Gender representations in Film Noir- I researched the representation of gender in 'The Chase' Directed by Arthur Ripley in 1946

The Representations of Gender in Film Noir

Women

In film noir there is a reoccurring theme of a strong female femme fatale character (antagonist) who are over sexualised and hold sexual power and ambition over the main male character. These women are seeking independence and often freedom from relationships with men where they are not fulfilled. The female characters represent a disturbance to the main male characters and often manipulate the protagonist to assist her in getting rid off the Male (often husband).

Femme Fatale

Men

In film Noir the male protagonist is often a detractive or an otherwise social alienated individual. The protagonist often gets tangled up in issues and has an interest in the erotic (femme fatale). The idea is that this character lives in a distorting world and often struggles with mental health issues and relationships.

Male Protagonist

Representation of gender in 'The Chase' (1946)

 'The Chase' is a film noir directed by Arthur Ripley, it’s based on a book by Cornell Woolrich. The male characters are represented as stereotypically bad men, for example Eddie Roman. Gino is Romans positively weirder, sterioypical scary henchman. Chuck Scott is a soldier suffering from anxiety neurosis (more commonly known as PTSD), he is one of many traumatised soldiers struggling with severe mental health issues due to the tragedy's of the war, he is not mentally stable. He's been hired as a chauffeur and gives the impression that he is easily manipulated and taken advantage of by women as he is in need of love and nurture due to his struggles.

Romans beautiful wife lorna is a hostage whop needs someone to rescue her- she is presented as a stereotypical vulnerable woman who is reliant on a man to function, she is presented as desperate and not fussy, implying she has a lack of self respect and is not hard to get, therefore it makes sense that she chooses an easy man to get with who suffers from anxiety disorder.