Records Center

The likely reason is it is meant to be a place that juxtaposes the party, risque city life of LA with the wholesome sweet Grand Rapids. Either way, GR getting name-dropped in a film like this is rather funny. You can watch the movie on YouTube or on MUBI.