GOOD, THE BAD, THE BEAUTIFUL, THE: WOMEN IN THE MOVIES (TV)
Summary
This televised documentary special, narrated by Laura San Giacomo, focuses on the history of women in film and some of their most classic archetypes and characters, as examined through a series of clips. The program begins as several actresses comment on their lifelong love of the movies, and the first category explored is the "femme fatale," as seen in such films as "Basic Instinct" (1992), "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1946 and 1981), and earlier film noirs, including "The Bride Wore Black" (1968) and "They Drive By Night" (1940). Actresses Sharon Stone, Kathleen Turner and Jeanne Moreau as well as others discuss the allure of their seductive and dangerous female characters, who often manipulate and kill to get what they want. Barbara Stanwyck played a number of such women in films like "Double Indemnity" (1944) and "Baby Face" (1933); the Depression-era characters were noted for their unfailing determination to succeed. Turner admits that she had not thought of herself as a femme fatale type before acting in films such as "Body Heat" (1981), and the women note that while in the past, such characters were usually "punished" and killed by the end of their films, these days wicked female characters are allowed to survive and get away with their crimes.
Next is "the romantic," and screenwriter Nora Ephron discusses how "movie love" is often different than real-life romance. Such classics as "Gone With the Wind" (1939) typify the fiery love-hate banter of many great romances, and Ingrid Bergman was known for playing lovesick women in films like "Casablanca" (1942), "Spellbound" (1945) and "Notorious" (1946). Daryl Hannah comments on her ability to play an "aching longing," and though audiences sympathized with her characters, they were less forgiving when she had an affair with Roberto Rossellini and had a daughter out of wedlock. Audrey Hepburn then gained popularity with her unique style and relatable "girl-next-door" persona, as seen in "Two for the Road" (1967) and "Funny Face" (1957), and the actresses observe that romance was always a "woman's world" in the movies.
Next up is the "bombshell," usually known for their blonde hair, curvaceous figures and funny demeanors, as first established by Jean Harlow in films like "Bombshell" (1933) and "Dinner at Eight" (1933). Hannah comments on how Harlow "made fun of sex" with her bold, clever attitude, though she then died prematurely at age 26. In the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe gained great fame with her looks and her comic timing in films such as "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953), and Jamie Lee Curtis notes that her "ditzy" persona was actually an act masking her smarts. As seen in modern films like "Blue Sky" (1994) and "Working Girl" (1988), women are now allowed to be smart as well as sexy, as society's repressive nature has lessened somewhat.
Following this is the "independent woman," like Diane Keaton's characters in "Reds" (1981) and "Baby Boom" (1987) as well as Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia in "Star Wars" (1977) and even in Katharine Hpeburn's character in "A Woman Rebels" (1936). These women were noted for having jobs, and Hepburn played many such characters in movies including "Adam's Rib" (1949) and "Stage Door" (1937), and Sally Field talks about her admiration for Hepburn's fearless ladies, who often reflected her real life: she also bought the rights to "The Philadelphia Story" (1940) and carried on a long relationship with frequent co-star Spencer Tracy. Kathy Bates notes that such strong women were often seen as a "threat," and that working women were often portrayed as poor homemakers. Doris Day portrayed a number of self-sufficient women, like in "Lover Come Back" (1961) and "That Touch of Mink" (1962), but her "virginal" characters usually found a man by the end. Now, however, women are typically allowed to have both freedom and romance in their stories.
Next up is "the fury," a woman reclaiming her power and often taking revenge after being wronged, like in "The Accused" (1988) and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966). "Fatal Attraction" (1987) featured Glenn Close as a woman outraged after being dumped by a one-night stand, and Close discusses her "mixed feelings" about test audiences' demand for her character's death at the end. Joan Crawford played a number of such women, notably in "Mildred Pierce" (1945), in which she plays a hard-working divorcee battling against her selfish daughter. Bates notes the similarities between Mildred and her character in "Dolores Claiborne" (1995), as well as her infamous terrifying character in "Misery" (1990), observing the great roles that can come from women "being impolite."
Next is "the wisecracking dame," and Rosie O'Donnell explains that, like her characters in "A League of Their Own" (1992) and "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), these women are usually the funny sidekicks and best friends. Though they often do not find romance, such characters are known for their confidence and clever observations, like Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday" (1940) and Mary Kay Place in "The Big Chill" (1983). Mae West played a number of sharp-tongued "loose women," and her sexy, witty delivery led to the creation of the Hays Code, which censored sexual content and innuendo. O'Donnell then discusses her inspiration from Barbra Streisand, known for her comic timing and her unconventional beauty. Whoopi Goldberg, who won an Oscar for her comedic role in "Ghost" (1990), is also praised for her ability to "romance the audience with her charm."
Following this is "the heroine," seen in early films like "Cry Havoc" (1947) and "Westward the Women" (1951) as well as later movies like "Norma Rae" (1979). Though their roles are not always physical ones, these women defy society and exhibit a "fear-driven courage," as exemplified by Bette Davis in movies like "Dark Victory" (1939) and "Marked Woman" (1937). In real life, she challenged the unfair studio system with a lawsuit, which was later won by Olivia de Havilland. Field discusses her roles in films like "Places in the Heart" (1984), for which she won an Academy Award, explaining how her characters are "tested" by circumstance, though heroines in later movies often fulfilled more physical and traditionally "masculine" roles, like Sigourney Weaver's outer-space fighter in "Alien" (1979).
The final archetype is "the goddess," often noted for their instant transformations from mousy to glamorous, like in "Gigi" (1958) and "Cover Girl" (1944). They become "unattainable" and "otherworldly" in their beauty, often having an ambiguous past and a seductive quality, like Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief" (1955). Greta Garbo played a number of such characters in "miserable" stories like "Grand Hotel" (1932) and "Mata Hari" (1931), and Natasha Richardson comments on her "untouchable" iconic quality. Garbo's characters were often punished for their passion, like in "Anna Karenina" (1935) and "Camille" (1936), suffering on "the audience's behalf." These days, however, there is no "proper place" for women in film, and actresses are allowed to embody a variety of different characters, including—but not limited to—the aforementioned classic figures. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: TNT
- DATE: March 17, 1996 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:35:14
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 109629
- GENRE: Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: Specials; Movies; Documentary
- SERIES RUN: TNT - TV, 1996
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Executive Producer
- Jacoba Atlas … Executive Producer
- Dianne Nelmes … Executive Producer
- Carl H. Lindhal … Executive Producer
- Vivian Schiller … Senior Producer
- Kyra Thompson … Senior Producer, Writer
- Gail Torr … Producer
- Patricia Bischetti … Line Producer
- Susan Justin … Music by
- Barry Ennis … Theme Music by
- Laura San Giacomo … Narrator
- Kathy Bates
- Ingrid Bergman
- Glenn Close
- Joan Crawford
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Bette Davis
- Doris Day
- Nora Ephron
- Sally Field
- Carrie Fisher
- Greta Garbo
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Daryl Hannah
- Olivia de Havilland
- Jean Harlow
- Audrey Hepburn
- Katharine Hepburn
- Diane Keaton
- Grace Kelly
- Marilyn Monroe
- Jeanne Moreau
- Rosie O'Donnell
- Mary Kay Place
- Natasha Richardson
- Roberto Rossellini
- Rosalind Russell
- Barbara Stanwyck
- Sharon Stone
- Barbra Streisand
- Spencer Tracy
- Kathleen Turner
- Sigourney Weaver
- Mae West