This document summarizes research on the portrayal of feminism in films from the 1950s through the 1980s. It discusses the focus film Barbarella and why it was chosen, as well as two additional films - Just One of the Guys and How to Marry a Millionaire - and why they were selected. Specific scenes from each film are described that helped investigate how women were depicted. The document also covers what was learned from secondary research sources like books, and mentions primary research in the form of a focus group conducted about Barbarella.

1. Feminism and Film Through the 1950’s to
1980’s

2. •
What were your thoughts on your investigation before
carrying out any research?
Before doing any research I was a little worried about doing any thing to do with
feminism as I had always been very nonchalant towards it, as I thought that it was
an excuse for women to nag some more. However there was a part of me that
really wanted to dive into this subject as I had never really learnt about it and had
never been interested in it enough to actually learn anything.

3. What film is your focus film and why?
Barbarella
This is the pinnacle of feminist films as it shows women in the worst light
possible and it is also in the middle of my key dates.

4. What additional films have you chosen and
why?
Just one of the Guys
I chose this as it is an 80’s film but also shows how men think of women in the enemy lines
and how women perceive men in the way they act as well.
How to Marry A Millionaire
This shows how women in the 50’s were seen and they were seen as money grabbing
women that could not be independent but had to rely on men to give them what they
wanted.

5. Discuss specific scenes from your films that have helped your
investigation
Barbarella:
I have chosen two scenes to which depict how women are portrayed, the specifically show her
using her body for gratitude towards men. The other also shows this but includes how sex can
make a man feel better about himself and that it is a release.
How to Marry a Millionaire:
For this film I have chosen the very end scene when all three women get married to the men that
they have fallen in love for. I have chosen this scene as it shows that women cannot be alone and
that they have to have a man in their life to full fill their needs which includes their money. It also
shows that women can fall in love with men without money and if any thing they are more warm
hearted then the ones that are loaded with the cash.
Just One of the Guys:
I have chosen the scene when Terry decides to dress up and act like a boy to get her article into
the paper. This scene also involves her brother and you get to see how he thinks of women as a
piece of meat and how Terry thinks women are portrayed.

6. What have you found out from secondary research?

7. What pieces of secondary research are excellent
I found that the best secondary research that I found was in books, this is because they have
quotes from feminist around the world and the different opinions that you can find, it also has
more information that you can find reliable then on the internet.

8. What primary research have you done so far?
I have done a focus group for the film Barbarella.
I chose to do a questionnaire and base it on two specific scenes.

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