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Make Way for a Lady

Name: Make Way for a Lady
Director: David Burton
Released: 1936
Duration: 65 min

Representation Score

2.7/10

Limited

1936

Director

David Burton

Runtime

65 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Make Way for a Lady is a product of the 1930s studio system, emphasizing traditional domestic comedy. The narrative revolves around a daughter's efforts to find a new wife for her widowed father. While the film grants a female protagonist significant influence, her actions ultimately support patriarchal family norms. The inclusion of Black actors like Willie Best reflects the era's casting practices, though likely within limited, non-challenging roles. Overall, the film reinforces mid-century social hierarchies, focusing on stability and propriety rather than diversity or challenging established norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does Make Way for a Lady have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film centers on a widowed father seeking a new wife. It does not include any non-binary gender identities or challenge traditional romantic structures.

How does Make Way for a Lady portray gender?

Fair

A female protagonist drives the plot by trying to influence her father's personal life. However, her actions reinforce traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Make Way for a Lady?

Limited

The cast includes Willie Best, a well-known Black actor of the time. Representation exists but may be limited by the era's constraints and stereotypical roles.

How does Make Way for a Lady represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film highlights Western values of family unity and social propriety. It upholds the traditional nuclear family structure without questioning its societal role.

Does Make Way for a Lady include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this film.

Present on Screen

The plot features a female protagonist who drives the story forward.
The film includes notable Black representation for the 1930s era.

Limited or Absent

The narrative reinforces traditional gender roles and family structures.
The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-binary gender perspectives.
Racial representation is limited by the era's constraints and stereotypical casting.

Official Synopsis

An imaginative teenager decides to play matchmaker for her widowed father. Director David Burton's 1936 comedy stars Herbert Marshall, Anne Shirley, Gertrude Michael, Margot Grahame, Clara Blandick, Frank Coghlan Jr., Willie Best and Maxine Jennings.

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