Girl 27 Review
February 19th 2011 08:28
Girl 27 Review
Written/Directed by: David Stenn
Starring: Patricia Douglas, Baby Peggy, Richard Bann and Kelly Brown
DVD Release Date: July 27, 2007
Studio: TLR Productions
RATING: 4 Stars
A couple of nights ago I watched a wonderful documentary on Netflix stream called “Girl 27.” This particular documentary is not categorized in the horror genre, but it is however a horrific story of former MGM extra Patricia Douglas who was attacked and raped in the late 1930s.
The documentary was written and directed by David Stenn who formerly produced and wrote for such shows as 21 Jump Street, Beverly Hills 90210 and Central Park West - C.P.W. Stenn is also known for penning a biography on Hollywood starlet Jean Harlow. The editor for the Harlow book was none other than Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
I’m normally drawn to documentaries as a whole, but for some reason this one intrigued me more than most. I guess it’s because it was about a young girl under the age of 18, who was invited to a convention given by MGM back in 1937. It in fact was a cover for one of their ritualistic stag parties. Over 100 girls were invited to attend and supposedly learn of parts for an upcoming film. Back then, unknowing naďve girls like these would never suspect a MGM executive of doing anything inappropriate. And none of them really knew any better but to believe every little detail they were told.
These under-aged girls were encouraged to drink champagne during dinner and if they refused, their noses were pinched and it was poured down their throat so they wouldn’t be looked at as poor sports. Many of the girls were coaxed to different locations of the grounds and Patricia was asked by one of the executives to accompany him out to his car to retrieve something. She did so willingly as she didn’t want to further upset any of the big-wigs at the party. Patricia was attacked in the parking lot and punched repeatedly until the executive was able to force her into the backseat. The next thing she knew, the parking attendant manager was standing over her assuring her he’d called 911 and called for help.
After Patricia recovered from her ordeal, she attempted to take her case to court and prosecute the man who had so brutally attacked her. MGM chairman Louis B. Mayer had obviously paid off any witnesses, the judge and even Patricia’s own attorney to keep this case under wraps. Patricia’s case was basically swept under the rug, filed in the deepest MGM vault possible and nothing further was ever investigated. Other girls came forward over the next several years and their cries for help also went unheard. Instead they were called easy, tarts and said whatever happened to them, they basically got what they deserved for being a slut.
What happened to Patricia Douglas not only devastated her, it took her innocence and forever changed her life. She became a cold, bitter woman unable to trust anyone – even people in her own family. This is a must-see documentary…..especially for women. There are far too many crimes of this nature that take place on a daily basis within our world, and they a lot of times will go unreported because the victims are too afraid to stand up against people in powerful positions. But for women and girls like this, the pain never lessens, nor do the nightmares attacks like this bring about for simple, every day people.
Written/Directed by: David Stenn
Starring: Patricia Douglas, Baby Peggy, Richard Bann and Kelly Brown
DVD Release Date: July 27, 2007
Studio: TLR Productions
RATING: 4 Stars
A couple of nights ago I watched a wonderful documentary on Netflix stream called “Girl 27.” This particular documentary is not categorized in the horror genre, but it is however a horrific story of former MGM extra Patricia Douglas who was attacked and raped in the late 1930s.
The documentary was written and directed by David Stenn who formerly produced and wrote for such shows as 21 Jump Street, Beverly Hills 90210 and Central Park West - C.P.W. Stenn is also known for penning a biography on Hollywood starlet Jean Harlow. The editor for the Harlow book was none other than Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
I’m normally drawn to documentaries as a whole, but for some reason this one intrigued me more than most. I guess it’s because it was about a young girl under the age of 18, who was invited to a convention given by MGM back in 1937. It in fact was a cover for one of their ritualistic stag parties. Over 100 girls were invited to attend and supposedly learn of parts for an upcoming film. Back then, unknowing naďve girls like these would never suspect a MGM executive of doing anything inappropriate. And none of them really knew any better but to believe every little detail they were told.
These under-aged girls were encouraged to drink champagne during dinner and if they refused, their noses were pinched and it was poured down their throat so they wouldn’t be looked at as poor sports. Many of the girls were coaxed to different locations of the grounds and Patricia was asked by one of the executives to accompany him out to his car to retrieve something. She did so willingly as she didn’t want to further upset any of the big-wigs at the party. Patricia was attacked in the parking lot and punched repeatedly until the executive was able to force her into the backseat. The next thing she knew, the parking attendant manager was standing over her assuring her he’d called 911 and called for help.
After Patricia recovered from her ordeal, she attempted to take her case to court and prosecute the man who had so brutally attacked her. MGM chairman Louis B. Mayer had obviously paid off any witnesses, the judge and even Patricia’s own attorney to keep this case under wraps. Patricia’s case was basically swept under the rug, filed in the deepest MGM vault possible and nothing further was ever investigated. Other girls came forward over the next several years and their cries for help also went unheard. Instead they were called easy, tarts and said whatever happened to them, they basically got what they deserved for being a slut.
What happened to Patricia Douglas not only devastated her, it took her innocence and forever changed her life. She became a cold, bitter woman unable to trust anyone – even people in her own family. This is a must-see documentary…..especially for women. There are far too many crimes of this nature that take place on a daily basis within our world, and they a lot of times will go unreported because the victims are too afraid to stand up against people in powerful positions. But for women and girls like this, the pain never lessens, nor do the nightmares attacks like this bring about for simple, every day people.
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