The Sewing Circle

[sally_sparrow]

Though this particular story doesn't involve women, it is incredibly interesting. If you are not familiar with the Hays Code, this is what that entails: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_Picture_Production_Code

"One director that took advantage of the Hays Code’s twisted leniency was none other than the infamous Alfred Hitchcock. The master of suspense frequently used LGBT people as the perpetrators of his on-screen murders. An example of this can be found in his 1948 movie, Rope. On the surface, the film was about two intellectual friends who kill a fellow classmate because they believe themselves to be superior to him. However, it does not take an “intellectual superior” to realize that the two murderers are more than just friends. In fact, these characters were based on “notorious real-life killers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, lovers who kidnapped and killed a boy as an intellectual experiment in staging the perfect crime” (Lewis 262). Although their sexuality can only be subtly hinted due to the restrictions of the Hays Code, it is clear that Hitchcock made the effort to emphasis that their homosexual relationship was one of the possible roots of their villainy. The fact that homosexual people are still rendered in this fashion in more recent cinema has proven particularly disturbing due to its harmful effect on the LGBT community."

More from this article here:
https://filmicmag.com/2015/08/01/from-sissies-to-secrecy-the-evolution-of-the-hays-code-queer/

https://filmicmag.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/rope11-e1438456409637.jpg?w=610&h=410

 

[stickygirl]

I hadn't heard of the Hitchcock film.

This clip from The Children's Hour 1961 with Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine makes a difficult watch: amazing that it was a mainstream film. The word 'chose' comes up, something like 'some people choose to life that way' which was a lightbulb moment for me. So often we hear trolls describe being gay as a choice, but here the message is plain - the only choice is admitting to your feelings and not hiding them anymore.

 

[sally_sparrow]

I hadn't heard of the Hitchcock film.

This clip from The Children's Hour 1961 with Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine makes a difficult watch: amazing that it was a mainstream film. The word 'chose' comes up, something like 'some people choose to life that way' which was a lightbulb moment for me. So often we hear trolls describe being gay as a choice, but here the message is plain - the only choice is admitting to your feelings and not hiding them anymore.

Thank you for sharing this stickygirl. Sorry that I missed it weeks ago! I have never seen this movie before, but these are two wonderful actresses. I think I'll have to have a watch soon.

 

[stickygirl]

I finally got to see Vita and Virginia as it's been on my list for a while and I wasn't disappointed - quite the opposite. I know I'm guilty of gushing enthusiastically when I've seen something and reporting on it, but I learned so much from this film: about love; it's power and intoxication and the emotional danger it can bring as well.

I mentioned to a friend when we were discussing films, that surely the mark of any work of art is that it stays with you for days and challenges your understanding and this is certainly one of those. If nothing else, I will be visiting the smelly hippie second hand bookstore, because I bet he has a copy of Orlando: Virginia Woolf's breakout book. Aaargh - so much to learn, so little time.

 

[sally_sparrow]

I finally got to see Vita and Virginia as it's been on my list for a while and I wasn't disappointed - quite the opposite. I know I'm guilty of gushing enthusiastically when I've seen something and reporting on it, but I learned so much from this film: about love; it's power and intoxication and the emotional danger it can bring as well.

I mentioned to a friend when we were discussing films, that surely the mark of any work of art is that it stays with you for days and challenges your understanding and this is certainly one of those. If nothing else, I will be visiting the smelly hippie second hand bookstore, because I bet he has a copy of Orlando: Virginia Woolf's breakout book. Aaargh - so much to learn, so little time.

I must see it now as well. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Jerseyshore]

Though this particular story doesn't involve women, it is incredibly interesting. If you are not familiar with the Hays Code, this is what that entails: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_Picture_Production_Code

"One director that took advantage of the Hays Code’s twisted leniency was none other than the infamous Alfred Hitchcock. The master of suspense frequently used LGBT people as the perpetrators of his on-screen murders. An example of this can be found in his 1948 movie, Rope. On the surface, the film was about two intellectual friends who kill a fellow classmate because they believe themselves to be superior to him. However, it does not take an “intellectual superior” to realize that the two murderers are more than just friends. In fact, these characters were based on “notorious real-life killers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, lovers who kidnapped and killed a boy as an intellectual experiment in staging the perfect crime” (Lewis 262). Although their sexuality can only be subtly hinted due to the restrictions of the Hays Code, it is clear that Hitchcock made the effort to emphasis that their homosexual relationship was one of the possible roots of their villainy. The fact that homosexual people are still rendered in this fashion in more recent cinema has proven particularly disturbing due to its harmful effect on the LGBT community."

More from this article here:
https://filmicmag.com/2015/08/01/from-sissies-to-secrecy-the-evolution-of-the-hays-code-queer/

https://filmicmag.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/rope11-e1438456409637.jpg?w=610&h=410

Interesting background for two of the male leads, John Dall and Farley Granger. Both were gay or bi and plahyed,as noted, pretty much gay lovers in Rope.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dall#Personal_life
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farley_Granger

 

[sally_sparrow]

https://64.media.tumblr.com/be076b8d2518d946d4b80b5b6b8d2bec/955f565539458088-d3/s1280x1920/e2cf3980ddc3270d2a3c699908a6f09da326fa6c.jpg

"The season's most provocative lesbian sequence was in Cecil B. DeMille's The Sign of the Cross (1932). The film, adapted from an 1895 British stage play, depicts the conflict between a Christian community and the powerful Roman state, headed by Nero (Charles Laughton). Nero's right-hand man, Marcus Superbus (Fredric March), falls in love with a young Christian woman, Mercia (Elissa Landi). Though he tries to bring her around to the Roman way of life, her faith eventually inspires him to face the lions with her. Despite the film's Christian message, it was packed with eroticized, violent spectacle, including gorillas and alligators attacking nearly nude women in chains, a battle between Amazons and Little People, and packs of lions attacking and eating Christians. Reprising the bacchanalia in Manslaughter (1930), female same-sex desire is embedded in the sexual excess of ancient Rome. There are no female inverts, although some of the men are sissyish, particularly Nero. The first potentially lesbian moment occurs when Nero's wife, Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), bathes in a pool of asse's milk. After slipping off her robe and lowering herself into the milk, Poppaea invites a female slave to join her. The camera modestly looks away, panning to two cats lapping milk from the edge of the pool. This look away suggests that a sexual encounter might occur; the lapping cats intimate oral sex."

-From Girls Will Be Boys Cross-Dressed Women, Lesbians, and American Cinema, 1908-1934 by Laura Horak

 

[Jerseyshore]

Ah, Miss Colbert and the rumors...
https://365daysoflesbians.tumblr.com/post/165310136569/september-13-claudette-colbert-1903-1996

 

[stickygirl]

May I squeak? I do mean squeak not speak because the two letters sit at opposite ends of the keyboard like grumpy children.
I recently mentioned Vita and Virginia that stars Gemma Arterton and she's been at it again in her latest film,just released so you'll have to wear Hazmat suits to see it in the cinema.Summerland trailer [2 mins]
Her bio points towards a hetero sexuality... yea, right
side note: hazmat suits hide everything

 

[Jerseyshore]

May I squeak? I do mean squeak not speak because the two letters sit at opposite ends of the keyboard like grumpy children.
I recently mentioned Vita and Virginia that stars Gemma Arterton and she's been at it again in her latest film,just released so you'll have to wear Hazmat suits to see it in the cinema.Summerland trailer [2 mins]
Her bio points towards a hetero sexuality... yea, right
side note: hazmat suits hide everything

Do they now? *WEG*

 

[Jerseyshore]

https://64.media.tumblr.com/be076b8d2518d946d4b80b5b6b8d2bec/955f565539458088-d3/s1280x1920/e2cf3980ddc3270d2a3c699908a6f09da326fa6c.jpg

"The season's most provocative lesbian sequence was in Cecil B. DeMille's The Sign of the Cross (1932). The film, adapted from an 1895 British stage play, depicts the conflict between a Christian community and the powerful Roman state, headed by Nero (Charles Laughton). Nero's right-hand man, Marcus Superbus (Fredric March), falls in love with a young Christian woman, Mercia (Elissa Landi). Though he tries to bring her around to the Roman way of life, her faith eventually inspires him to face the lions with her. Despite the film's Christian message, it was packed with eroticized, violent spectacle, including gorillas and alligators attacking nearly nude women in chains, a battle between Amazons and Little People, and packs of lions attacking and eating Christians. Reprising the bacchanalia in Manslaughter (1930), female same-sex desire is embedded in the sexual excess of ancient Rome. There are no female inverts, although some of the men are sissyish, particularly Nero. The first potentially lesbian moment occurs when Nero's wife, Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), bathes in a pool of asse's milk. After slipping off her robe and lowering herself into the milk, Poppaea invites a female slave to join her. The camera modestly looks away, panning to two cats lapping milk from the edge of the pool. This look away suggests that a sexual encounter might occur; the lapping cats intimate oral sex."

-From Girls Will Be Boys Cross-Dressed Women, Lesbians, and American Cinema, 1908-1934 by Laura Horak

Not sure if Nero was a sissy ion real life, but Charles Laughton was quite bisexual in real life. His wife, Elsa (Bride of Frankenstein) Lanchester notes in her autobiography that she came home and discovered her husband and a young man entwined on the couch. The matter was settled, but she had the couch junked ASAP.

 

[sally_sparrow]

Ah, Miss Colbert and the rumors...
https://365daysoflesbians.tumblr.com/post/165310136569/september-13-claudette-colbert-1903-1996

She did get around, didn't she?

May I squeak? I do mean squeak not speak because the two letters sit at opposite ends of the keyboard like grumpy children.
I recently mentioned Vita and Virginia that stars Gemma Arterton and she's been at it again in her latest film,just released so you'll have to wear Hazmat suits to see it in the cinema.Summerland trailer [2 mins]
Her bio points towards a hetero sexuality... yea, right
side note: hazmat suits hide everything

Just watched the trailer and it gave me chills when she asked "Do you think it's weird?" and he replied, No. (shivers again)

Not sure if Nero was a sissy ion real life, but Charles Laughton was quite bisexual in real life. His wife, Elsa (Bride of Frankenstein) Lanchester notes in her autobiography that she came home and discovered her husband and a young man entwined on the couch. The matter was settled, but she had the couch junked ASAP.

Couldn't even stand to look at the couch lol. I wonder how the matter was "settled"?

 

[fire515]

Not sure if Nero was a sissy ion real life, but Charles Laughton was quite bisexual in real life. His wife, Elsa (Bride of Frankenstein) Lanchester notes in her autobiography that she came home and discovered her husband and a young man entwined on the couch. The matter was settled, but she had the couch junked ASAP.

read a book on Hollywood stories called Full Service by Scott Bowers and read about Laughton's 'tastes' in men

 

[sally_sparrow]

"In the 1920s, the sexologist Sigmund Freud clearly demarcated the modern view of lesbians in Western culture. Freud argues that lesbians behave 'promiscuously and aren't capable of a grown-up romantic relationship.' In his article "The Sexual Aberrations," he describes lesbians as women who suffer from a 'childhood trauma' and are incapable of any further development. Freud's theories quickly became well-known beyond the medical community; his theories influenced other sexologists who finally 'classified lesbianism as a disorder.' Ultimately, this lead to the widespread conclusion in American society that lesbianism was, indeed, a mental illness. Freudian psychoanalysis as well as the Post Freudians' influence drastically 'changed people's perceptions of female "romantic relationships" from a state of near harmlessness to the "unnatural." From this, mainstream America became more and more 'suspicious of love between women," and a cultural climate was created that 'sought to eliminate any images that might be perceived as condoning such perverse behavior.'"

-From Living on the Edge - Gay and Lesbian Representation in 'Hollywood's Motion Picture Productions' and Its Impact on the American Spectatorship by Anonym

https://64.media.tumblr.com/8b081a9f10d55062eb9a20d792c4f736/f6c1371cd0e1a143-d8/s1280x1920/2651676b21c614e5bda16ab9712af3dda29958b3.jpg

 

[sally_sparrow]

Mildred Harris and Billie Dove in Heart of a Follies Girl (1928)

https://64.media.tumblr.com/b38bf87bf35d956e1e015f410a5fda95/tumblr_n8h107vsun1ry8b8eo1_r1_540.jpg

 

[stickygirl]

"In the 1920s, the sexologist Sigmund Freud clearly demarcated the modern view of lesbians in Western culture. Freud argues that lesbians behave 'promiscuously and aren't capable of a grown-up romantic relationship.' In his article "The Sexual Aberrations," he describes lesbians as women who suffer from a 'childhood trauma' and are incapable of any further development. Freud's theories quickly became well-known beyond the medical community; his theories influenced other sexologists who finally 'classified lesbianism as a disorder.' Ultimately, this lead to the widespread conclusion in American society that lesbianism was, indeed, a mental illness. Freudian psychoanalysis as well as the Post Freudians' influence drastically 'changed people's perceptions of female "romantic relationships" from a state of near harmlessness to the "unnatural." From this, mainstream America became more and more 'suspicious of love between women," and a cultural climate was created that 'sought to eliminate any images that might be perceived as condoning such perverse behavior.'"

-From Living on the Edge - Gay and Lesbian Representation in 'Hollywood's Motion Picture Productions' and Its Impact on the American Spectatorship by Anonym

Hmm lets see..
behave promiscuously - check
disorderly lesbian - check
unnatural - kinda
love between women - check
perverse behaviour - absolutely


Freud really needed help more than his patients: something that is recognised today and should be no surprise to anyone who been involved with menatl health professionals. There are still 'disorders' listed in DSM-5 that really shouldn't be stigmatised by association but OTOH if individual's problems are not listed, they don't qualify for assistance. Catch 22

Mildred Harris and Billie Dove in Heart of a Follies Girl (1928)

https://64.media.tumblr.com/b38bf87bf35d956e1e015f410a5fda95/tumblr_n8h107vsun1ry8b8eo1_r1_540.jpg

That is pretty shocking! Smoking in bed

 

[Jerseyshore]

She did get around, didn't she?



Just watched the trailer and it gave me chills when she asked "Do you think it's weird?" and he replied, No. (shivers again)



Couldn't even stand to look at the couch lol. I wonder how the matter was "settled"?

She pretty much accepted that he was bisexual...well, more or less...

 

[Jerseyshore]

"In the 1920s, the sexologist Sigmund Freud clearly demarcated the modern view of lesbians in Western culture. Freud argues that lesbians behave 'promiscuously and aren't capable of a grown-up romantic relationship.' In his article "The Sexual Aberrations," he describes lesbians as women who suffer from a 'childhood trauma' and are incapable of any further development. Freud's theories quickly became well-known beyond the medical community; his theories influenced other sexologists who finally 'classified lesbianism as a disorder.' Ultimately, this lead to the widespread conclusion in American society that lesbianism was, indeed, a mental illness. Freudian psychoanalysis as well as the Post Freudians' influence drastically 'changed people's perceptions of female "romantic relationships" from a state of near harmlessness to the "unnatural." From this, mainstream America became more and more 'suspicious of love between women," and a cultural climate was created that 'sought to eliminate any images that might be perceived as condoning such perverse behavior.'"

-From Living on the Edge - Gay and Lesbian Representation in 'Hollywood's Motion Picture Productions' and Its Impact on the American Spectatorship by Anonym

Hmm lets see..
behave promiscuously - check
disorderly lesbian - check
unnatural - kinda
love between women - check
perverse behaviour - absolutely


Freud really needed help more than his patients: something that is recognised today and should be no surprise to anyone who been involved with menatl health professionals. There are still 'disorders' listed in DSM-5 that really shouldn't be stigmatised by association but OTOH if individual's problems are not listed, they don't qualify for assistance. Catch 22


That is pretty shocking! Smoking in bed

Women smoking was considered sexy by movie makers and was used as a prop to show sexy behavior. Particularly in the pre-Hayes days, it was also used as a sign she had just had sex.

Joan Blondell & Lilyan Tashman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPgsy58v0fI

Lesbian rumores persisted about Ms. Tashman and her supposed "lavender marriage." She died young of cancer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilyan_Tashman

 

[sally_sparrow]

Boom

https://64.media.tumblr.com/9f3f533d46c456825d1ef9a91b096931/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo1_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/96947517e46413d9251f3c0545f6e7f9/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo2_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/3497631b791df06949ccb76394856cf7/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo3_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/658fe814e2e090a407c674ee851f617b/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo4_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/563818e54fb85e0f92c7a853c11db26b/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo5_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/841940cfb7ffa5e63afb97fa6e986051/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo6_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/dfd7f83c726f3e6baa9835796f977d8b/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo7_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/62c5729da6676ca561e4eae67dd662f7/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo8_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/41789600998a96914264ba7f62fad9f1/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo9_250.gifvhttps://64.media.tumblr.com/8a9c49b30a67ceb1b4a8a9fdcec2cf72/tumblr_mofcbsHc1P1qd48zdo10_250.gifv

Joan Crawford in Possessed (1931)

 

[sally_sparrow]

"In the 1920s, the sexologist Sigmund Freud clearly demarcated the modern view of lesbians in Western culture. Freud argues that lesbians behave 'promiscuously and aren't capable of a grown-up romantic relationship.' In his article "The Sexual Aberrations," he describes lesbians as women who suffer from a 'childhood trauma' and are incapable of any further development. Freud's theories quickly became well-known beyond the medical community; his theories influenced other sexologists who finally 'classified lesbianism as a disorder.' Ultimately, this lead to the widespread conclusion in American society that lesbianism was, indeed, a mental illness. Freudian psychoanalysis as well as the Post Freudians' influence drastically 'changed people's perceptions of female "romantic relationships" from a state of near harmlessness to the "unnatural." From this, mainstream America became more and more 'suspicious of love between women," and a cultural climate was created that 'sought to eliminate any images that might be perceived as condoning such perverse behavior.'"

-From Living on the Edge - Gay and Lesbian Representation in 'Hollywood's Motion Picture Productions' and Its Impact on the American Spectatorship by Anonym

Hmm lets see..
behave promiscuously - check
disorderly lesbian - check
unnatural - kinda
love between women - check
perverse behaviour - absolutely


Freud really needed help more than his patients: something that is recognised today and should be no surprise to anyone who been involved with menatl health professionals. There are still 'disorders' listed in DSM-5 that really shouldn't be stigmatised by association but OTOH if individual's problems are not listed, they don't qualify for assistance. Catch 22


That is pretty shocking! Smoking in bed

Freud certainly needed more help than his patients and I'm sure made many people worse than what they were before receiving his expertise. The DSM manual needs a major update. As far as I know it's been over 20 years since it's last update. I can only imagine what is still listed as disease and disorders.

 

[Jerseyshore]

read a book on Hollywood stories called Full Service by Scott Bowers and read about Laughton's 'tastes' in men

Mr. Bowers claims to have been a procurer for same-sex partners for various stars, and says he participated in several trysts with stars.

 

[Jerseyshore]

Ms. Crawford had an exciting iife
http://gomag.com/article/queer-women-history-forgot-joan-crawford/

 

[sally_sparrow]

Ms. Crawford had an exciting iife
http://gomag.com/article/queer-women-history-forgot-joan-crawford/

I'll have to keep an eye out for that show. I love Joan Crawford. I read a biography about hey a few years ago and have been fascinated by her life ever since!

 

[fire515]

Mr. Bowers claims to have been a procurer for same-sex partners for various stars, and says he participated in several trysts with stars.

"claims" being the operative word! some of his stories might be bs but they're damn hot

 

[Jerseyshore]

"claims" being the operative word! some of his stories might be bs but they're damn hot

If you believe Mr. Bqwers there was a dizzying number of gay, lesbian, etc. members of the Hollywood community that indulged in his services. I suspect there is some truth to his allegations about some of the figures in question (there is a great deal of confirmation from other sources on some of them), buyt I also think it shows that Hollywood was no less creative and exciting a place in the "golden age" as it is today. Such an atmosphere tends to attract creative people with a taste for adventure; hence a fair number of queer people are part of that community.

One thing I find as I study queer history is how many of our brithers and sisters from the past were known in that movie community of the time to be queer and how they more or less got away with it and had long, productive careers. We are used to modern Hollywood and its mad rush to be "woke" on queer issues, but imagine a queer actor being part of creating a world of WASP, middle-class life that (iroinically) was created by largely immigrant Jewish studio owners and executives. I strongly suggest Neal Gabler's "An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood" for that amazing story. Queer performers may have had to fit into that world professionally, but in their private lives it was much different in many cases. Within sometimes harsh limits they tried to be themselves.