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Dangerous Number

Name: Dangerous Number
Director: Richard Thorpe
Released: 1937
Duration: 71 min

Representation Score

1.1/10

Minimal

1937

Director

Richard Thorpe

Runtime

71 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Dangerous Number is a product of the 1930s studio system, adhering strictly to the era's traditional cinematic standards. The plot follows a standard screwball comedy structure centered on a male protagonist's romantic whims and subsequent marital complications. The film offers minimal disruption to established social hierarchies. It prioritizes conventional romantic clichés and lacks significant representation of diverse identities, focusing instead on a narrow, straight-centered view of courtship and social interaction. Ultimately, the film serves as a reflection of its time, emphasizing individualistic romance and traditional gender dynamics rather than providing any meaningful multi-layered or systemic critique.

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Category Breakdown

Does Dangerous Number have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on heterosexual relationships and marital issues. It does not include any non-binary or transgender characters or critiques of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Dangerous Number portray gender?

Limited

Eleanor Breen shows some initiative through a clever plan to seek revenge humorously. However, the story mainly revolves around male impulses and female responses.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Dangerous Number?

Minimal

The film seems to follow the homogeneous casting practices typical of the 1930s. There is no indication of a predominantly non-white cast.

How does Dangerous Number represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story emphasizes individualistic romantic pursuits and traditional social structures like marriage. It adheres to the conventional moral framework of early Hollywood romantic comedies.

Does Dangerous Number include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities depicted or central to the character arcs in this narrative.

Present on Screen

Eleanor Breen demonstrates some initiative through her clever, retaliatory planning.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender perspectives.
Casting appears homogeneous, reflecting the limited racial diversity of the 1930s studio era.
The narrative relies on traditional gender hierarchies and conventional social structures.

Official Synopsis

Hank Medhill, artificial silk manufacturer, has returned to the U.S. from Japan to learn that his former girlfriend, Eleanor Breen is about to marry. Hank convinces Eleanor to leave the groom-to-be and marry him. Shortly after the marriage, they discover that they have nothing in common. They separate. Hank decides to pick any name from the phone book and date them. That date results in a wild and frightful night for Hank, thanks to Eleanor's clever plan.

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