7 Days was an Australian weekly current affairs program that aired in the mid-to-late 1960s, earning a reputation for its groundbreaking reporting on often-overlooked aspects of Australian life. In this 1966 episode, the program explores Sydney’s red-light district and the people who worked there: the go-go dancers, punters, strippers and showgirls. Reporter Richard Croll visits several iconic Kings Cross venues, including Les Girls, Madame's club and Chrystol Studios, to interview those at the heart of the nightlife scene.

In this clip, Croll enters the Paradise Club, where the footage captures the era’s fascination with the exotic. Posters promote Australia’s ‘first and only Parisian strip show’, while one performer poses with a live snake. An interview with stripper Sandra Nelson provides a rare glimpse into the experiences of the women behind the stage personas. Croll’s questions centre on whether she feels ‘embarrassed’ by her profession, reflecting the social stigma surrounding sex work. At the same time, the program gives Nelson space to speak about her work in her own words, offering audiences a more personal perspective on the women performing on stage.

Explore more of After Dark – a Deep Dive into Australian nightlife that draws on decades of material from the NFSA collection.