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This Happy Feeling

Name: This Happy Feeling
Director: Blake Edwards
Released: 1958
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

2.0/10

Minimal

1958

Director

Blake Edwards

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This 1958 comedy operates as a conventional mid-century romantic comedy. It relies heavily on established social hierarchies and traditional formulas, offering very little disruption to the prevailing cultural or gender norms of the era. The narrative structure centers on a framework oriented toward straight relationships, with the plot driven by male interest in a female lead. While the protagonist demonstrates some independence, the power dynamics remain rooted in the period's standard social structures. Overall, the film reflects the transitional period of Hollywood production codes, where social commentary is limited and the cast and setting remain largely homogeneous.

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Category Breakdown

Does This Happy Feeling have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The plot revolves around a traditional romantic pursuit between a female protagonist and two male suitors.

How does This Happy Feeling portray gender?

Fair

Janet Blake plays a significant role in driving the story by navigating professional boundaries and making independent decisions. However, the narrative relies on familiar formulas centered around mid-century gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is This Happy Feeling?

Minimal

The film appears to follow conventional 1950s casting patterns. There is no evidence of diverse casting or efforts to disrupt demographic norms.

How does This Happy Feeling represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story reinforces mid-century Western social structures, focusing on individual romance and professional hierarchies rather than critiquing institutional authority.

Does This Happy Feeling include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed within the primary character arcs.

Present on Screen

Janet Blake plays a significant role in driving the story by making independent decisions regarding her safety and employment.

Limited or Absent

The film relies on traditional pursuit clichés that place the female lead in a reactive position.
The narrative lacks LGBTQ+ representation or any critique of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
The casting and setting appear to follow homogeneous, Western-centric patterns typical of the 1950s.

Official Synopsis

Janet Blake leaves a party when her boss drunkenly makes passes at her and is offered a ride to the subway with Bill Tremaine. When she thinks Bill is making advances too, she flees into a rainstorm and ends up at the house of his neighbor, retired actor Preston Mitchell. Preston hires her as his secretary, and soon both men are pursuing Janet.

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