Review of Glen or Glenda (1953) by Mark O — 27 Apr 2009
Ed Wood's opera prima is way ahead of its time. A sensationalist take on the controversial matter of transvestism and sex change, but that doesn't keep it from being absolutely nuts and hilarious, almost surreal.
Wood could have been a pitiful and mildly mentally impaired man, but he was definitely an auteur who envisioned and created and specific kind of work. Though poor, the results always leave you wandering whether he was insane or he was just a genius pulling off a big, elaborate joke.
On the other hand, Bela Lugosi, the man who once was a mega star, was here in the rock bottom. But strangely, he sort of raises the film's quality (not to say hilarity) thanks to his larger than life way of reciting Wood's dreadfully convoluted and idiotic writing. He makes a Greek tragedy out of every sentence.
Edward D. Wood Jr. was like a child working with crayons, and I guess that's why one has to feel some affection for him and his equally weird troupe of underachievers.
I was certainly mesmerized with this, especially the dream sequence, one of the most raving mad scenes I've ever witnessed.
This review of Glen or Glenda (1953) was written by Mark O on 27 Apr 2009.
Glen or Glenda has generally received negative reviews.
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