Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

seaglass

(8,171 posts)
Mon Oct 13, 2014, 04:36 PM Oct 2014

Don't really know what to say about this except maybe, how unsurprising?

Marlo Thomas recalling when she and Gloria Steinem met...

"Thomas said she and Steinem hatched an idea for a TV movie based on Steinem’s 1963 exposé, “A Bunny’s Tale,” in which Steinem went undercover as a Playboy Bunny.

But when they pitched the project, a male Hollywood producer didn’t quite get the feminist angle.

“We go into this guy’s office, in our glorious 20s,” Thomas recalled. “And we’re sitting opposite the desk .?.?. and he looks at us and says, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know which one of you I want to (bleep) first!’?”

She added, “We were just flabbergasted. Where do you go from there? It ruined everything.” "

http://pagesix.com/2014/10/10/marlo-thomas-was-propositioned-by-a-hollywood-mogul/

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Don't really know what to say about this except maybe, how unsurprising? (Original Post) seaglass Oct 2014 OP
"Hit it Sweetheart, I really like your look." johnp3907 Oct 2014 #1
And many thought "Mad Men" was exaggerating. HA!..n/t monmouth3 Oct 2014 #2
This is my unshocked face mercuryblues Oct 2014 #3
fugger. actually. arent we told we are suppose to take that as a compliment, right? nt seabeyond Oct 2014 #4
btw. love both women. nt seabeyond Oct 2014 #5
Classy guy sheshe2 Oct 2014 #6
Hollywood always had problems. Don't recall any women being treated fairly there. freshwest Oct 2014 #7
Some people discount it JustAnotherGen Oct 2014 #8
one might also read up on kirk douglas's rape of natalie wood. seabeyond Oct 2014 #10
I believe her JustAnotherGen Oct 2014 #11
Just think how many people buy into their sense of entitlement now. The 'media is the massage' of freshwest Oct 2014 #12
I think it was always bad JustAnotherGen Oct 2014 #13
I'm trying to figure it out JustAnotherGen Oct 2014 #9
There was a made-for-TV movie wryter2000 Oct 2014 #14

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
7. Hollywood always had problems. Don't recall any women being treated fairly there.
Tue Oct 14, 2014, 12:22 AM
Oct 2014

As far as the propositions go, I didn't get those as often as proposals.

Total strangers or casual friends or class mates who out of the blue asked me to meet their mothers, or marry them. Promising me all kinds of stuff.

So I started wearing an engagement ring. Some still didn't get the hint. They still kept it up for some reason.

As Benedick said, 'The world must be peopled.'

This producer had such a sense of entitlement it's in my 'Well, ain't he just so special' box. Otherwise called the 'Jerk' box.

I wonder if there's ever been a survey of how many women got the 'casting couch' treatment. Or how many got their lives destroyed if they said yes, or if they said no.

I'm glad that Marlo and Gloria still suceeded in everything they ever did, and had no real need for employment from the Jerk.

JustAnotherGen

(31,828 posts)
8. Some people discount it
Tue Oct 14, 2014, 11:25 AM
Oct 2014

But the Hollywood Babylon books and the two "You'll Never Make Love In This Town Again&quot couldn't even sue it was so true) books gave pretty clear illustrations of how things work in the 'wood.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
10. one might also read up on kirk douglas's rape of natalie wood.
Tue Oct 14, 2014, 11:51 AM
Oct 2014

reading different accts, and coming to ones own conclusion.

JustAnotherGen

(31,828 posts)
11. I believe her
Tue Oct 14, 2014, 12:05 PM
Oct 2014

I absolutely believe her. I love movies/cinema/film - the industry - old Hollywood lore, studio systems, etc. etc. There is just enough out there - that says - I believe her.

Just like I believe Shirley Temple/

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
12. Just think how many people buy into their sense of entitlement now. The 'media is the massage' of
Tue Oct 14, 2014, 03:04 PM
Oct 2014

so many minds and hearts. I've observed the changes over many years, and how pervasive it is in culture. We really don't seem to own our brains, they do.

Just read your other posts on this in the thread, and was unaware of what was happening to those women. It's too bad that this is where the money is concentrated in. It could be a great medium for ideas and history.

I feel most content is putting out 'feelers' like Rush's 'jokes' to see what people will imitate in their treatment of others. And it's very negative.

JustAnotherGen

(31,828 posts)
13. I think it was always bad
Tue Oct 14, 2014, 03:20 PM
Oct 2014

In the 1920's we had so much 'real life' on the screen. Then enter the Hays Codes. And a 38 year studio system of 'secrets' and power plays comes about. And then the American New Wave is set free (think Wild Bunch, Midnight Cowboy - maybe even Bonnie and Clyde were the start) and we moved into down and dirty pictures. Then we have Don Simpson and his 'high concept'.

Thank god - God is gonna get me for this - for the Weinsteins, Sundance, and Sex Lies and Video Tape - because if not -

We never would have had something like Thelma and Louise to hold on to.

But somewhere in all of it - there are a lot of used and abused souls that have been thrown away.

And we buy it. Or we don't. I'll never see a Michael Bay film. To me - he's one of the worst of the worst out there. It's the line I draw. I can't 'see everything' as a consumer - but if I 'know' - I don't go.

JustAnotherGen

(31,828 posts)
9. I'm trying to figure it out
Tue Oct 14, 2014, 11:39 AM
Oct 2014

It ended up being a made for tv film - I think it starred Kirstie Alley - I recall seeing it many years ago. But probably looooong after their first pitch.

So it's the 1960's right?

Sidney Sheldon
Aaron Spelling
Normal Lear
Dino De Laurentis
Robert Evans (I dunno - not likely - he would have been out of their reach)
Possibly Carl Reiner??? Though I'd like to think not.

I'm leaning towards Sheldon . ..

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»History of Feminism»Don't really know what to...