In these days of equal opportunities, a white actor dressed up as an asian character offends our sensibilities but it's on an going development in acting. Originally say in Shakespeare's time, men played every role regardless of genda. Then women gradually got welcomed in to play women, and then other nationalities joined in. It was all acting but TV, film and Theatre is pretty much totally based on reality now. It's certainly becoming a case where a disabled character will have to be played by a disabled actor etc.Dandy Forsdyke wrote:It doesn't necessarily reflect my opinion, I just happened to have the book handy and was interested in what it had to say. I agree with your comments.Mona wrote: Dandy: I'm interested in the sexism comment about "Trap". I hadn't see sexism as an issue in the episode. Does the sexism come from using Purdey's bra as a slingshot? (Or, hmm, from Steed and Gambit both having their Woman of the Week Club in full gear at the beginning? Oh, wait, it's not sexism to sleep around with a woman for a week and then move on to another one--that's the natural personality of the main male stars we love!)
Considering Purdey does wear a bra, not sure how making a tool of it is sexism. I mean, how do you make a slingshot from Gambit's tightie whities? Won't work--you need a bra. I never was offended by that. If there is another sexist attribute aside from that one, please let me know.
Look at Charlie Chan movies--no actor portraying Charlie Chan was ever Asian; they were all Caucasians dressed up as Asian, although, oddly, Chan's sons were truly Asian. There was a history of that in film/TV making--I don't agree with it myself, but in context 35 years ago it was not yet seen as problematic or so offensive to our modern knowledge there were skilled Asian actors who should have earned that role.
There was indeed a bad pun in the tag of the episode, absolutely, which all makes us cringe no doubt, but the episode didn't otherwise wreak of racist comments. We have heard of Steed being chased by Russians, shot by Germans, in prison in Nee Sang (probably by the Chinese), etc, throughout his career; now he is chased by the Chinese (again?). The innate nationality of the bad guys does not bespeak racism. I mean, probably the Russians could not stand the character of Brodny--at least Soo Choy had some brains and dignity.
Mona
When one is talking about a product of the 1970s criticisng sexism is as pointless as admonishing a tattoo in a high secruity prison, but the racism is based around an Englishman posing as (and I quote the book again) "an odd mixture of Japanese, Chinese, but mostly Causasian and talking like Baron Greenback out of Danger Mouse.
It's fair to say there possibly weren't many Asian actors available in the UK at the time. And is this a greater crime than Peter Sellers playing a French man in the Clouseau movies or an Indian Doctor in The Millionairess
Terry Wood as Sou Choy is an interesting issue as he is only the physical form, I believe I'm accurate in saying that the voice was supplied by Robert Rietty who also appeared in the episode - well known for his voice work like on early bond villains.
The Avengers presents the stereotype. The whole Avengersland is a stereotype of how the world thinks of "England". It's the same with any other nationality appearing in the show, they subscribe to the cliché. The Chinese usually talk about Confucius etc. Trap was doing the usual thing but as The New Avengers has more of a footing in the real world (as intended), it stands out rather awkwardly. I'm sure even the final gag was always meant to be groan worthy - but I'm not going to get offended for someone else.
I really enjoy Trap personally as it's all about the groovy music and the relationship of the leads.
.
)