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

[[1]] A Christmas Story (1983) [imdb]

This movie passed 1 of 3 tests. It was entered by Zane on 2014-05-15 02:49:18.

Reviews

Comments

Zane said:
The movie has Ralphie's teacher and his mother, both of whom are named. However, I don't think they talk to one another.
Message posted on 2014-05-15 02:49:18
Lisa disagreed with the rating and said:
Ralphie's mom and Schwartz's mom talk on the phone when Ralphie tells his mother that he heard the F-word from Schwartz.
Message posted on 2014-05-15 23:37:49
Julie disagreed with the rating and said:
If I remember correctly, there's a scene in which a female student gives a gift to Miss Shields, who says, "Thank you, Heather." So this movie may marginally pass.
Message posted on 2014-09-28 21:51:50
Antonia said:
We don't know Schwartz's mom's name (at least I don't think she is named) and we can't see her or make out what she is saying. That female student isn't named either is she? That's not a conversation anyways she is just saying thank you. I agree with the rating and that it doesn't pass.
Message posted on 2014-11-11 01:20:00
Octavian disagreed with the rating and said:
@Lisa Yes, this movie should marginally pass. We know both of their names SORT OF: Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Schartz. And they have meaningful conversation about something other than a man.
Message posted on 2015-01-29 04:05:26
mrs parker-schwartz said:
It does NOT pass the test. Even if we could see Mrs Schwartz and hear her voice, which would be necessary to pass the test, they're still talking about her son, a boy. Additionally, not knowing their first names brings #1 into question. We call them "Mrs Parker" and "Mrs Schwartz" based on their husband's (men) last names; not really applicable to the spirit of the test.

And saying thank you with no response from the other party isn't a conversation either.
Message posted on 2020-12-10 03:15:14
Karto disagreed with the rating and said:
This should be a 2 out of 3. In the time period when this movie takes place it was proper to address married women as Mrs. LastName. We shouldn't consider them unnamed because we don't know their first names. By that reasoning, every movie with children who don't know their teacher's first name would be ineligible.

However the two conversations above still wouldn't pass. Heather doesn't reply when Miss Shields says thank you. We can hear some of Mrs. Schwartz's replies in her conversation with Mrs. Parker, but they're talking about their sons so it doesn't pass.
Message posted on 2021-12-26 22:37:11

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