Imposed Sexism

Man, it just chaps my hide when a movie imposes sexism in its version of a book. First "Prince Caspian" was crazy sexist (okay, the book was too, but the movie was worse), and now "Cheaper by the Dozen."

I am of course referring to the 1950 version, and not the appalling 2003 travesty. We will speak no more of that.

In the book, there's a touching chapter revolving around Mr. Gilbreth and his daughter Lillie, aged about 10 at the time, I think. Mr. Gilbreth takes sealed bids from his kids to determine who will paint the back fence for the least amount of money, and Lillie wins the contract with her ridiculously low bid of $.47, the amount she needs for a pair of roller skates she's saving up for.

She paints everyday after school for weeks. She gets blisters, sunburn, and exhausts herself to the point that she can hardly eat or sleep. Her mom wants her dad to release her from the contract, but he refuses, saying that she needs to learn that she must honor her word, and letting her off won't teach her that.

Eventually she finishes. She goes to her dad in tears and says something like: "There. It's finished and I hope you're satisfied. Now may I please have my 47 cents?" He gives her $.47 cents, a kiss, and -- a pair of roller skates. Awesome parenting.

Now, here's how it goes in the movie:

Mr. Gilbreth: Now, do I hear any reasonable bids?
Lily: Uh, I bid 47 cents.
Mr. Gilbreth: 47 cents?
Lily: Please, daddy, let me do it!
Mr. Gilbreth: Tell me: how'd you happen to hit on 47 cents?
Lily: I've been savings to buy a pair of roller skates and that's how much I need.
Mr. Gilbreth: But you're going to get skates for your birthday!
Mrs. Gilbreth: Frank!
Mr. Gilbreth: Oh, I'm sorry, lillie. I wasn;t supposed to let that out of the bag.
Lily: Oh, daddy, that's wonderful! Thank you, thank you!
Mr. Gilbreth: Besides, that's too big a job for a little girl like you!

And the job goes to one of the boys for $2.50.

Way to suck, 1950.