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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

1967 Valley of the Dolls film

32 replies

ZeldaFighter · 09/09/2024 18:22

"Why can't a woman be more like a man?" waiIs one of the male characters. I believe he was a repressed, closeted gay man.

I watched it years ago as my (then new) boyfriend liked it. I now think he simply enjoyed the preponderance of large-breastfed women.

The line stayed with me. It puzzled me as surely not being men was what men liked about women. Then 90s ladette culture had girls who shagged, drank and watched football like boys. Then MTF trans people being much better "women" with their lack of periods or menopause, better sporting performance, male interests etc

Same behaviour, different decades? Interested to hear any thoughts.

OP posts:
ZeldaFighter · 09/09/2024 22:42

CrossPurposes · 09/09/2024 19:00

Are you sure you aren't thinking of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls which is a Russ Meyer film full of grotesquerie and boobs. Valley of the Dolls is a big budget Hollywood melodrama.

Yep, I did mean the huge tits Russ Meyer one. I think I should just stick to reading other women's wise words! I'm not doing very well here!

OP posts:
CrossPurposes · 09/09/2024 19:00

ZeldaFighter · 09/09/2024 18:37

OMG!! I have never seen My Fair Lady - I never knew that!!!

I really don't want to have to watch Valley of the Dolls again 😞

Are you sure you aren't thinking of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls which is a Russ Meyer film full of grotesquerie and boobs. Valley of the Dolls is a big budget Hollywood melodrama.

StoatofDisarray · 09/09/2024 18:44

Thanks for quoting that song in full, I adore it!

username101010 · 09/09/2024 18:39

The feminine has always been negative and masculine positive. Women have been oppressed for milenia and anything associated with women has traditionally been seen as negative.

The patriarchy has a great way of twisting feminism to suit men. Want to work? Cool. You work and still do everything else. Ta. Want to be sexually empowered? Cool. Stripping and sex work is well empowering! Want Equality? Cool. Act like a man, anything else is girly.

ZeldaFighter · 09/09/2024 18:37

OMG!! I have never seen My Fair Lady - I never knew that!!!

I really don't want to have to watch Valley of the Dolls again 😞

OP posts:
HausofHolbein · 09/09/2024 18:34

It's a song from MFL:

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square;
Eternally noble, historically fair.
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat.
Why can't a woman be like that?
Why does every one do what the others do?
Can't a woman learn to use her head?
Why do they do everything their mothers do?
Why don't they grow up, well, like their father instead?
Why can't a woman take after a man?
Men are so pleasant, so easy to please.
Whenever you're with them, you're always at ease.
Would you be slighted if I didn't speak for hours?

COLONEL PICKERING:
Of course not.

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Would you be livid if I had a drink or two?

COLONEL PICKERING:
Nonsense.

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Would you be wounded if I never sent you flowers?

COLONEL PICKERING:
Never.

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Well, why can't a woman be like you?
One man in a million may shout a bit.
Now and then, there's one with slight defects.
One perhaps whose truthfulness you doubt a bit,
But by and large we are a marvelous sex!
Why can't a woman take after a man?
'Cause men are so friendly, good-natured and kind.
A better companion you never will find.
If I were hours late for dinner would you bellow?

COLONEL PICKERING:
Of course not.

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
If I forgot your silly birthday, would you fuss?

COLONEL PICKERING:
Nonsense.

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Would you complain if I took out another fellow?

COLONEL PICKERING:
Never.

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Why can't a woman be like us?
[dialog]

PROFESSOR HIGGINS:
Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so decent, such regular chaps;
Ready to help you through any mishaps;
Ready to buck you up whenever you're glum.
Why can't a woman be a chum?
Why is thinking something women never do?
And why is logic never even tried?
Straightening up their hair is all they ever do.
Why don't they straighten up the mess that's inside?
Why can't a woman behave like a man?
If I was a woman who'd been to a ball,
Been hailed as a princess by one and by all;
Would I start weeping like a bathtub overflowing,
Or carry on as if my home were in a tree?
Would I run off and never tell me where I'm going?
Why can't a woman be like me?

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 09/09/2024 18:28

Isn't that from the 1964 film 'My Fair Lady' sung by Rex Harrison?

(I haven't seen Valley of the Dolls)

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