The Girl Can't Help It

Q1: How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner? 

The Girl Can’t Help It tells the story of Tom Miller, a talent scout/agent, Jerri Jordan, and Marty “Fats” Murdock.  Marty is former gangster who wants to marry Jerri but thinks Jerri isn’t good enough for him.  It’s for this reason that Marty wants Jerri to become a famous singer.  The film relates back to Foner because Foner talks about the rise in consumerism, male dominance within family, and free enterprise.  Foner talks about the rise in consumerism and how the “1950s represented the culmination of the long-term trend in which consumerism replaced economic independence and democratic participation as central definitions of American freedom” (877.)  This is evidenced in the film by the gifts that Marty bestows on Jerri.  Marty makes sure the Jerri has the best of everything, clothes and apartment.  Having these nice things sets Jerri’s new life apart from her childhood when she didn’t have as much.  Male dominance is shown between Marty and Jerri because Marty is always ordering Jerri around.  The whole plot centers on Jerri trying to become a singer, something she doesn’t even want.  Marty also won’t let Jerri clean or cook because even though these are traditionally woman tasks, Marty strives to put Jerri in a high enough class where these tasks become unnecessary.  This view of the male/female dynamic isn’t unlike that of Foner speaks about, “Films, TV shows, and advertisements portrayed marriage as the most important goal of American women.  And during the 1950s, men and women reaffirmed the virtues of family life” (880.)  Foner describes how the American economic system was built on free enterprise and how this concept is portrayed to communist countries to show how much better off Americans are.  Free enterprise is shown in the film when Marty decides to go into the record business.  In true American spirit, Marty muscles his way into providing juke boxes for bars, restaurants, and hotels; while pushing the competition out.

 

Q2: What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?

The film again places an emphasis on consumerism and having thing things.  Evidenced by Jerri’s expansive wardrobe, Tom’s dependence on alcohol, and Marty’s lifestyle.  We also get a glimpse at youth culture towards the end when Jerri and subsequently Marty perform at a sock hop.  The teenagers are all dancing along in 50s style dance, wearing long skirts, socks or saddle shoes.  This also depicts the shift towards rock and roll music.  The film doesn’t touch at all on racism or the rising tensions that lead to the civil rights movement.  Based on the depiction of the time period, one would believe that the 50s were a time of stylish clothes, partying to excess, and good music.

 

Q3:  What does the film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?

The Girl Can’t Help It isn’t very kind to women.  Jerri, while being a likeable character, lacks overall intelligence and sophistication.  She’s about to marry Marty even though she doesn’t want to and he treats her poorly because her parents want her to.  She doesn’t want to be a singer because all she wants is to bear children and cook/clean.  Jerri is also portrayed as being lower class than Marty.  Which is why she needs to become someone before Marty can marry her.  This shows a disconnect between classes.  Tom is also shown to be of a lower class and is portrayed as an alcoholic.  Again, race isn’t depicted in the movie.

 

Q4:  What was the most important scene in the film?

The most important scene is actually a series of scenes, in which Tom parades Jerri around numerous night clubs in New York.  Tom instructs her to talk past the front desk on her way to the bathroom and tell anyone who asked to “ask her agent.”  The response from the owners of the bars is all the same, they want her for their club.  This shows women as nothing more than eye candy.  The club owners don’t even question what her talent might be nor if she even has a talent for that matter.  The whole scene just objectifies women.

 

Review

I’d give the film 4 out of 5 because I enjoyed it.  While the film was what I would call substance light, it was still enjoyable to watch and kept my interest pretty much the whole time.  I think it would have added a little bit of dimension to the film if race had been present in some manor.  There were many humorous moments in the film.