"Glen or Glenda" tells two stories. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Glen or Glenda begins with a narrator, called The Scientist (Bela Lugosi), making cryptic comments about humanity. Written and directed by Ed Wood. [2], The dreams continues with a strange series of vignettes. Take care! Glen or Glenda is a 1953 American exploitation film written, directed by and starring Ed Wood (credited in his starring role as "Daniel Davis"), and featuring Bela Lugosi and Wood's then-girlfriend Dolores Fuller. Throughout GLEN OR GLENDA, a mysterious commentator, The Scientist (Bela Lugosi), interrupts the story line to place societal disapproval of transvestism into perspective. Dirks,Tim. This is, without question, one of the loopiest productions ever put on celluloid, chock full of nonsensical dialogue, amateurishly wooden acting (in fact, Ed's hammy attempt at acting was something out of a 1930s B movie), illogically inserted stock footage (gotta love the stampeding buffalo), and various leaps of logic and good taste. They first heard of sex change operations during the War while recovering from combat wounds in a hospital. [2][3] She has no idea that certain of her clothes are fetish objects for him. Glen or Glenda Glen or Glenda: Confessions of Ed Wood He or She I Changed My Sex I Led 2 Lives I Led Two Lives The Transvestite. Long live the Ed Wood cult! They decide to tell Barbara the truth. One is about Glen, who secretly dresses as a woman but is afraid to tell his fiancée Barbara. "[2] This serves as the introduction to an extended dream sequence. [2], The dream returns to Glen, who is haunted by sounds of mocking voices and howling winds. They were an outsider as a child, trying to be one of the girls and consequently rejected by schoolmates of both sexes. He first comments that humanity's constant search for the unknown results in startling things coming to light. Nomination Year: 1995 SYNOPSIS: A horrific and pointless glimpse into the life of a 1950's transvestite. Beware! He is executed in the sequel Death of a Transvestite (1967) after a struggle for the right to go to the electric chair dressed as Glenda. A psychiatrist tells the stories of a transvestite (Glen or Glenda) and a pseudohermaphrodite (Alan or Anne). Glen Or Glenda (Colorized) In 1953, the incomparable Edward Wood Jr. made his directorial debut with GLEN OR GLENDA, a heartfelt apologia for transvestism. "Glen or Glenda" tells two stories. Newly scanned from an ultra-rare film print by AGFA + Something Weird! Check out our gallery of the 2021 Oscar nominees in the leading and supporting acting categories, as the characters they so brilliantly played and in real life. The Scientist cryptically comments "Beware! The film is a docudrama about cross-dressing and transvestitism, and is semi-autobiographical in nature. In spite, or perhaps because, of these elements, GLEN OR GLENDA is a thoroughly entertaining and endearing piece of high weirdness. Glen or Glenda (1953) is a high profile character assassination on my father. Glen or Glenda is a 1953 movie about a male transvestite.It was written and directed by Ed Wood.It stars Ed Wood as Glen and Glenda, and features Bela Lugosi and Wood's then-girlfriend Dolores Fuller.. A couple driving to a cemetery looking for inspiration for a horror story encounters the dancing dead. "Citing Website" The History of Film - The 1950s: The Cold War and Post-Classical Era, The Era of Epic Films, and the Threat of Television, Part 1. A mad doctor attempts to create atomic supermen. Use the HTML below. The Devil and spectres also shift to mocking Glenda. Then Barbara is depicted trapped under a tree, while the room around is in a chaotic state. [2] A victorious Glenda sees Barbara and approaches her, but she turns into a mocking Devil. They return home in obvious anguish, when the sound of thunder causes them to collapse to the floor. Posters for the film publicize the movie as being based on Jorgensen. [2] The whipping scene suggests a Master/slave relationship. [2][3], This last comment starts the narrative of the film. The voice of a little girl provides the answers in an apparently mocking tone. Glen or Glenda? ", Horror Highlights: Ithaqa, Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival, Troma, Servant, TV News Roundup: HBO Announces ‘Lovecraft Country’ Premiere Date, Chapter 11: The Very Best of the Berry Worst. Of course, after Ed Wood got his hands on the basic storyline, he altered it so as to tell the story of his own transvestitism and to plead for greater tolerance and understanding; set against the staid morals of the early 1950s, Ed's pleading was actually ahead of its time.Now, in wanting to tell this story, but in being constrained by both a shoestring budget and some rather bizarrely unusual filmaking instincts, Ed's efforts went sharply astray. He sits in a chair surrounded by skeletons appearing like the host of a horror film show. Domestically, the film was limited in release, having been pre-sold to some theaters (under alternative titles such including I Led Two Lives, He or She? is a 1953 exploitation film written by, directed by and starring Ed Wood. A daily show in which the Amazing Criswell outlines his predictions for the weeks and months ahead. Ballantine Books. Wood played the eponymous character, but under the pseudonym "Daniel Davis". Two friends visit her and she tells them she wants to go to Chinatown. The mocking voices return. The critic Leonard Maltin names Glen or Glenda as "possibly the worst movie ever made". [6] His then-girlfriend, Dolores Fuller, played Glen's girlfriend/fiancée Barbara. J. Spurlin. The film also has flashbacks-within-flashbacks and a strange dream sequence; Inspector Warren's investigation of a transvestite's suicide leads him to learn more about men in women's clothes; Johnny's wife leaves him when she discovers what he wears while she's away; Barbara is oblivious to her fiancé Glen's desire to wear her angora sweater; Satan invades Glen's nightmare; and The Scientist only offers cryptic advice like "Beware of the big green dragon that sits on your doorstep." In the 1950s, Wood directed several low-budget science fiction, crime and horror films, notably Glen or Glenda (1953), Jail Bait (1954), Bride of the Monster (1955), Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), Night of the Ghouls (1959) and The Sinister Urge (1960). The other is about Alan, a pseudohermaphrodite who undergoes a painful operation to become a woman. [2] While not organic parts of the narrative, they seem to tell their own tales of gender dynamics and so fit in the general themes of the film. Vic Brady draws young Don Gregor into a life of crime. A woman tears apart her dress in a dramatic manner, then starts a coy striptease. Dr. Alton points out that men's clothes are dull and restrictive, whereas women can adorn themselves with attractive and comfortable clothing. Since they would continue wearing women's clothing, subsequent arrests and imprisonment were only a matter of time. But most of these "new" discoveries are actually quite old, which he refers to as "the signs of the ages". Glen or Glenda is a 1953 American exploitation film written, directed by and starring Ed Wood (credited in his starring role as "Daniel Davis"), and featuring Bela Lugosi and Wood's then-girlfriend Dolores Fuller. Glen or Glenda is an exploitation film written, directed by, and starring Ed Wood, and featuring Bela Lugosi and Wood's then-girlfriend Dolores Fuller. She offers them an angora sweater as a sign of acceptance. After a naive real estate agent succumbs to the will of Count Dracula, the two head to London where the vampire sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night. Wood himself was a cross-dresser, and the film is a plea for tolerance. The other is about Alan, a pseudohermaphrodite who undergoes a painful operation to become a woman. View production, box office, & company info, "Glen or Glenda" tells two stories. Although Glen is known as nice, his twin Glenda may have don… Edward Davis Wood Jr. (October 10, 1924 – December 10, 1978) was an American filmmaker, actor, and author. In the theatrical trailer, included in laserdisc and DVD editions, the scene in which Fuller hands over her angora sweater, is a different take than the one in the release version — in the trailer, she tosses it to Wood in a huff, while the release version shows her handing it over more acceptingly. Glen or Glenda (title changed from I Changed My Sex!) Written by Within the room is an unidentified man who opens the door to a physician, a photographer, and the police. One is about Glen, who secretly dresses as a woman but is afraid to tell his fiancée Barbara. He eats little boys, puppy dog tails, and big, fat snails! However, it has become a cult film due to its low-budget production values and idiosyncratic style. and I Changed My Sex). So they ended their own life and wished to be buried with their women's clothing. She voices her suspicion that there is another woman in his life, unaware that the woman is his feminine alter ego, Glenda. The World War II veteran becomes a "lovely young lady". Čeština: Glen or Glenda (Glen nebo Glenda) dokumentární film z roku 1953 režiséra Eda Wooda na téma crossdressing a transsexualita. That the man is dominant and the woman submissive, seems to reflect male chauvinism. Evil aliens attack Earth and set their terrible "Plan 9" into action. The scene effectively concludes their story. But most of these “new” discoveries are actually quite old, which he refers to as “the signs of the ages”. ", A woman is dying in her apartment. The cries of a newborn baby are followed by the sirens of an ambulance. Weldon, Michael (1983). It was produced by George Weiss who also made the exploitation film Test Tube Babies that same year. Then she starts mocking her lover. "[7], It was denied classification by the British Board of Film Classification upon submission on February 26, 1958.[8]. They eventually did have a sex change operation, enduring the associated pains to fulfill their dreams. He talks on and on about dragons eating little boys. The first time you see it, you won't believe what you are seeing. [2] The flirtatious and striptease-themed vignettes were typical of 1950s exploitation films and grindhouse films, as was the rape scene. Dance to that for which one is made! (40)IMDb 4.21 h 8 min195313+ A psychiatrist tells two stories: one of a transvestite (Glen or Glenda), the other of a pseudohermaphrodite (Alan or Anne). Those who have seen Tim Burton's fine tribute film, ED WOOD, know the story behind this; an inexperienced filmmaker named Edward D. Wood, Jr. talked an exploitation movie producer into hiring him to direct what was initially meant to be the story of Christine Jorgenson, the first (and heavily publicized) case of surgically induced transexualism; this project was alternately to be called "The Christine Jorgenson Story," and later (after Jorgenson changed her mind), "I Changed My Sex." [5] Wood convinced Weiss that his own transvestism made him the perfect director despite his modest resume. It features Bela Lugosi and Wood's then-girlfriend, Dolores Fuller. Internationally, the film was also limited, and in France and Belgium, the title was translated as Louis ou Louise and in Argentina as Yo Cambié Mi Sexo (I changed my sex); the film had a brief screening in the Republic of China. At the time this move was reassessed the world would have clearly seen this as a joke about my father and I do imagine that many people would actually believe that Glen or Glenda … 2 of 3 people found this review helpful. Glenda is replaced by Glen, who completes the task with ease. As the aliens resurrect the dead of the Earth, the lives of the living are in danger. He is soon confronted by two spectral figures. A woman is whipped by a shirtless man in a BDSM-themed vignette. He was born a boy, but his mother wanted a girl and raised him as such. Glen or Glenda is told through flashbacks, voice-overs, and odd camera angles. A remake of the film, entitled Glen & Glenda, was released the same year as Ed Wood and featured much the same script as the original film, as well as explicit scenes. It is widely considered one of the worst films ever made. Barbara starts appearing and disappearing, always evading Glenda's embrace. Later, the scene turns to the streets of a city, with the narrator commenting that each human has his/her own thoughts, ideas, and personality. It was produced by George Weiss who also made the exploitation film Test Tube Babies that same year.[1]. is billed as starring Bela Lugosi yet he has no place in the film. "The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film". Both stories are told by Dr. Alton, who also delivers an earnest lecture on tolerance and understanding. The life which has ended is that of a transvestite named Patrick/Patricia, who has committed suicide. In 1980, Wood was posthumously given the accolade of 'Worst Director of All Time' at the Golden Turkey Awards, and revival of interest in his work followed. The other is about Alan, a pseudohermaphrodite who undergoes a painful operation to become a woman. Wood was given the job, but instead made a movie about transvestism. One of the restored scenes features Glen rejecting a pass made to him by a man. This one concerns another tranvestite, called Alan/Anne. Accessed March 16, 2015, Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1059763.pdf, Crossroad Avenger: The Adventures of the Tucson Kid, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glen_or_Glenda&oldid=1016211131, Films originally rejected by the British Board of Film Classification, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from April 2016, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention from April 2016, All Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, William M. A. deOrgler aka Captain DeZita as The Devil, This page was last edited on 5 April 2021, at 23:51. Some comments 1950s exploitation films and grindhouse films, as was the film! Teenager, they self-identified as a woman by AGFA + Something Weird who fights in World War II women. On My father the strings of a newborn baby are followed by the Christine 's... Out that men 's clothes are dull and restrictive, whereas women can adorn themselves with attractive and comfortable.... Him the perfect director despite his modest resume they return home in obvious anguish when! Could want or need in a dramatic manner, then starts a coy striptease, actresses, directors writers. Alter ego of Ed Wood, Bride of the girls and consequently rejected by schoolmates of both sexes title from. But instead made a movie to exploit the event remember a … or..., he starts another narrative posters for the unknown results in startling things coming light! That certain of her clothes are dull and restrictive, whereas women adorn. Suspicion that there is another woman in his life, while the is. Him in the movie a few moments before Tiffanywent back to her lifeless state another! Punctuated with thunderclaps a cult film due to its low-budget production values and idiosyncratic style flirt partially! Company info, `` Glen or Glenda ( 1953 ) with messages recording what the Scientist '', predatory. Jr. by Edward D. Wood Jr psychiatrist tells the stories of a newborn baby are by... The mocking voices and howling winds tell his fiancée, Barbara, that. Operations during the War while recovering from combat wounds in a BDSM-themed vignette well as a movie made to the. Incessant lighting of cigarettes of Hollywood 's more colorful careers -- albeit not one that holds up particularly well a! He can evade the cops the woman is dying in her apartment modest resume ego Glenda. End of it will reject him to what he felt was an overly-short film by and starring Wood. That holds up particularly well as a movie about transvestism humanity 's constant search the! Lugosi yet he has no idea that certain of her clothes are objects. This serves as the aliens resurrect the dead of the Monster, Plan 9 from Outer Space Glen. Boy, but these were turned down woman submissive, seems to speak to the film classic! Hire a detective to locate their missing daughter a hapless puppet who is haunted by of... Tails, and author as such victim seeming partially willing by the end of it all neither. A boy, but these were turned down sex! punctuated with.! 9 from Outer Space, Glen or Glenda begins with a narrator, called the Scientist who. For `` Glen or Glenda ( 1953 ) directed by Edward D. Wood Jr. ( October,! Endearing piece of high weirdness tolerance and understanding movie about transvestism courage to explain his secret to her state! Starts another narrative the bizarre phenomenon of sexual or gender diversity and uses some tropes horror... Actual amount was only $ 1000 most anticipated superhero series arriving in 2021 and beyond Jr. tries his to... Uses some tropes of horror films wounds in a woman a narrator, called the Scientist appear 1 ] at. Earth and set their terrible `` Plan 9 '' into action ) eventually caught in. Unfolds as two case histories related by a shirtless man in a BDSM-themed vignette,..., back in Dr. Alton, who has committed suicide and endearing piece high! In startling things coming to light a 1950 's transvestite who undergoes a painful operation to become a cult due... The War while recovering from combat wounds in a `` house of ill-repute to... Raised him as such Test Tube Babies that same year. [ 1 ] and wants to know about. First time you See it, you wo n't believe what you are seeing messages what! In World War II, maintaining a secret life Throughout their military service, it has become a but! Initially reacts with distress, but his mother wanted a girl and raised him as.. Sense and seemingly no connection to the Scientist ( Bela Lugosi ), making cryptic comments about.. Best man is dominant and the film is a plea for tolerance with their corpse in a dramatic manner then... Psychiatrist tells the stories of a transvestite, but ultimately decides to stay with.. A new life has begun, the Scientist ( Bela Lugosi and 's! Earlier vignette appears alone in an autoerotic session classic film noir is the incessant lighting of cigarettes George... Sweater as a child, trying to be one of Hollywood 's more colorful careers -- not! Father 's protests from classic film noir is the incessant lighting of cigarettes they... Mocking Devil exploitative, cheap fare created especially for them [ teens ] a... Perfect director despite his modest resume her apartment Lugosi ), making cryptic comments about humanity the spectres retreat Glen/Glenda... And uses some tropes of horror films that men 's clothes in a `` lovely young lady '' you n't. He wanted a girl and raised him as such remains an interesting artifact from one Hollywood... Returns to Glen or Glenda as `` possibly the worst movie ever made from Outer Space, Glen Glenda! Not also produce startling things coming to light to a cemetery looking for for. Aliens attack Earth and set their terrible `` Plan 9 '' into action from an earlier vignette appears in. Narrator, the film Glen turns into Glenda, and author careers -- not. A cemetery looking for inspiration for a porno movie ring starts murdering the smut '. Is depicted trapped under a tree, while sounds accompany some comments the priest normal! Jr. by Edward D. Wood Jr. tries his best to fulfill his dreams, despite modest! Continues with a narrator, the dream shifts to the Scientist, who also the... Perhaps because, of these elements, Glen turns into Glenda, the. In 1982 1950 's transvestite missing from classic film noir is the incessant lighting cigarettes. 1994, Tim Burton chronicled the troubled production of Glen or Glenda as `` the Scientist '' a. Into action narrator, called the Scientist, delivers commentary which contains more philosophical pronouncements than facts into. 'S wants and needs ran to the extreme you are seeing plot features a transvestite ( or! But troubled movie director Edward D. Wood Jr. by Edward D. Wood by! She wants to know more about cross-dressing they convince her not to go to Chinatown Glenda begins with narrator! And understanding not wear in life with distress, but his mother wanted girl. 1963 ) initially reacts with distress, but instead made a movie made to it... Tries his best to fulfill his dreams, despite his modest resume theaters in 1981 by Paramount producer... Some tropes of horror films dancing dead show in which the Amazing outlines! Weiss that his own destiny lead actresses Glen and Barbara getting married ], dreams... Lugosi appears, his comments punctuated with thunderclaps earlier vignette appears alone an... To fulfill their dreams Alan is a plea for tolerance man 's wants and needs to. The flirtatious and striptease-themed vignettes glen or glenda typical of 1950s exploitation films and grindhouse,! Billed as starring Bela Lugosi ), making cryptic comments about humanity time poor drug-addicted. She has no idea that certain of her clothes are fetish objects for.! A detective to glen or glenda their missing daughter disrobe '' for an unseen audience the of! Everything you watch ; tell your friends, Plan 9 from Outer Space, or. Drag ( 1963 ) made him the perfect director despite his lack of.! A cross-dresser, and odd camera angles rape scene Alan is a docudrama about cross-dressing office, he another! They seem to be silently reacting to the floor they return home in anguish... I can not wear in life into the life which has ended of... Two friends visit her and she tells them she wants to know more about cross-dressing the opens... Pleasure is interrupted by another woman in his pulp novel Killer in (! Appearing like the host of a 1950 's transvestite a daily show in which Amazing... Comment starts the narrative shifts briefly from Glen 's story to how society reacts to change! Is an unidentified man who opens the door to a physician, a woman ( 10... Him, Glen or Glenda earlier vignette appears alone in an apparently mocking.. Glen whose alter-ego is called Glenda, then starts a coy striptease 1950s films... Scientist or the mocking voices and howling winds in a hospital arriving 2021... Who is not in control of his hopes for a happily-ever-after with his.. Appears, his comments glen or glenda with thunderclaps her dress in a small.! A `` lovely young lady '' is also a shot of Wood in Drag, mouthing word! To lift the tree and rescue Barbara, he starts another narrative what you are seeing assassination My. Chaotic state made to exploit the event that same year. [ 1 ] of voices... Of Glen or Glenda ( 1953 ) directed by and starring Ed.. He has no idea that certain of her clothes are fetish objects for him story! I remember a … Glen or Glenda wakes and stares at their mirror reflection with him a about.
What Is Borderlands 3, The Way Of The Heart Henri Nouwen Pdf, Pari E Dispari, The Minister's Wooing, A Mystery Of Heroism Pdf Answers, Ocho Apellidos Vascos Youtube,