Release: 1975 Directed by: Bryan Forbes Written by: Ira Levin (novel) William Goldman (screenplay)
Starring:
Katharine Ross as Joanna Eberhart Paula Prentiss as Bobbie Markowe Peter Masterson as Walter Eberhart Nanette Newman as Carol Van Sant Tina Louise as Charmaine Wimperis
The 1970s in the United States was a period of significant social
change. Beginning with the “bra burning” 1960s, a movement
toward more equitable treatment of woman began to gain considerable
momentum in the 1970s. This continues enforce today, primarily led by
Oprah Winfrey. Actually, the push for equitable treatment of women both
socially and in the workplace is an ongoing work in progress, but I
can’t miss an opportunity to take a stab at Oprah.
Does life imitate art, or the other way around? Elements of art imitating life are certainly apparent in The Stepford Wives.
The story opens with a shot of heroine Joanna Eberhart, gazing
forlornly out her apartment window at the busy street below. Mr. and
Mrs. Eberhart (Ross and Masterson) live in New York City, and The Stepford Wives begins with them moving their belongings to a new house in the quiet suburb of Stepford. Stepford is an odd place
– quiet, clean and filled with women with no ambition beyond
caring for their husbands, cleaning the house and treating their men to
some “afternoon delight” any time they desire it. Yes friends, it’s truly ghastly.
Well Joanna Eberhart, a career woman with
dreams of accomplishing more than June Cleaver had, will have none of
it. She first tries to reason with several of the wives she comes in
contact with, arguing that they cannot possibly be happy as a devoted housewife without any other outlet.
She even tries to organize an informal rally of sorts, hoping to gather
support for her outrage that Stepford has a “Men only
club”, but nobody will voice any frustration with their life
situation at all. In fact, the other wives begin comparing notes on
which cleaning products save the most time (which, of course, leaves more hours in the day for baking!) instead of complaining about their husbands. Something strange is afoot.
Could the women of Stepford actually enjoy going overboard to care for and pamper their husbands, or is Stepford the scene of a maniacal plot by selfish men? Get real! Maniacal plot it is…
Horror and social commentary together – I love it! Not only is The Stepford Wives
an original concept with good suspense and scares, but it also provides
commentary and parody about a period of significant social change in
the United States. There isn’t really any gore to speak of, but
the quality of The Stepford Wives is so high that even a Horror Freak like myself can let the gorelessness slide.
There have been several remakes and sequels of The Stepford Wives starring such cinematic goddesses as Barbara Eden and Nichole Kidman – But the original is the one to watch. Besides, the original The Stepford Wives has Ginger from Gilligan’s Island (Tina Louise), and if she’s not a goddess then nobody is. This one is a true classic. Questions or comments about The Stepford Wives? Contact us!
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