You didn’t think I’d forgotten, did you?
I forget nothing.
I still haven’t written the damn thing but I now have a file folder on my desktop filled with screengrabs of men looking at themselves (or at somebody else) in the mirror throughout cinematic history.
More to come, including my thoughts about it all – having let it percolate for a year and a half. It’s been a lot of fun.
Here’s a glimpse of just some of the images I have compiled. The third one down is particularly creepy … and makes a lot of sense, in the larger cinematic context of images of men-with-themselves-as opposed-to-men-with-the-world/reflections-in-general/self-awareness/fantasy … But I’ll get to that when I write the thing. I’m getting ready. I can always feel it when I start to gather my forces …
Oh, this looks like it’ll be really interesting — and I’m curious about the ones I haven’t seen.
Hmmm, the moment that comes immediately to mind for me is in the 1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with Fredric March. The beginning of the film is from his perspective, and the first time we see Dr. Jekyll’s face is when he goes over to a mirror.
Actually, now that I think about it, there’s probably a lot more times he looks in a mirror in the film. I think he goes over to one right after he first transforms into Hyde as well.
I watched Memento over the weekend and totally remembered that old post and how you were going to write about it. I almost thought about dropping you a quick e-mail to ask how it was coming. Then I just said “nah, she’ll get around to it one of thses days…” So funny you should bring it up right after that!
Emily – that is so bizarre, the timing!
‘I forget nothing.’
Hee hee hee.
Jess – thanks for the tip!! That’s NOT in my collection! I am interested in the change in men’s behavior that occurred in films in the 60s and 70s and how suddenly every other movie had a guy looking at himself in the mirror. This was not the case in early movies – so I was looking for examples – pre 1960 – of men looking at themselves in the mirror, and it’s pretty slim pickins.
But that just proves my point (which I will reveal when I write the damn thing).
Again, thanks for the tip!
I love Fredric March!!
You’re very welcome! And I’m happy to find someone else who loves Fredric March–I feel like he’s forgotten too often. (and when I do see reference to him–they inevitably misspell his name–haha) But he is a special interest of mine. So jealous of everyone who got to see him on the stage!
Hmm, I probably never would have realized about the change in the 60s/70s, but now that you mention it (and with the screencaps included) I see you’re very right. I can’t easily think of pre-1960 examples, either. Very interested to see what you come up with :)
If you can think of anymore, let me know!
Johnny Handsome: The meaning of the face
I watched Johnny Handsome last night, a movie I had not seen – spurred on by my brother’s comments about the film in the comments-section to this post about Mickey Rourke. What is extraordinary about this film (besides its dark…