Playboy January 2004 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

COVER STORY
Fifty years ago we invented a winning formula: top-notch journalism, hilarious cartoons and, of course, nude photos of beautiful women. This issue shows why we’re still on top at our half-century mark. Art Director Tom Staebler created our celebratory cover. Senior Art Director Len Willis designed our anniversary logo. Our Rabbit doesn’t look a day older.

FEATURES
90 IMMODEST PROPOSALS
The nation’s smartest?and ballsiest?writer lays out a fearless platform for a brave new world. Ignore it at your own risk. BY NORMAN MAILER
117 50 YEARS: A PLAYBOY CELEBRATION
In 1953 the first issue of PLAYBOY hit newsstands and, quite simply, changed everything. These 21 pages tell the story of history’s best-looking revolution.
138 TO MY SON
A playwright famous for turning four-letter words into an art form passes down some tender truths about women, handshakes and necrophilia. BY DAVID MAMET
142 THE NEW PLAYBOY BACHELOR PAD
View the ultimate party space for the 21st century single man. BY FRANK GEHRY
148 EMPTINESS
The simple tools of writing can shed more light on the creative process than any words. That’s why this novelist collects blank sheets of paper from such famous authors as Sigmund Freud and John Updike. BY JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER
152 FEAR AND JUSTICE IN THE KINGDOM OF SEX
The original gonzo journalist salutes Hef and worries that old communist conspiracy theories are being repackaged as the War on Terrorism. BY HUNTER S. THOMPSON
158 YOUR OFFICE OR MINE?
A writer best known for her humorous send-up of office life says we should reevaluate the role of sexual harassment in the workplace. BY LAUREN WEISBERGER
162 DEMOLITION
Every year men driving fire-breathing farm equipment pull into a tiny Washington town to drink up, fuel up and get smashed up. BY CHUCK PALAHNIUK
182 DR. SEX
Alfred C. Kinsey pried open the bedroom doors of 18,000 Americans and published the most intimate details of their sex lives. Here are his sexual peccadillos. BY T.C. BOYLE
220 50 PRODUCTS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
How the miniskirt, Big Mac and Jacuzzi helped fast-forward us into the future. BY BOB SLOAN AND A.J. BAIME
254 MY LIFE WITH PLAYBOY
Shortly before his death, Gotham’s man of letters immortalized his favorite memories from the Mansions. He bunked with Bunnies, snapped Centerfolds in Hef’s backyard and almost tripped over a napping Warren Beatty. BY GEORGE PLIMPTON
260 20Q: AL FRANKEN
The SNL alum behind the controversial book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them comes clean about life as a liberal satirist. Honest. BY WARREN KALBACKER

FICTION
104 LOYALTY
A man discovers the truth behind an unsolved homicide. BY SCOTT TUROW
228 ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER
A manic bridge tender loses his bird’s-eye view in a swan dive. BY THOM JONES

INTERVIEW
79 JACK NICHOLSON
Forget his 12 Oscar nominations. Jack Nicholson is our anniversary Playboy Interview because he’s the exemplary Playboy man. The Hollywood legend addresses his reputation as a rogue, reveals his definition of a woman’s “sweet spot” and says he’ll retire when younger actors can do a better job than he can. BY DAVID SHEFF

PICTORIALS
96 LIGHTS, CAMERA, FANTASY!
Michael Bay, Spike Lee and six other top Hollywood directors will get rave reviews for their visions of beauty. Definitely not rated PG.
168 PLAYBOY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY PLAYMATE: COLLEEN SHANNON
This Alaska native embodies our hopes for the future.
200 GOLDEN MEMORIES
It took half a century to put together this scrapbook. In it are the Playmates and celebrities wito define American beauty.
233 PLAYMATE REVIEW
Soft money is not an issue in this election. Cast your ballot for your favorite 2003 Playmate.

NOTES AND NEWS
25 PLAYBOY MANSION FROLICS
Eminent, Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and George Clooney help us celebrate 50 years.
65 THE PLAYBOY FORUM
From abortion to sodomy, the battles we helped win; Hef writes the Playboy Philosophy.
309 PLAYMATE NEWS
Celebrities who’ve posed for PLAYBOY will compete in the Lingerie Bowl during Super Bowl halftime; Colin Farrell’s favorite Playmate.

DEPARTMENTS
3 PLAYBILL
29 DEAR PLAYBOY
33 AFTER HOURS
57 MANTRACK
61 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR
180 PARTY JOKES
290 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY
315 ON THE SCENE
316 POTPOURRI

FASHION
188 THE A-LIST
Billy Bob Thornton, Jerry Bruckheimer, Greg Kinnear and other members of the Hollywood elite revel in their personal style. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS
196 THE GOLD STANDARD
These precious-metal accessories offer the appropriate shine for our golden-anniversary party.

REVIEWS
45 MOVIES
The Return of the King caps off the Lord of the Rings saga.
48 DVDS
Pirates of the Caribbean is shipshape; Liv Tyler’s nude scenes hoist our mainsail.
50 MUSIC
Blink-182 leaves our eyes wide open; the Beatles tear down a wall of sound.
52 GAMES
Max Payne finds love and new firepower; a chat with Mya about gaming.
54 BOOKS
Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas is strange in the best way. Plus: fun with serial killers!