In 1956, French cinema saw the release of Mademoiselle Striptease, a light-hearted film directed by Marc Allegret that takes viewers on a tour of the glamorous and seductive world of Parisian cabarets. Originally titled Mademoiselle Striptease, the movie showcases impressive striptease performances and features Agnes Laurent as a spoiled young woman from the provinces. However, it’s Brigitte Bardot, one of France’s most iconic actresses, who steals the spotlight—especially during a memorable scene where she participates in an amateur striptease contest.
The Plot of Mademoiselle Striptease
The film revolves around Agnes Laurent’s character, a pampered and naive girl who gets caught up in the excitement and allure of Parisian nightlife. In the midst of her adventures, she ends up in a series of tricky situations. To solve her problems, she enters a striptease competition, hoping to win the cash prize. The contest, filled with professional performers, becomes the setting for the film’s most entertaining moments.
Brigitte Bardot plays a character who is quite different from her real-life persona. In Mademoiselle Striptease, Bardot is cast as a “good girl,” a modest and shy young woman. This role is a departure from the sultry, bold characters she would later become famous for portraying. Her character’s innocence and naivety make her involvement in the striptease contest all the more surprising—and humorous..
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Bardot’s Striptease Scene
While Mademoiselle Striptease features several professional striptease performances, it’s Brigitte Bardot’s scene that stands out. In the film, Bardot’s character enters the contest out of necessity, hoping to win the prize money to solve her financial troubles. But unlike the other contestants who fully embrace the art of striptease by removing most of their clothes, Bardot’s approach is notably different.
Bardot’s character is shy and unsure of herself on stage, reflecting her “good girl” persona. She removes very little clothing, only teasingly lifting her arms or slightly revealing her shoulders. Yet, despite her modest performance, she manages to captivate the audience—and the judges—with her natural charm and undeniable beauty. Her coy and hesitant movements, combined with her effortless allure, end up winning the contest.
This scene plays on Bardot’s unique appeal. While she wasn’t the typical striptease performer—and didn’t need to be—her presence was enough to outshine the more experienced contestants. Her minimal striptease proved that sometimes, less is more. Bardot’s natural charisma and the subtlety of her performance made her the unexpected star of the show.
