BUNNY'S TALE, A (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television drama film, based on Gloria Steinem's article of the same name, depicts her undercover experience as a waitress at the notorious Playboy Club. The story begins in New York City in January 1963 when Gloria's co-workers at Show magazine spot a classified ad seeking "pretty and personable" young women to work at the famous men's club. She protests that she would prefer to cover the civil rights marches in Birmingham, but agrees to attend the interview and, if hired, write an amusing exposé about her experience. Giving the name "Marie Catherine Ochs," she is quickly selected on the basis of looks alone, while elsewhere her boyfriend, up-and-coming playwright Ned Holcomb, works on his new musical about the life of Jonas Salk and fights with Greg, the director and Luther, the lead actor. Gloria's man-crazy sculptor roommate Toby declares that Luther may be "the one" for her, and both she and Ned are surprised to hear of Gloria's new job. She arrives for work and is given a series of forms by her no-nonsense boss Miss Renfro, though she quickly claims that she has lost her Social Security card when asked for proof of age, not wanting to give away her true identity. Miss Renfro instructs her to study her "Bunny Bible" and undergo a "complete" physical examination, and she reads the manual to Ned, incredulous at the suggestive rules about being "friendly" with male customers to boost liquor sales.
"Marie" heads for the doctor's appointment and reacts with offense to the "internal" part of the exam, and she and the other new girls are given a strict lecture by their "Bunny Mother" about pleasing the customers, particularly the wealthy key-holders. Gloria tells Toby about the experience so far, noting that state law does not actually require waitresses to undergo such invasive medical exams. Gloria then learns about the costume policy, which requires them to pay a "rental" fee and supply their own shoes, and about the complicated system of merits and demerits for their behavior. Margie teaches the girls how to serve drinks with a flirtatious air, noting that they can make the customers believe that they will "date" them later on without actually having to do so, though naïve young Bobbi struggles with the instructions. Gloria grows nervous about her first night as a Bunny as Ned argues with the "arrogant" Luther, and as she begins her shift, the male customers prove unsurprisingly lecherous and obnoxious towards the waitresses. Gloria attempts to take a brief dinner break, though quickly realizes that none of the other girls do so, as they are desperate to fit into their extremely tight and provocative costumes.
Gloria's boss, Phil, reminds her that she is supposed to be chronicling the "funny aspects" of the job, though she argues that there is clearly more to the story. She soon visits a doctor, suffering foot pain from her very high heels, and later overhears a fellow Bunny, Andrea, arguing with someone on the phone about her children, though she refuses to elaborate. Andrea is soon outraged when a glowing newspaper article inaccurately describes their generous salaries and comfortable working experience, pointing out that they are required to pay for their own accessories and that the club takes a hefty percentage. She notes that two other former Bunnies are suing the club for back tips, but the others angrily tell Andrea not to risk all of their jobs by voicing her complaints. Gloria talks to her privately, assuring her that matters will improve, though she is offended when she serves Greg, Ned's director, and he fails to recognize her. Ned then learns that a major investor has backed out, meaning that his play cannot go on, but Gloria reassures him that they will raise the necessary funds somehow.
Backstage at the club, the women discuss their boyfriends and husbands, with sharp-tongued Pearl pointing out that they are all supporting their men without receiving much in return. Andrea continues fighting with her ex-husband over the telephone, and the women enjoy a brief moment of fun before the club opens, dancing and joking around together. Andrea then fails to turn up for a mandatory photoshoot, and Gloria learns that Pearl too has been separated from her children. Miss Renfro then roundly scolds Bobbi for "stealing," though Bobbi tearfully protests that she merely took her costume home to show her husband. Ned throws a dinner party for his mother's wealthy friends, hoping to entice them into supporting his show, though Gloria is distracted by her worries about Andrea and the other women. After the party, Ned blows up at Gloria for not helping him to schmooze the guests, angry that she cares more for her "dumb Bunnies" than she does for him. Toby admits that she spent the entire night hoping for attention from a random man, saying that she "feels like nobody" when men reject her, but Gloria assures her that she is special and deserves more attention for her artistic talents.
Phil grows increasingly annoyed over Gloria's article, which is decidedly no longer "light and funny," and he urges her to quit and finish the piece. Ned apologizes to her, revealing that the party was a success after all and that his Salk musical is going ahead, and she promises to attend his opening night. Gloria heads to the club and announces that she is quitting, claiming that her mother has suddenly taken ill, but a badly bruised Andrea then arrives, tearfully explaining that her ex beat her up. The other women rally around her when she frets that she cannot skip another shift without losing her job, and Gloria decides to work the evening in Andrea's place, meaning that she will miss the play. The other women declare that they will take turns covering her upcoming shifts, and Gloria bids an emotional farewell to her new friends at the end of the night, surprised to find herself sad to leave. She explains that Ned never forgave her for missing opening night and that she missed out on several other "serious" assignments because of the piece, but the Bunny article proved to be a success. She concludes that "all women are Bunnies," according to society, but that no woman should ever accept sexist and demeaning treatment. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:34:33
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:04657
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Feminism; Journalists
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1985
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Stan Margulies … Producer
- Joan Marks … Co-Producer
- Janette M. Webb … Associate Producer
- Karen Arthur … Director
- Deena Goldstone … Writer
- Lynn Roth … Writer
- Gloria Steinem … Based on the article by
- Paul Chihara … Music by
- Kirstie Alley … Cast, Gloria Steinem
- Cotter Smith … Cast, Ned Holcomb
- Deborah Van Valkenburgh … Cast, Pearl
- Joanna Kerns … Cast, Andrea
- Lisa Pelikan … Cast, Lee
- Delta Burke … Cast, Margie
- Mary Woronov … Cast, Miss Renfro
- Diana Scarwid … Cast, Toby
- Romy Windsor … Cast, Bobbi
- Randi Brooks … Cast, Marybeth
- Dee Dee Rescher … Cast, Hazel
- Chick Vennera … Cast, Frankie
- Stanley Kamel … Cast, Jerry
- James Callahan … Cast, Phil
- Katie Budge … Cast, Gwen
- Madison Mason … Cast, Luther Baines
- Lela Rochon … Cast, Charlotte
- Chanelle Lee … Cast, Sherry
- Charles Winters … Cast, Greg
- Randy Hamilton … Cast, David
- Richard Lefevre … Cast, Willie
- Keith Mills … Cast, Doctor
- Theodore Wilson … Cast, Older Club Employee
- Kenny Long … Cast, Younger Club Employee
- Thomas Bellin … Cast, Chiropodist
- Philip English … Cast, Staring Man
- Tamera Baumberger … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Lisa Marie Gurley … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Precious Powell … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Susan Healis … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Sharon Woods-Taylor … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Shelley Johnson … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Patricia Thomson … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Ginger Miller … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Victoria Wilburn … Cast, Playboy Bunny
- Jaime Taylor … Cast, Playboy Bunny