Reverend Braxton B. Sawyer Fights Evelyn West and the Battle Creek Sunshine Lovers Greatest Moments in Vintage Sleaze #6
When the world's biggest publicity whore (with doctor-certified and insured $50,000.00 breasts) Evelyn West travels to a Michigan Nudist colony and encounters an equally self-promoting, but divinely inspired radio evangelist and fruity pebble who hates the naked body, you have the makings of a legendary battle. And to think it took place right outside of cereal city. Battle Creek, home of Sugar Pops and fiber-enriched healthy, sun-worshiping proto-hedonists.
Braxton B. Sawyer is a perfect subject for the old-time-religion blog, as he built his religious empire by becoming the anti-nudist preacher. He CLEARLY took the fig leaf thing seriously, broadcasting anti-naked screeds on his radio show and distributing anti-nudist literature to his followers, even attempting to influence "don't dare go bare" legislation in the four states his radio station could reach.
In 1954, upon hearing of a nudist convention at Sunshine Gardens, a modest retreat (on Sunshine Lane) in Battle Creek, Michigan Reverend Braxton saw opportunity...to raise ratings and clothe the poor (nudists!) The colony was on the farm of Elmer and Lucille Adams, and the good folk of Battle Creek not only tolerated them, they welcomed the private and secluded sunbathers.
Across the country, Famous stripper and busty boobette Evelyn West saw opportunity as well. No practicing nudist, but one who made her living playing one...Evelyn immediately planned a trip to Michigan to confront the preacher, hopefully with press cameras rolling, and agreed to deliver the keynote address.
Sunshine Lane was composed of freedom loving folks who did no one no harm, and they were even nice enough to invite the preacher, but they had an ace in their non-existent sleeves! Sawyer was welcome, but he had to enter through the gate nude.
His "expose" of the exposed thwarted by his own modesty, the preacher camped at the gate, his camera rolling, as he waiting for the bombshell to arrive. While notable nudist guests pulled up, there was a scuffle when the preacher was informed no body was allowed to film anyone at a nudist camp without their personal permission. A fight ensued, and as hard as it is to anger a nudist, the preacher feel to the ground in the scuffle!
A day later the Battle Creek Newspaper criticized the preacher and published the following "There has been no report of immoral or illegal activities at Sunshine Gardens--which is more than can be said of many a well-clothed community...The sunbathers stay out of the others' way...indeed one must go out their way to find them." and implied that the zealot had cast the first stone. The colony had several years earlier made the press for their anti-smoking stance.
For the famous and lovely Ms. West, it was just another day to thrust herself and her talent towards the camera. As for the preacher, he announced at first his plans to attack a nudist colony in Indiana, but withdrew his pledge when informed again his camera was not welcome. That two wire services picked up (and made fun of the anti-nudist preacher) may have had something to do with his change in plans.
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Greatest Moments in Vintage Sleaze is an occasional entry on Vintage Sleaze HERE by Jim Linderman. The first entry documents Candy Barr's visit to the Warren Commission.
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