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The Good-Bye Kiss

Name: The Good-Bye Kiss
Director: Mack Sennett
Released: 1928
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1928

Passed

Director

Mack Sennett

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film operates as a traditional period piece that aligns with many social norms of the late silent era. Though it lacks complexity in addressing multiple aspects of identity, it offers a notable challenge to gender hierarchies by giving ability to act to its female protagonist. However, the production remains consistent with the demographic uniformity of 1920s cinema. The narrative centers on established Western institutions and conventional romantic clichés, offering little space for diverse cultural or identity-based perspectives. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its character-driven approach to gender roles, despite the limitations imposed by the era's lack of racial and LGBTQ+ representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Good-Bye Kiss have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film centers on a typical romantic relationship between Sally and Johnny. It doesn't include non-straight identities or challenge the assumption that everyone is straight.

How does The Good-Bye Kiss portray gender?

Fair

Sally drives the story, breaking traditional wartime roles. She uses her influence to inspire her partner, highlighting women's intelligence over male dominance.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Good-Bye Kiss?

Minimal

The cast seems to follow the standard homogeneous casting practices of 1920s Hollywood. There is no indication of diverse or non-Anglo-Saxon representation.

How does The Good-Bye Kiss represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story emphasizes Western social and religious traditions like the Salvation Army. It upholds traditional values of patriotism and duty during wartime.

Does The Good-Bye Kiss include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Sally plays a significant role in driving the story, acting as a catalyst for change rather than a passive character.
The film challenges traditional gender hierarchies by emphasizing female moral strength and intellect.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting the homogeneous casting of its era.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or challenges to the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
The narrative relies heavily on traditional Western social and religious structures.

Official Synopsis

Sally (Sally Eilers) joins the Salvation Army in order to follow her boyfriend Johnny (Johnny Burke) when he's shipped off to fight in the First World War. When Johnny turns out to be a bit of a coward, Sally spurs him and his fellow soldiers on to heroism. The Good-Bye Kiss was noted at the time for being a Mack Sennett comedy played relatively straight, with plenty of plot and very little slapstick.

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