Since I'm in LA for a bit, I've been inspired to check out some films set in LA that I should have seen long ago, like Billy Wilder's 1950 Sunset Boulevard. Wonderful wonderful!
It's funny that we tend to think that any respectable roles for women must be some modern invention, when in fact current roles might actually be a lot less meaty and decent than roles have been historically. This definitely came to mind watching Nancy Olson's smart aspiring writer, Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard. And, frankly, Gloria Swanson's Norma Desmond was a pretty great female character too, not that maintaining a kept-man is a top aspiration. But it was a great role and she was certainly in her power, despite her insanity.
I have to say, it was a hoot watching Schaefer, in her 70's at the time extras interviews were shot, talking about the making of the film. (Wisco represent!) It's stuff like this that reminds me how young film is, and how far it's come.
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