Bechdel Test Movie List

/bech·del test/ n.
1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

[[3]] Topsy-Turvy (1999) [imdb]

This movie passed 3 of 3 tests. It was entered by luminum on 2013-06-24 01:52:39.

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luminum said:
There are many large roles with names in the film, for the historical women involved in the production--Helen Lenoir, Lucy "Kitty" Gilbert, Leonora Braham, Jessie Bond--as well as minor roles--Fanny Ronalds, Rosina Brandram, Sybil Grey, Clothilde, Violet, Lillian, Rose, Catharine, Bunny, Mrs. Judd, etc.

Clothilde and Fanny speak to one another about Sullivan.

Kitty and Mrs. Judd speak to one another about Gilbert's health, in front of him.

Jessie tells Emily to treat her wound--an ankle abscess--with the bandage, and Emily apologizes. In the same scene, Jessie and Leonora talk about the number of fan letters they've received, then talk about how to find a man and Leonora's difficulties finding a new love, especially with her alcoholism. Within this scene, Jessie and Emily discuss her health.

Maude, Florence, and Kitty exchange greetings in Gilbert's presence, and Kitty asks them what they think of the Japan exhibit. Both give their opinions and then take off after Kitty inquires about the health of their mother.

Gilbert's mother asks his sisters Florence and Maude about whether Kitty appeared to be pregnant. The three discuss it, then she asks about Gilbert, and Maude and she discuss him in private.

Madame Leone, Leonora, and Jessie discuss Leonora's alcoholism, the new costumes, Jessie's health, and the desire to emulate the Japanese in their costumes, and Jessie's dislike of the kimono. Madame Leone explains how she has designed the costumes to give the actresses a figure, creating a "corset" out of the kimono to suit English tastes. A parallel scene exists with Grossman, Barrington, Gilbert, the men's costumer, and Lely.

Later, the chorus girls discuss Temple's song being cut and many of their names are mentioned during the discussion. A parallel scene occurs with the chorus men.

There are a few other minor scenes where Leonora plans to get dressed and requests privacy from her stage hand, whose name is also mentioned. She agrees and exists the room.

Though Helen does not interact with other women, she is portrayed as an equally important and involved member of the production company, given the same time to speak her expertise or opinion on the show, mediating the disagreements between Gilbert and Sullivan, reinforcing Gilbert and Sullivan's contracts with the company to them, ensuring the bookings of the show, and offering her advice alongside the other production members.

The parallel scenes with the women and men, and the scripting of the scene where the chorus intercedes to have Temple's song reinstated seem to also demonstrate a lot of male/female equity, with both men and women voicing their opinions to Gilbert on why the song should stay and speaking up together.
Message posted on 2013-06-24 01:52:39

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