 The film was rated "X" (no one under 17 admitted) upon its original  release in 1969, but the unrestricted use of that rating by  pornographic filmmakers caused the rating to quickly become  associated with hardcore sex films. Because of the stigma that  developed around the "X" rating in the ratings systems early years,  many theaters refused to run "X" films and many newspapers would not  run ads for them. The film was given a new "R" (children under 16  must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian) rating in 1971,  without having anything changed or removed.