EBAY: AND THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN HORROR & SCI FI MOVIE

POSTERS OF THE 1950S

ByMichael Desmond

3/29/2011

Cat Girl (1957)

About

Plot: Woman who gets cursed with the ability to turn into a cat when angered.

Portrayed by Barbara Shelley as lead role Poster portrays woman as sleek, feline,

and cat-like qualities. Shows femininity as similar to feline, catty behavior, and mysterious tendencies. Shows female in one piece dress

Poster portrays woman as a seductress/Femme Fatale role

$49.99

Voodoo Woman (1957)

About

• Poster portrays female role as Damsel in Distress, in this film woman is supporting character

• Portrays woman as a victim of fear, terrified, vulnerable, and a sex symbol hoping to be rescued from danger by male protagonists

• Only showed wearing a one piece dress in poster

• $349.99

The Living Idol (1957)

About

Poster portrays woman in two piece and looks like she is playing the damsel in distress role

Deals with sexuality and love Portrays woman as supporting character Poster $25 Shows female as afraid

Viking Women and the Sea Serpent (1957)

About

Sci-fi film in which poster portrays woman in power and not dependent on male roles as heroes

Poster portrays female role as dominant and unafraid, shows them in lead role

Poster portrayal of woman that empowers women to be strong and stick together, shows strong and powerful can be beautiful

$249.99

About this Exhibit

This exhibit was set up to show female roles in sci-fi/horror movie posters of thee 1950s

Some of these posters portray women in empowering roles in these posters, while some show them as damsels in distress

Deals with the issue of Gender roles at the time and the issue with stereotypes