Christopher Atkins: Pioneering nude film star of the 1980s

For those of you who were born after the 1970s, I'd like to introduce you to Christopher Atkins, an American actor remembered for his extensive nudity in the pioneering film "The Blue Lagoon."

Reef-diving for food in "The Blue Lagoon"

The 1980 film was a must-see for gay men (me included) because it was one of the few occasions when we could see classy male nudity rather the grainy 35 mm porno films shown in adult bookstore.

Atkins landed his first movie role while still a high school senior teaching sailing. His co-star was Brooke Shields, another first-timer whose acting career flourished afterward.

Here's the gist of the film: During the Victorian area, Richard (played by Atkins) and his cousin Emmeline (played by Shields) escape by lifeboat from a sinking ship in the South Pacific. Their only companion is a man named Paddy. The shipwrecked group lands on a tropical island, and Paddy teaches the youngsters to fish, hunt and build a shelter. Then he gets drunk from rum left in the lifeboat and drowns in the ocean, leaving the frightened kids to fend for themselves.

With no adults to supervise them, Richard and Emmeline create a simple life together, unaware that they're about to enter sexual maturity.

Richard and Emmeline often are naked until they enter puberty, having retrieved the tattered clothing they wore on the lifeboat. Only a few scenes depict full frontal nudity. They are seen as such during underwater swimming scenes and in one serious love-making episode shot from a distance. Richard has an implied scene of masturbation. Eventually he and Emmeline give birth to a child even though their clueless about how that happened.

The film was rated MPAA (the evaluation system back then) because of its graphic nudity, strong sexual content and brief scenes of violence.

In an interview many years later, Atkins pointed out, "It's only in the United States that they make a big deal about nudity."

The film had some critical success. It was nominated for an Oscar for "best cinematography" in 1981. Atkins was nominated for a Golden Globe as "best new male star of the year in a major motion picture," and for a Saturn Award as "young artist in a major motion picture." The Saturn Awards also nominated the movie for "best fantasy film."

The film contains a few oddities. Atkins, at age 18, was only 5-foot-6. Shields, just 14, already reached her full adult height of 6 feet. As a result, Shields spent much of her time in the movie walking in trenches on the beach so she wouldn't overshadow Atkins.

Atkins noted that offscreen, "It's like having the Statue of Liberty standing beside me."

Another glitch involves Atkins. During the film he is clean-shaven throughout his film. With no razor on the island, he should have been shown with signs of facial hair, such as sideburns or at least peach-buzz on the chin.

Atkins apparently wasn't the first choice for the film. One online movie review site says Christopher Reeve, Matt Dillon, John Travolta and Richard Gere turned down the role of Richard. Atkins did beat out Sean Penn on the final day of auditions.

After the film, Shields' career took off while Atkins' did so-so. He lost the lead in  "Footloose" to Kevin Bacon. In an interview with UPI in 2009, Atkins revealed that the loss led him to have a breakdown and take up alcohol. He spent time in rehab and has been sober since.

Atkins did get the leading role in "The Pirate Movie," a 1982 take on the Glibert and Sullilvan classic, "The Pirates of Penzance." He made a minor splash as a singer when his song, "How Can I Live Without Her," hit number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles.

Christopher Atkins in 2011

He also starred in "A Night in Heaven" (1983) and had supporting roles on TV, including as Linda Grey's paramour in "Dallas." But it was not until the 1990s that Atkins regained a presence on the small screen in made-for-cable TV movies on Showtime and HBO.

Atkins ran (or still runs) an outdoor sporting goods store in Sherman Oaks, California. He even has a patent to his credit for a fishing lure. As of 2009, he builds swimming pools. I don't have any business information after then.

He still has posed nude in a number of publications, including a 1982 non-frontal cover spread in "Playgirl" and a few classy posed shots.

Alas, he is entirely straight. He married Australian Lyn Barron in 1985 and had two children. The marriage ended in divorce. He since has been dating women.

Oh, one more thing. Atkins will celebrate his 53rd birthday on February 23. Wish him well. While you're at it, please tell him to take his clothes off.

Fishing in "The Blue Lagoon"

"The Blue Lagoon"

Swimming with Brooke Shields in "The Blue Lagoon"

"The Blue Lagoon"

Richard's first not-so-successful attempt at sex with Emmeline

Playing on Black's Beach in California

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