Living Venus

John V. Norwall, the editor of Newlywed magazine, is fired after publishing an editorial that angers the magazine's publisher. This event marks the end of his tenure at the magazine and prompts him to seek new ventures. His passion for editorial independence motivates him to establish his own magazine.

Disgraced and determined, John vows to create his own magazine called Pagan, where he can have greater creative freedom. He begins working on this new project with his photographer friend Ken Carter. This marks the beginning of his effort to re-enter the publishing world on his own terms.

At home, John, drunk, steals a Venus de Milo statuette from an antique shop hoping it will inspire his new magazine. He notices its resemblance to Peggy Brandon, a waitress, and considers her as a model for his project. This act demonstrates John's impulsive nature and his creative inspiration.

John invites Peggy to model as 'The Living Venus' after seeing her resemblance to the statuette. Together with Ken, they take softcore erotic photographs of her to attract investors. These images are used to launch the initial appeal of Pagan magazine, blending art and sexuality.

Initial funding is secured from Ken and John, including pawning Ken’s camera for a new typewriter. The magazine's first issue is successful enough to attract further investments from Max Stein, a shady publisher. Their financial journey marks the magazine's cautious rise in the industry.

John receives a call from Diane, his fiancée, urging him to attend their wedding. He fails to show up, leading to a confrontation with her father and resulting in an altercation. This event highlights John's personal conflicts and reluctance to commit.

John attempts to start an affair with Peggy, who is also courted by Ken. When Peggy reveals Ken's proposal, John proposes marriage to her himself. To replace Ken at the magazine, John hires photographer Geoffrey Page, indicating shifts in his personal and professional life.

John persuades Peggy to retire from modeling to work as a promotions manager, promoting advertising sales. She is hesitant about her new role and begins to rely on alcohol, reflecting her personal decline and the pressures of her new position.

Pagan enjoys a period of commercial success, boosted by the focus on fashion and models. Over time, John and Geoffrey become more interested in romantic pursuits than managing the magazine, leading to issues with professionalism and stability.

Drunken Peggy encounters Ken at his shoot and seeks reassurance from him. She is ultimately overwhelmed and runs away, indicating her emotional struggles. Her confrontation with John at a staff meeting leads to her being called an alcoholic.

Before the magazine’s second anniversary, Max Stein announces he will no longer finance Pagan and suggests John re-hire Ken. This financial setback threatens the magazine’s future and marks a turning point in John's career.

Peggy reappears sober at the second anniversary party, reaffirming her feelings for John. After he rejects her, she falls into binge drinking and drowns in a swimming pool, symbolizing her tragic decline and loss.

At Peggy’s funeral, Max reveals that Ken will take over Pagan, leaving John without a job or romantic prospects. This signifies the end of John’s ambitions for the magazine and his personal failures.