Wonder Woman (first iconic heroine)

Next, Wonder Woman sprang to life as a mediocre TV-Movie starring former tennis star Cathy Lee Crosby(best remembered for her stint on That's Incredible!)as a bizarre blonde version of everyone's favorite raven haired Amazon Princess. With no super powers, a modified costume that was a cross between a flight attendant and a gymnast, and a pointless script the project crashed and burned.

Click the camera to see a clip fromAn action clip from Wonder Woman(1974)
Soon after the TV-Movie, Wonder Woman's comic book persona changed from being a glorified Emma Peel knock off and returned to her classic costumed version. The concept for a tv show was revived, Lynda Carter was brought on as the title character, and the show was a hit.
One apocryphal story was that the Lynda Carter version was created to stand in for The Bionic Woman(Another ABC Show), as Lindsay Wagner was accident prone and did her own stunts, often hurting herself.

For whatever reason, the show debuted on ABC on December 18, 1975 as The New Original Wonder Woman to distinct itself from the Cathy Lee Crosby version. The new Wonder Woman was set in the 1942 and the look of the show was copied directly from how the comic book looked in that era. It was excellent for its detail, and was faithful to how the characters were during World War II.

Girl-power flicks like Charlie's Angels, Crouching Tiger, and Tomb Raider are topping the $100 million mark once dominated by men like Schwarzenegger. Charlie's Angels has brought in $125 million; Crouching Tiger is up to $179 million; and Tomb Raider, only open since mid-June, stands at $126 million. Even last year's cheerleading movie, Bring It On, trumped the traditional male stars, grossing $68 million.

Questionairre

Women in Film Questionnaire

Gender
Male/Female

Age
Under 16/ 16-21 / 21-30 / 30+

What do you think is the most stereotypical role for a female character in film?
Mother figure/ damsel in distress/ love interest/ heroine/ villain

Do you think that the portrayal of women in film is exploitation?
Yes/Don’t Know/No

Explain your answer:





Outline mental and physical attributes you believe a female heroine should have and give an example of one in film:








Laura Mulveys “The Gaze” theory is male idol-worship of female celebrities i.e. female actresses exist purely to appeal to a male audience; to what extent do you agree with this theory.

Strongly Agree/ Agree/ Don’t Know/ Disagree/ Strongly Disagree


Who do you think was the turning point for all female heroines?






In your opinion are women being represented as equals throughout the film industry?
Yes/Don’t Know/ No

Explain Your answer :








Name your favourite action film:



How are the women portrayed in this film?







On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the strongest) Which of these attributes do you think are shown from female characters in film:

Independence
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Strength (emotional)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Strength (physical)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Sense of Humour
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Intelligence
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Motivation
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


Caring
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Vain
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10



Do you believe that there are certain actresses that usually to play the role of heroine/strong women?




Are there any actresses who you think would never suit the role of a dominant woman?








If you have any additional comments regarding women in film please state here:

Actresses who commonly play dominant female roles

Male like qualities
Sigourney Weaver
Linda Hamilton
Jamie Lee Curtis


More sexualised
Angelina Jolie
Halle Berry
Cameron Diaz
Uma Thurman
Drew Barrymore
Lucy Liu

Films that can be looked at

Kill Bill
Tomb Raider
Alien
Terminator 2
Panic room
Charlies Angels

the rise of women in film

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/57771/feminine_masculinity_the_rise_of_women.html

An Introduction to Film studies pg276 by Jill nelmes

Media Theory Laura Mulvey used Freudian theory to explain the male idol-worship of female celebrities (not unlike the cult following of stars like Sigourney Weaver and Angelina Jolie). Freud stated that as a young child the male is overwhelmed by feelings of superiority and fear of castration' when he sees that a female lacks' a penis. In order to overcome this fear the male fetishizes a woman or parts of her body; this fetish acts as a substitute for the (missing) phallus.Media Theory Laura Mulvey used Freudian theory to explain the male idol-worship of female celebrities (not unlike the cult following of stars like Sigourney Weaver and Angelina Jolie). Freud stated that as a young child the male is overwhelmed by feelings of superiority and fear of castration' when he sees that a female lacks' a penis. In order to overcome this fear the male fetishizes a woman or parts of her body; this fetish acts as a substitute for the (missing) phallus.