Directed by Dorothy Arzner, Roy Del Ruth | USA | 90 mins

Part of our Defiant Women Series. 

Written and directed by women, starring women, this Golden Age Hollywood drama remains as relevant as ever with its depiction of compromised dreams, hypocritical morals, and the double standards imposed upon women who are expected to showcase their physical beauty and yet are shamed for doing so. Maureen O'Hara stars as a ballet hopeful who has to make do performing burlesque alongside the show's main attraction, played by a pre-television Lucille Ball. Directed by Dorothy Arzner, who was practically the only woman directing studio pictures during the Golden Age of Hollywood, this mediation on the struggle between personal integrity and making ends meet speaks to the compromises made by artists but also the difficult line walked by women who want to be seen but not gawked at.

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In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.