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Just what did he see in her? mild spoilers

posted 18 years ago by dead_doll00
17 replies | jump to latest

Lord Love a Duck has always been one of my favourite films. Roddy McDowall and Tuesday Weld both did outstanding jobs and the rest of the cast was also great. Yet, I just can't grasp what motivated McDowall's character, Alan, to do what he did. I mean, we know he was obviously deeply in love with Barbara-Anne, but...why? He was obviously intelligent and you would think he knew (particularly by the end) just how much of a vapid, shallow person she was. So why love her? Why do all he did for her? Was it simply a case of (utterly) blind love? Any thoughts?

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] holdencopywriting 17 years ago

I don't see Barbara Anne as vapid and shallow. I think of her as innocent and not very bright--the kind of person you might want to protect because she really doesn't know what the heck she's doing and isn't intelligent enough to foresee the results of her actions or someone else's actions. If you combine this vulnerability with looking great in tight pedal-pushers, I think you have a combination that would be fascinating to many people, including Alan.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] terrythomas 17 years ago

One of the running jokes of the film seems to be the way that virtually every male character Barbara Anne meets get caught up in her "spell" (the schlocky film producer, the ineffectual high school principal, the marriage counselor she eventually marries, even her own FATHER); it could be the same thing happened with Alan.

[–] rockmail 17 years ago

Nope, not a clue any of you. Humans are much more complicated than you begin to imagine or give credit for.

He wasn't in "love" with her. He was "attracted" to her sexually, period.

He acheived his sexual fullfillment with her through manipulating her life and observing the results. His "hypnosis", arranging for her "heart's desires", and even going to the point of moving in with her future mother-in-law were all methods of totally controlling her life, then observing it.

What he somewhat imagined was "love", was simply lust - he knew subconsciously that she was much too stupid and shallow to be worth marrying, so he used her like a beautiful puppet. He was quite cruel to her and everyone else around her (getting the mother-in-law drunk, trying to kill the husband multiple times, etc.) but it didn't matter. Their lives were simply entertainment for him to enjoy.

He didn't want to be "involved" with her, he wanted to be "cuckolded" in a fashion. He wanted others to play the role of lover so he could watch and get his jollies off. It's difficult for many people to understand this desire, but it does exist. If this movie was made today, there would be a scene with him pleasuring himself while watching Bob and Barbara Ann get it on. Not subtle, but at least then you'd all understand what he was up to.

Remember at the beginning when they were in his car, and he said that "she wouldn't have to DO anything (to him)? There's your clue - the boy just wanted to watch. Remember on the beach when Bob and Barbara went off (with Alan's blessing) to make out behind the rocks? ALAN TAPED THEM no less! Duh, he's a voyeur, people. There would not have ever been a "relationship" possible for Barbara and Alan. If she ever actually made a move on HIM, he'd run screaming.

Did you not notice that the ultimate goal he achieved for her was getting her cast as the star of a stupid sex farce bikini movie? With that, he could imagine millions of people getting aroused by his "dream girl" and be aroused himself by that.

She of course was shallow and stupid enough to be the perfect automaton for his desires.

Sorry to burst the "romance" bubble for you all, but there was absolutely no romance in this movie - that's the way it was written and produced. It was SUPPOSED to show how stupidly impossible romance would be in these movies - a farce.

[–] misterblister69 17 years ago

Forty years later, we can see the attraction between Alan and Barbara Ann in a different light. He is not attracted to her sexually, but perhaps he sees her as the beautiful, vapid girl he wishes he could be.

Roddy McDowell was gay, and I think he is playing Alan as gay, too. In today's world, he would be out and happily working as Barbara Ann's stylist, lifestyle coach, etc.

The fact that Alan moves in with Ruth Gordon is a tip off, too. Her son Robert is a mama's boy who escapes by marrying Barbara Ann and Alan takes his place. Ruth Gordon was married to a man purported to be gay, Garson Kanin. And of course she was Maude to Bud Cort's Harold.

Well, it's all conjecture, but fun. A great movie nevertheless!

[–] rockmail 17 years ago

Yes, I didn't want to bring up the gay angle, since I don't actually know if it was intentional on the writer/director's part.

But one could certainly see a very campy and gay angle to Roddy's character. It would be a very typical "best girlfriend" (from a gay male angle) portrayal.

And then yes, it would basically be a psychological control interest in the Barbara Ann character.

Definitely not confirmed, but it would interesting if it COULD be confirmed.

Very interesting take of yours on Alan living life THROUGH Barbara Ann's character... I think that's very valid and makes sense!

[–] finnegan-8 17 years ago

I think a certain point is being missed in the relationship between Tuesday and Roddy. She was the only person in his life with enough complexity of character to be interesting to him. She represented the only challenge that he couldn’t easily solve, and the only person that he couldn’t easily manipulate or control. In fact when she announced she wanted Bobby his one complaint was that Bobby wasn’t a real enough person. He was contemptuous of every other character because he could so easily make them do whatever he wanted.
Additionally Roddy’s character lacked any motivation of his own. He had the ability to make almost anybody do or think whatever he wanted but he didn’t want anything. Tuesday represented desire. It’s not so much that he desired her as that he desired the desire that she had in such abundance. Without Tuesday he had no purpose whatsoever.

[–] gattboy 10 years ago

^this

[–] JohnK9 17 years ago

Not to mention she is outrageously hot.

[–] JekyllBoote-1 16 years ago

This is a multi-layered movie and I don't think that the director, George Axelrod, intended there to be any straightforward solution to the many puzzles it poses.

At one level the "gay friend" angle is plausible (not least because of McDowall's own private sexuality), and was, I suspect, partly intended. (In the context of the 60s it could be alluded to, but not stated explicitly.) Even so, this does not exhaust the film's meaning.

Another plausible suggestion is that McDowall's character Alan (Mollymauk) is a voyeur, taking vicarious pleasure at the sexual opportunities he provides Barbara Ann with.

Elsewhere I have detected an undercurrent of occultism/satanism in this movie. (Satanism was big in Southern California in the 60s, especially in the worlds of film and showbusiness.) Alan is certainly a Mephistophelean character (even "unlocking" Barbara Ann's innermost desires with his keyring, and making her sign (her soul away?) in setting concrete (with a prophetic "danger" sign next to it) in exchange for her wishes being fulfilled).

This is an immensely rich and complex film. Tuesday Weld shows commendable artistic judgement in ranking it her favourite among her own movies.

[–] nycbutterfly 16 years ago

These ideas are interesting... This is one of my absolute favorite movies too, (I even stayed up last night to watch on TCM even though I have the DVD). If you can find it, you should read the novel. The story is a bit different, (set in Iowa instead of California, being only one example), and there is a lot more detail regarding Alan and Barbara Ann's relationship.

And I don't think we can make the pronouncement that Roddy McDowall was gay. He's the only one who would have known, and he didn't tell, so anything said here is simply speculation.

Julie

[–] Exorcist666 15 years ago

Roddy McDowell is simply shedding light on your typical gay 37 year old High School senior with sociopathic Svengali tendencies-living down the block..
So what's the big deal??

This is the fore-runner to "Valley Of The Dolls", "Beyond The Valley Of the Dolls"..etc

[–] hockeyhrs 10 years ago

A prominent movie actor who was never known (photographed in public) in romantic relationships with females?

Roddy was either gay or the world's fiercest misanthrope.

Since he was almost as famous in Hollywood for the parties he threw (as much as his acting), which do you think is the most likely answer? (Hint: he wasn't a misanthrope!)

[–] morganscorpion-1 14 years ago

She's a narcissist, he's a voyeur. Marriage made in heaven. Or hell.

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!

[–] toycoon-too 8 years ago

Mollymuck is intrigued, infatuated, and slightly obbessed with Barbara Ann. Barbara Ann is totally self absorbed and probably doesn't mind sharing her life with her screwy and stylish friend. I never get the feeling he is sexually attracted to Barbara Ann. Oh yeah, she may or may not be Mephistopheles to his Faust.

The most important thing is being sincere, even if you have to fake it. - Cesar Romero

[–] Jennie_Portrait 8 years ago

Mollymuck is clearly gay. He is devoted to Barbara as a dear friend, but she is also a Nietzchean project. He was dedicated to making her his superwoman. I think it is a very good film, but it is very very dark.

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Just what did he see in her? *mild spoilers*

Just what did he see in her? mild spoilers