From the 1900s to the 1960s, this 1964 documentary, produced by the great David Wolper, explores changes in American women’s economic, political, and social statuses. (Notably, persons / experiences covered are almost exclusively white.) The film offers 1960s social critiquesabout women’s “progress,” especially re: motherhood, marriage, war, careers.
Couples kiss, families bid farewell to WWII soldiers. Women march behind male soldier. Women in uniform. Women begin physical training in woods (1:06). Women shoot rifles in the snow (1:23). Women load trucks, board ship, receive camp equipment, dig tents. A female soldier applies makeup and smiles at the camera (1:54). Carol Landis and Anne Sheraton dance for troops (1:57). Lana Turner, Betty Grable (2:24), Rita Hayworth are shown with soldiers. Women dance with gun / plane props (war musical), mention of Rosie the Riveter. Women drill at factory during WWII (2:53), work construction sites, production lines, use tools, make weapons. Women bring children to nursery schools, where they nap, play, eat, wash. Women exist Office of Price Administration (OPA) center (3:49). Ration signs and ration paperwork. Woman shops with stamps. Crowds gather outside city nylon store, women rush in to buy stockings on sale, show them off, wave them around (4:13). Young men (soldiers / sailors) and women dance and hang out (4:37). A woman empties drying rack in yard in wooded suburbia (4:53). A large suburban house in snow (5:16). A woman washes dishes (5:19). Women send letters through postal service. A town street with only female pedestrians visible (5:41). Ships with American flags, soldiers waving, approach USA (5:55). Women and families wave from shore. Soldiers rush to greet family. Crowds hug and kiss, including (for first time in series) a black family (6:43). Reporters document a soldier’s reunion with lover (7:00). Prefab houses are transported by truck and crane (7:25). Small houses are being constructed. Installation of sign: “Vetsburg: University of Wisconsin” (7:43). A young couple does chores together. Male college student reads; wife observes / supports (8:01). Women and young children gather on crowded park benches (8:12). Women hold up infants in a large crowd (8:31). Household machines (“push-button world”) shown, including oven rotisserie (8:38–8:46). Women watch TV while eating from trays (8:53). TV towers (up close then from afar, 9:04–9:18). Red carpet scenes: Marilyn Monroe and other stars laugh / smile. Factory line produce consumer goods (e.g., nail varnish) (9:33). Fancy woman enters “House of Revlon,” luxurious salon (flowers / fountains) (9:50). Spa treatments ensue: nails are done, foot soak / scrub, hair done (10:24–10:40), “individual make-up.” A French makeup artist paints a woman’s face. Pedestrian-level view of a city street up close (11:15, 1950s). Teenage girls walk on a beach (11:33). Co-eds dance on a beach (11:41). Women work white-color jobs (answer calls, organize files, compare design plans) (11:57). Image: Mary McCarthy (12:28). Jacqueline Cochran puts on helmet. Image: War Correspondent Margaret Bourke White. Marian Anderson gives press conference (!2:39). Dr. Maria Mayer interviewed by blackboard (12:43). Writer Jean Kerr works near desk (12:50). Women and kids with shopping carts at market (12:58). Mothers push kids on swings (13:15). Women of all ages sit on benches in public spaces (13:25), including older women outside with pearls. A young woman and friend go to a cafe (13:43). Closeups of 1950s women’s faces. Notable women give interviews to camera on the state of gender identity / women’s status / women’s progress / sexual revolution / “man’s world” / women’s place in society (14:12–17:42), including: Virginia Steele (Editor, McCall’s Magazine; 14:12), Eugenia Shepard (fashion editor, New York Herald), Dorothy Kilgallen (columnist, 13:39), a social critic (15:20), Jill St. John (actress, 16:07), Helen Gurley-Brown (author of “Sex and the Single Girl,” 16:34), and Betty Friedan (“The Feminine Mystique,” 17:00). Girls play tea party in a yard (!7:42) and run in woods with cat. Jacqueline Kennedy de-boards a plane and greets people in India (18:26). Women sit in a crowded hall and receive certificates (19:10). Young girl brushes hair in mirror (19:37). Young woman walks in street with older man (19:45). Women with crying / laughing children (19:58). A family plays and skips on the beach (20:11). Closing credits (20:38–end).
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive,. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
“To be successful as a career woman, you have to be twice as ambitious, three times as smart as any man, and a darn sight more thick-skinned!” (12:13)
