Heroines in Hollywood

Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

We got a pretty good start to a list going for essential films dealing with issues surrounding femininity.  One thing I noticed, however, is that the films seem predominately feminist/pro-woman.  Generally speaking, Hollywood seems to have a negative image for its portrayal of women, from body image to passe stereotypes, however, our list seems to indicate otherwise. 

Some points for discussion:

-Is this accurate, or are we just seeing a subversion of the old cultural standards? 

-How is Hollywood propogating or subverting the old stereotypes today?

-Is Hollywood promoting a feminist agenda or not?

Just some points to ponder.  I have my opinions, but I'd love to hear everyone else's first...

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

This really doesn't answer any of your questions, but I saw that you put the phrase The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in the subject of this discussion.  And when I thought about the movie of the same name and women, I thought it was interestng that you wrote that.  Since that movie features virtually no women at all in it's nearly 3 hour running time.  The biggest role for a woman is just once scene which features a whore who is being beat up by Angel Eyes.

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

Its funny, I thought the same thing after I wrote that.  The only time we really see a woman is a) the whore getting beat up and b) the wife of the mexican rancher (near the opening).  Both are very submissive and inconsequential roles.  Honestly, probably a lot like it actually was in the 1860's.

Risselada:

This really doesn't answer any of your questions, but I saw that you put the phrase The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in the subject of this discussion.  And when I thought about the movie of the same name and women, I thought it was interestng that you wrote that.  Since that movie features virtually no women at all in it's nearly 3 hour running time.  The biggest role for a woman is just once scene which features a whore who is being beat up by Angel Eyes.

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

   There is at least one movie that I know of that has no women in it at all...   and that movie is  Ice Station Zebra .   My Mom pointed that out to me after we saw it in the theatre when I was about eight.   My Dad bought me the plastic model kit of the submarine that they were selling in the theatre!   I wish I still had that thing!   Damn!

   If you just want to talk about the movies in which women are victimized in some way you could just say "All of them." ...

                                                                                         < GOR >

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

Dr_Gor:

There is at least one movie that I know of that has no women in it at all...   and that movie is  Ice Station Zebra .   My Mom pointed that out to me after we saw it in the theatre when I was about eight.  

Also,
The Thing
12 Angry Men
Reservoir Dogs
Lord of the Flies
Bad Taste

and The Great Escape and probably a lot of other war movies

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

Risselada:

Dr_Gor:

There is at least one movie that I know of that has no women in it at all...   and that movie is  Ice Station Zebra .   My Mom pointed that out to me after we saw it in the theatre when I was about eight.  

Also,
The Thing
12 Angry Men
Reservoir Dogs
Lord of the Flies
Bad Taste

and The Great Escape and probably a lot of other war movies

   Wow. I think you are mostly right, Rizzo, but I think  The Great Escape  had a couple of women in it.   Not in major roles but in the scenes after the escape and trhe prisoners are fleeing about the countryside and through the towns.   I will have to see it again to be sure.   The original version of  The Thing From Another World  features a woman in a predominate role but I believe you are correct in that the remake has none.   I think you are correct about the other movies you mentioned.   I guess there are a few of them.   Interesting...

                                                                                    < GOR >

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

longest movie with no female speaking parts (i think): lawrence of arabia

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

Very true, and makes me think of nearly every John Wayne movie too.  There are speaking parts, but they are usually inconsequential and stereotypical, and followed by John Wayne demeaning them in some fashion.

joem18b:

longest movie with no female speaking parts (i think): lawrence of arabia

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

seely:

Very true, and makes me think of nearly every John Wayne movie too.  There are speaking parts, but they are usually inconsequential and stereotypical, and followed by John Wayne demeaning them in some fashion.

whoa, that's worth some research. did he demean angie in rio bravo? or maureen in the quiet man? true that he made a lot of movies where women played a minor part, but he also hooked up over the years with some big stars in romantic situations.

Re:Women in Hollywood: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

seely:

Very true, and makes me think of nearly every John Wayne movie too.  There are speaking parts, but they are usually inconsequential and stereotypical, and followed by John Wayne demeaning them in some fashion.

   Those are fightin' words, Pilgrim!   The Duke was never "demeaning" to any woman in his life.   At least on screen he always treated women with the ultimate respect and politeness...   I don't think you have seen very many John Wayne movies...