Steambath (1972)

Topper (1937), Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), Oh, God! (1977), Beetlejuice (1988), Defending Your Life (1991), and This Is The End (2013). Almost every decade delivers a movie that comedically conveys what the after life is like. Back in the ’70s, Bruce Jay Friedman envisioned life after death like a Steambath (1972). In fact, you could say the risqué TV adaptation of his off-Broadway play pretty much justified the existence of PBS. Under the direction of Burt Brinckerhoff, this fantastical dramedy follows Tandy (Bill Bixby) as he wakes up in a steam bath alongside some guys — Bieberman (Herb Edelman), Broker (Kenneth Mars), Flanders (Biff Elliot), Gottlieb (Peter Kastner) — and a gorgeous gal named Meredith (Valerie Perrine). They don’t know how they got there or when they got there, all they know is that it’s getting’ hot! In other words, the dudes drip with sweat while Valerie oozes sex appeal! When the characters realize there’s no way out, they begin telling each other their stories. As a result, they (and we) figure out the steam bath is probably the afterlife. And if this is true, then who is God? Could he be the attendant (José Pérez) picking up all of the towels? Speaking of towels, you may need one while ogling Ms. Perrine. The naked beauty bares her booty and a flash of booby just six minutes into the production. If that’s not arousing enough, Val reveals her right breast at the 20-minute mark. Suffice it to say, Steambath is steamy!