when one of the detectives takes margot's bag and wants to go out, inspector hubbard tells him: 'you can walk around like this, youll be arrested..'
what did he mean by that? that the detective will look gay? is this good old homophobia from the eraly days?
Of course that it would look gay. And being publically gay was in fact illegal back then.
share1. While it's partly tongue in cheek, the inspector DOES in fact make him put it in a larger satchel.
2. It's not about being arrested for purse-snatching, because a detective obviously wouldn't get arrested for that. (He'd just have to flash his badge.)
3. Therefore, while it's partly meant humorously, the inspector clearly wants to avoid his detective looking like a transvestite. That's the joke Hitchock was making.
(As someone else said, few gays would actually walk around with a purse. Those who do should probably not be that surprised if they get negative reactions.)
It's simply a statement of the times. Men who sported feminine articles of dress often got arrested for being degenerates. It was that way in New York City, too. Read about gay history prior to Stonewall. When they raided gay bars, they booked patrons on such charges.
"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"
I suspect that reactions to this scene depend upon the viewer's age. as a straight baby-boomer, I immediately assumed that it was a joke about being arrested for cross-dressing. In fact, it didn't even occur to me that it might refer to stealing a handbag until I read this thread.
Of course this is very offensive now, but at that time it was just the way things were. In fact, I remember as a kid being told - by other kids - that there was a law that you had to be wearing two items of boy's - or girl's - clothing at all times or you could be arrested!
I reckon it's more homophobic to suggest gay men walk around carrying purses.
shareJust saw this...I lol'd at this line. Considering the era, I totally thought it was a jab at society's view of homosexual men...and I laughed again when Milland walked back through the door later with the purse (and his wife's other posessions). I guess he wasn't too concerned about being seen with it, no matter the possible reaction. I wasn't sure if you could really be detained (or arrested) for portraying homosexual tendencies or not. Seems pretty dumb but it WAS the 50's.
Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.
I don't think the OP meant that they personally believe all gay men carry purses, I think they just meant that that would have been the sort of stereotypical belief held by most people at the time, and what the joke was based on.
shareI took it as a homophobic joke as well. I didn't think about the possibility of him looking like he'd stolen it until I came here.
The joke isn't particularly offensive in itself, in fact it was funny, it's just depressing to remember that you really could be arrested for homosexuality and/or crossdressing back then.
The fuunny thing is that he says "put it in this" and hands him an attache case which is essentially a bigger purse.
shareHe'd be arrested by the fashion police for the crime of looking too fabulous
share[deleted]
Well they sure had more sense back in those times. We need more people to stand up to this immoral and despicable "Gay agenda" being pushed by the media and governments around the world. It's sick, perverted and repulsive in my view to promote a form of relationship that contributes nothing to the growth of the species.
If this sounds like gay bashing then who cares. I'm a Christian who believes in the sanctity of marriage between a male and a female and I'm not going to apologize for offending anyone.
"Well they sure had more sense back in those times. We need more people to stand up to this immoral and despicable "Gay agenda" being pushed by the media and governments around the world. It's sick, perverted and repulsive in my view to promote a form of relationship that contributes nothing to the growth of the species.
If this sounds like gay bashing then who cares. I'm a Christian who believes in the sanctity of marriage between a male and a female and I'm not going to apologize for offending anyone."
There is only one thing you said that offended me......
You call yourself a Christian.
"Fasten your seat belts!
It's going to be a bumpy night!"
And I won't have to apologize for saying your beliefs are stupid relics.
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http://viverdecinema.blogspot.com.br/
I took it that the porky was being mocked for being a bit thick and the audience was being told something about British intolerance.
Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.
the audience was being told something about British intolerance.