Mary Daly, a Leader in Feminist Theology, Dies at 81 . I myself had no idea who this woman was until today. All I know is last night I saw this REALLY disturbing movie. She Had to Say Yes(1933), could be described as the most misogynistic movie ever made. But, I’m not sure that instead it could be described better as, the most honest and open misogynistic movie I’ve ever seen.
First of all, the fact that this movie freaked me out, makes me think about how some of the offices I’ve worked in didn’t openly cross this line, but made me realize what men REALLY think of women. How women are never really regarded as successful, but rather always for sale.
Anyway, depressed the hell out of me. I know times have changed, but the frightening fact that while I was watching this film I felt as if I was hearing what men say to each other when they are alone. Still. I’m a little older (not that much, but I don’t have the balls younger women in their 20s have), so I remember feeling overwhelmed when I was younger with my bosses and their bizarre attention. I never really understood what to make of it. Now I know why they liked me so much. I was “entertainment”. I’m not sure if you’ve ever felt this way, but man, this movie freaked me out.
Anyway, since I’m such a failure as person who values her worth, I would like to pay my respects to this woman who did. So Professor Daly, thanks for standing up to the concept of patriarchy. I’m not a big fan myself. Deepest respect and rest in peace. I know you were no fan of Pre-Code film, (or maybe you were…I have no idea) but here’s to ya.
And with that, I dedicate today’s selection of She Had to Say Yes(1933) to Professor Daly. Because she didn’t.
Movie Review from the New York Times
She Had to Say Yes (1933)
July 29, 1933
Too Much Suspicion.
F.S.N.
Published: July 29, 1933
Just because a girl entertains out-of-town buyers it does not necessarily follow that she is guilty of moral lapses. Loretta Young and First National Pictures spare neither tears nor film footage (respectively) in making this point clear in “She Had to Say Yes,” which is at the Strand.
The customers’ girl, for the benefit of those who are not acquainted with the dress business, is the attractive young woman who is paid to keep the traveling buyers in good humor and help them decide to place their orders with the right firm. There are, of course, customers’ girls and customers’ girls. Miss Young, in this picture, is one of the latter.
As such, she takes great pains to let the buyers and her audience know that everything must be proper and discreet. The most backward witness is convinced of her essential virtue almost at once, but the two young men in the picture—Lyle Talbot and Regis Toomey—are incessantly tortured by the needles of suspicion. Each takes his turn at being in love with the wide-eyed heroine, and each misunderstands her relations with the visiting buyers.
No sooner has one cloud of doubt been dispelled than another clatters across the horizon, like a creaking, movable set in a village opera house. It is a wearing and wearying process which reduces Miss Young to tears and her audience to the jitters.
The unfortunate part of it is that the picture has some bright lines and threatens, here and there, actually to become amusing. Hugh Herbert and Winnie Lightner wheedled a few laughs from the stranded Strand visitors, but the gayety was short-lived. It would have been a relief to every one if Miss Young had only said “No!”
SHE HAD TO SAY YES, based on a story by John Francis Larkin; directed by Bushy Berkeley and George Amy; a First National production. At the strand.
Florence . . . . . Loretta Young
Daniel . . . . . Lyle Talbot
Maizee . . . . . Winnie Lightner
Tommy Nelson . . . . . Regis Toomey
Luther Haines . . . . . Hugh Herbert
Sol Glass . . . . . Ferdinand Gottschalk
