One of the hoariest reasons for the decline in DiD scenarios in mainstream media is that the role is inconsistent with female empowerment, out of touch with today’s societal roles, etc.
This is bunk. Women are still treated badly in today’s media. The only change is that they are treated far more brutally than they would in a classic serial – that’s Hollywood “realism” for you. Apparently it’s better for women in movies and TV to be horrifically murdered than imperiled and saved. Right.
Frankly, I have not had time for TV for years – and I find most of it unwatchable. It’s gruesome for the most part. And it’s not any “faster” than before. It’s actually slower – but more visually kinetic, which is something else entirely. I can process it visuals just fine –it’s not that I am an old slow geezer, and besides, I can, if needed, play video games as fast as anyone. But TV is so often just motionless vibration – and it makes me seasick to watch.
Back to roles. Women still have drastically truncated opportunities in mainstream media. How else do we explain the rise of a Megan Fox? Sure, she’s “hot” – but what exactly does she do? Even La Fox has pointed out that Michael Bay films are not exactly about the craft…..
No, girls still get killed, raped, tied up, drowned, tortured. They are either whores, or arm candy, or “bitches,” and they disappear at 35, only to reappear as wise/benevolent grandmas at, oh, 45. Yes, there is a parallel trend of Meryl Streeps et al who are making a go of it longer than other women – but in action films? Tentpole productions? TV? Forget it. How is this better than the damsel in distress as the centre of attention?
Why then is a DiD role condemned as limiting? If you look at early serials, the women were very independent and capable. Pearl White – I’ll say it – was a proto-feminist in Perils of Pauline, doing things women of the time could usually only dream about. Tell me Lois Lane is not a full, juicy character -- unless portrayed by a humourless bad-school feminist like Margot Kidder. (I am not trying to start a political debate about feminism, I am making a point about Kidder’s treatment of a great role.) The political correctness kills the character, and when you’ve turned a living, breathing character into a poster for any ideology, you’ve disenfranchised not just women, but the human spirit as a whole.
No, I think the problem with old-time DiD scenes is their escapist feel at a time of a cultural fetish of “realism” and authenticity. Even preposterous series like Lost still need to be grounded in a visual and metaphorical language of signs that are easily digestible for a docile public – visual soma. What keeps us from DiD is not the (non-existent) insult to women. It’s that it’s too hard for modern audiences to understand a female action character on TV who isn’t a cartoon.
Very well said. I think you are exactly right. PC has done more to actually remove opportunities, then to add to them for the 'empowerment of all'.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about Pearl and her early film DiD sisters. The only reason she got into peril was because of her adventurous nature. Most of the time, the only way she got out of it was through her own brains and physical skill. And, it wasn't uncommon for her to beat up a weasly Bad Guy in a fair fight.
ReplyDeleteTo see how quickly that changed, contrast that to the 'heroines' of the 1930's-1950's serials (Jungle Girls, and somehow, Linda Stirling, being the exceptions). Remember, the Pearl Whites had to be tied to the tracks; their later incarnations simply fell, twisted their ankles, or got knocked out by the fall.
(Bet you had as little time for that weakling-sissy-girl heroine stuff as I did.)
Uh-huh. *nods*
ReplyDeleteWhat IS an insult to women is the notion that seemingly, even when the situation cries out for a darn good tying up, one is not delivered. Apparently the modern heroine is so feeble that she can be restrained merely by tying her shoelaces together, or some such nonsense.
Or worse than that! The old hands tied loosely in front with a loose piece of tape just barely covering the mouth. And all they do is sit there and sob.
ReplyDeleteThe heroines of old would glower at the villain and struggle furiously when left alone in a deathtrap or as a hostage. And villains didnt' spare the rope either, around the arms, hands legs and a tight wide gag over the mouth as well. This added to the suspense and made it much more exciting.
They could have that for heroines today, adn still please the feminists. What could be more empowering than a damsel escaping from her own distress, while never shedding a tear or even wrinkling her dress? Just like Nancy Drew!