MovieChat Forums > This Island Earth (1955) Discussion > Even Though 1955, The Wilson Character S...

Even Though 1955, The Wilson Character Seems Gay

posted 15 years ago by babettegillette
10 replies | jump to latest

He follows Cal around like a puppy looking for a home. That was the impression I got from his behavior, especially when he begged Cal not to leave on the plane. The book that the 1963 movie The Haunting is based upon included a lesbian character. Because it was 1963, the movie only very vaguely alluded to the homosexuality of the character played by Claire Bloom.

This movie could have been better(Incredibly Shrinking Man is superior, IMHO) and it could have been much, much worse. I like the space/ray gun stuff anyway, so I give TIE a B+. That's pretty good!

[–] Dejael 14 years ago

No, Joe Wilson was just one of your typical nurdy scientist types. Also, he was a married family man, for he remarks, when building the Interocitor, "You know what my kids would say? Dig this crazy mixed up plumbing!"
I think what you see is the lab assistant admiringly looking up to his boss with dignity and respect. At least that's what I see in this character. He cares about his boss, as well as his job, and he doesn't want to lose either one of them.

Dejael

[–] idn82 13 years ago

Being married and having children doesn't rule out the possibility that he's gay. Most gay men during the 1950s were married with children.

[–] Dejael 13 years ago

I think you are reading something into this movie that just isn't there to begin with.

Dejael

[–] hairybro2000 13 years ago

Agreed.

[–] lousvr 13 years ago

Right on the nail.. and no he's not a 'gay' married man...
You want to make a case of a gay character.. Jez ck out the reporter at beginning of movie..
As a 10yr old we would just see him as a 'dweeb' to stay away from . Like a dirty old man...
Gayness was very closeted.. Wasn't something to even think/concern oneself about.

[–] will-694 11 years ago

Wow! Talk about an over-active imagination. You appear to be reading a whole lot more into the film than is there. You also appear never to have worked closely in a research environment or had a close friend as a coworker.

Joe Wilson is just a straight-arrow and, as someone else stated, a nerd (we called them bookworms in the old days.

Nothing "gay" in this movie, but what you bring with you when you watch it, if anything.

[–] Enrique-8 11 years ago

Babette....

Your observation was so RIGHT on....I had the exact same impression of Wilson. And the "fact" that he is married, was probably built into the script...notice how many times it is mentioned. It was put there to deflect any idea that he was enamored with Cal. Not something that is injected into script unless there is a REASON...(sorry bad pun...)

Enrique Sanchez

[–] wallacesawyer 11 years ago

I've only seen the shorter MST3K: THE MOVIE, and honestly I never thought of that for one second. I still don't see it. I always thought the mention of his wife and kids were pointless, though.

http://www.freewebs.com/demonictoys/

[–] Draco1138 9 years ago

The child reference was just to show the absuridy of the Interociter. It had nothing to do with gayyness. It was just a line about the hippness and what children would say to this.

Here is daddy looking at work.

Child says it is messed up plumbing indicating it was strange and seemed meaningless or pointless.

It would be like a parent saying, "My child always I am a 'hater' when I say her interest in that boy bad is silly."

[–] wallacesawyer 9 years ago

The child reference was just to show the absuridy of the Interociter. It had nothing to do with gayyness. It was just a line about the hippness and what children would say to this.

Here is daddy looking at work.

Child says it is messed up plumbing indicating it was strange and seemed meaningless or pointless.

It would be like a parent saying, "My child always I am a 'hater' when I say her interest in that boy bad is silly."

I think I follow you. 

http://www.freewebs.com/demonictoys/