USA, 1953
65m [USA], 67m [USA – re-issue]
35mm film, black and white, 1.37:1
mono, English
An American fantasy film directed by Edward D. Wood Jr.
Plot Summary
Glen is a confused young man who finds himself happiest when dressing in women’s clothing. He struggles to come to terms with his fetish, watched over by a spirit who periodically comments cryptically on the story.
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Edward D. Wood Jr
Copyright MCMLIII Screen Classics Productions
George Weiss presents
Produced Under the Personal Supervision of: George Weiss
Unit Director: Scott McCloud
Original Story Written by: Edward D. Wood Jr
Director of Photography: William C. Thompson
Camera Operator: Bert Shipham
Stills: Larry Smith *
Editor: “Bud” Schelling
Musical Consultant: Sandford H. Dickinson
Sound Technician: Ben Winkler
Make-up: Harry Thomas
Settings: Jack Miles
Medical Advisor: Dr Nathan Bailey
Locations: Quality Studios, Hollywood, California, USA *; Larchmont Studios, Hollywood, California, USA *
Cast
Bela Lugosi (scientist)
Lyle Talbot (inspector [Warren])
Timothy Farrell (psychiatrist [Dr Alton/narrator])
Dolores Fuller (Barbara)
“Tommy” Haynes (Alan-Ann)
Daniel Davis [Edward D. Wood Jr] (Glen-Glenda)
Charles Crafts (Johnny)
Connie Brooks [Conrad Brooks] (banker[/reporter/pickup artist/bearded drag])
Henry Bederski [man with hat and receding hairline] *
Captain DeZita [the devil/Glen’s father] *
Shirley Speril [Miss Stevens] *
Harry Thomas [man in nightmare] *
William C. Thompson [judge] *
Mr Walter [Patrick/Patricia] *
George Weiss [janitor in Patrick’s apartment/man at transvestite’s suicide] *
Evelyn Wood [Sheila] *
Helen Miles [bit part] *
Alternative Titles
He or She? – alternative title
I Changed My Sex – alternative title
I Led Two Lives – alternative title
Louis ou Louise – France, Belgium
Transvestite – alternative title
Yo Cambie Mi Sexo – Argentina
Links
See also
Ed Wood (1994)
Extracts included in
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made (2004)
Ed Wood: Look Back in Angora (1994)
Exploitation Classics (1985)
Horrible Horror (1986)
It Came from Hollywood (1982)
Screwed (2000)
Sleazemania Strikes Back (1985)
Press
1979
Time Out no.501 (23 November 1979) p.62 (UK)
A deeply moving plea for human understanding, years ahead of its time, – from a review by Tony Rayns
1981
Time Out no.569 (13 March 1981) p.35
[A] masquerade of good intentions shot with all the panache of an Indian restaurant commercial […] [I]t’s a film that defies description. – from a review by Chris Petit
Variety 27 May 1981 p.16 (USA)
Though opening credits warn of film’s “stark realism”, director Ed Wood’s use of stock footage, cheap sets, perfunctory visuals and recited-lecture dialog gives the picture a phony quality. What distinguished it from other low-budget efforts are the occasional mad flights of fancy (…) With its wacky and often hilarious dialog and narration completing the concoction, Glen or Glenda? is a diverting curio. – from a review by Lor
References
Periodicals
- Classic Images no.274 (April 1998) pp.43-44 – review
- Empire November 1998 p.98 – review
- Films and Filming no.352 (January 1984) p.3 – note (Newsreel: Video releases)
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.48 no.572 (September 1981) p.179 – synopsis, credits, review
- Time Out no.501 (23 November 1979) p.62 – listing, review (by Tony Rayns)
- Time Out no.569 (13 March 1981) p.35 – listing, review (by Chris Petit)
- Variety 27 May 1981 p.16 – review (by Lor)
Books
- 500 Essential Cult Movies: The Ultimate Guide by Jennifer Eiss with J.P. Rutter and Steve White p.38 – illustrated credits, synopsis, review
- The Devil on Screen: Feature Films Worldwide, 1913 Through 2000 by Charles P. Mitchell p.307
- Horror and Science Fiction Films II by Donald C. Willis p.154-155
- Nightmare of Ecstasy: Life and Art of Edward D. Wood by Rudolph Grey pp.197-198 – article
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.165 – credits
- The Sons and Daughters of Erotica by Edward D. Wood Jr – production notes
- A Study of the Sons and Daughters of Erotica by Dick Trent & Dr. T.K. Peters – production notes (by Edward D. Wood Jr)
- A Study in the Motivation of Censorship, Sex and the Movies by Edward D. Wood Jr – production notes
