Watch Girl 27

In 1937, a young woman named Patricia Douglas was a dancer living in Los Angeles. She was selected to be an extra in MGM's Grand Hotel, one of the biggest films of the day. But during a break from filming, she was brutally raped at an MGM-sponsored party. When she reported the crime, she found herself up against a powerful movie studio, which did its best to intimidate and silence her.

Girl 27 is a documentary that tells Patricia Douglas's story, from her rape to her eventual vindication many years later. The film uses interviews with Douglas's family members and friends, as well as historians and Hollywood insiders, to paint a picture of a young woman who was failed by the system. It also explores the culture of Hollywood in the 1930s, and the power that the movie studios held over their employees.

The film's title comes from the fact that Douglas was labeled "Girl 27" by MGM executives, who assigned each of their extras a number. This dehumanizing practice made it easier for the studio to cover up Douglas's rape, and to cast her as a liar when she spoke out about it. But the film works to give her back her name and her voice.

Through archival footage and photographs, the film shows us what life was like for young women trying to make it as extras in 1930s Hollywood. We see the crowded dormitories where they lived and the long hours they worked, for very little pay. We also learn about the studio system that controlled every aspect of their lives, from their appearance to their behavior. The film argues that this system made it easy for men like David Ross, the man who raped Patricia Douglas, to get away with terrible crimes.

Director David Stenn, who discovered Douglas's story while researching his book Bombshell: The Life and Death of Jean Harlow, takes a measured approach to his subject. He lets Douglas's story unfold slowly, and he gives us plenty of context for the events that took place. He also allows his interview subjects to speak candidly, without narration or on-screen text. The result is a film that feels both personal and objective.

One of the most striking things about Girl 27 is the way it explores the concept of "casting couch culture." This term refers to the practice of men in power using their influence to coerce women into sexual relationships. In Hollywood, this culture was (and still is) rampant. The film shows us how the studios were complicit in this practice, and how they often punished the women who refused to play along. We hear from women who worked in Hollywood then and now, and their stories are both heartbreaking and infuriating.

Another aspect of Girl 27 that stands out is the use of animation. Because there is so little visual evidence of Patricia Douglas's story, the filmmakers use animation to take us inside her experience. We see Douglas dancing and laughing at the party, then we see her terror when she is attacked. The animation is simple but effective, and it gives the film a unique visual style.

Overall, Girl 27 is a powerful and important documentary. It shines a light on a dark chapter in Hollywood history, and on the bravery of a young woman who refused to stay silent. It also speaks to wider issues of sexual assault, workplace harassment, and the abuse of power. Though the story is difficult to hear, the film ultimately leaves us with a sense of hope, as we watch Patricia Douglas reclaim her name and her dignity.

Girl 27 is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.