Watching the 1953 Ed Wood film “Glen or Glenda?” prompted me to research the story of Christine Jorgensen, which broke in December 1952. I remember my parents telling me that while my mom was pregnant they could not decide between Christine and Judith (if it was a girl) and finally settled on Judith. For them it was an enormous relief that they made the right choice as this story hit the headlines (and the butt of late night comedians) when I turned six months old. This paper will explore some attributes of the film—its almost documentary feel with a medical doctor listed in the opening credits. It stars the famed Bela Lugosi (box office draw)as a scientist/philosopher and uses frequent flashes of lightning with accompanying thunder serving as an exclamation point. The central question is: Why is the modern world shocked by this sex change? I will look at the Christine Jorgensen story as well as the biographical aspects of Ed Wood’s “Glen or Glenda?” At its core, this film is an early critique of socially dictated gender roles, although it often conflates transgender and transvestite.
About the presenterJudith Rita Phagan
Specialize an African American literature and American Indian studies, environmental literature and comedy. My newest passion is the disability narrative. Chair of English department for past two years. Enjoying life!!