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Gender Stereotypes In Cover Girl

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It has long been known that there is a stereotype of vanity and superficiality attached to celebrities, both in Hollywood and on Broadway. This vanity is often associated with society’s notion that being beautiful is a make it or break it deal. Unfortunately, this requirement holds much stronger for women, especially in the 1940s and 1950s when a woman’s value was determined primarily on her appearance. The 1944 film Cover Girl discusses at great length these gender roles, as well as status, and even gender roles within status. This film is produced and released at a time where we see gender roles start to shift and change, and feminist thoughts first begin to develop. Although in many ways Cover Girl is progressive for women, it is evident that certain gender expectations still exist. Just as in Hollywood “the movie star was the industry’s principle resource” (Schatz 75), the same held true for the stars …show more content…

The movie is a romance, and “romance requires that we invest in the hope that a certain couple will achieve bliss” (Schumway 388). With this being said, the ridiculous nature of fame is illustrated through our desire for Danny and Rusty to end up together in the end, and Danny’s character as the symbol of the hard working, working class man. While Coudair and Wheaton and the rest of the Broadway elite give the message that every beautiful girl should want “luxury, gentle living and money” and “must be provided for” (Vidor) in order to be happy, Danny remains true to his belief that hard work and sensibility will lead to the best life. Danny’s greatest advice comes to Rusty when he says, “you’re going to be a great star, Rusty, but you’ve gotta get there on your feet, not your face” (Vidor). In the end, Rusty chooses Danny’s love over wealth, and their overwhelming happiness illustrates the message of what we are supposed to believe is most important in

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