Watch Glen or Glenda?

Glen or Glenda? is a thought-provoking and highly personal project by none other than Ed Wood. The movie explores gender identity and sexual orientation, making it an important and groundbreaking work for its time. Starring Bela Lugosi, Daniel Davis, Dolores Fuller, Tommy Haynes, Timothy Farrell, Lyle Talbot and Donald Woods, Glen and Glenda details the struggles of the titular character as he grapples with his own identity.

The film opens with a shot of Glen (played by Wood himself) staring into the mirror, unsure of who he truly is. He is a cross-dresser who longs to express his feminine side, but fears societal backlash. The audience is then introduced to Dr. Alton, played by Bela Lugosi, who serves as the film's narrator. Dr. Alton addresses the camera directly, speaking about the subject of gender identity.

As the film progresses, we learn more about Glen's life, including his relationship with his girlfriend, Barbara. She is accepting of Glen's desire to dress in women's clothing, but the two are still struggling to find balance in their relationship. Glen also has a male alter-ego named Glenda, who he turns to when he's feeling particularly feminine. Glenda is much more confident than Glen, embracing her femininity without fear.

Throughout the film, we are shown glimpses of other characters who are also dealing with gender identity issues. There is a man named Alan who is contemplating gender-reassignment surgery, and a woman who was born intersex, making her feel like an outcast from both the male and female communities. These characters help to paint a picture of the wide range of experiences that people have when it comes to gender.

The film is also notable for its use of dream sequences. These are used to highlight Glen's inner turmoil, showing us his fears and anxieties in a surreal and often disturbing way. In one particularly memorable scene, Glen imagines himself being subjected to a medieval torture device called the Rack, symbolizing the pain and suffering that he believes he will face if he comes out as a cross-dresser.

Another aspect of Glen or Glenda? that stands out is its use of stock footage. Wood uses footage of everything from atomic bombs to circus acts to illustrate his ideas about society and gender. While this would be seen as lazy filmmaking by modern standards, it is a testament to Wood's innovative approach to filmmaking at the time.

Overall, Glen or Glenda? is a fascinating and important work that challenges our ideas about gender and identity. While it can be heavy-handed at times (especially with Lugosi's narration), it is a sincere and heartfelt work that deserves to be seen by anyone with an interest in the subject matter. While not without its flaws, Glen or Glenda? is a true work of art that continues to be relevant to this day.

Glen or Glenda? is a 1953 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes.