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Change of Heart

Name: Change of Heart
Director: James Tinling
Released: 1938
Duration: 59 min

Representation Score

2.5/10

Limited

1938

Approved

Director

James Tinling

Runtime

59 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Change of Heart offers a notable challenge to the traditional submissive wife cliché of the 1930s. By focusing on a woman who achieves success in a male-dominated sport and refuses to submit to a controlling husband, the film moves away from the era's standard portrayal of women. However, the film lacks depth in representing multiple aspects of identity. The social setting and production standards suggest a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. Additionally, the film remains entirely focused on straight relationships, offering no representation for LGBTQ+ identities. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its critique of patriarchal authority within the home, even as it remains limited by the homogeneous social landscape of its time.

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Category Breakdown

Does Change of Heart have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Change of Heart portray gender?

Good

Carol Murdock challenges traditional gender roles by excelling in the male-dominated sport of golf. She asserts her independence by initiating divorce proceedings.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Change of Heart?

Limited

The setting and narrative suggest a homogeneous social class typical of the 1930s. There is no indication of a diverse or non-Anglo-Saxon cast.

How does Change of Heart represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story questions the sanctity of the traditional nuclear family by presenting divorce as a valid choice. It emphasizes individual fulfillment over marital obligations.

Does Change of Heart include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative does not include any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Highlights the female protagonist's independence and skill in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Challenges the traditional submissive wife cliché by showing a woman who asserts her autonomy.
Validates individual autonomy and the right to divorce in response to neglect.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing on a homogeneous social class.
Does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
Includes no characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

While Carol Murdock is becoming the golf-champion at the country club, husband Anthony is all wrapped up in his business and rants a lot about how much time his wife spends playing gold, thereby neglecting their home and him. Carol teams up with golfer Phillip Reeves and they win a tournament together, and Reeves becomes infatuated with Carol. Anthony rants some more and Carol packs up and starts the divorce proceedings. Anthony fights back by taking up golf himself.

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