In the 1920s they were exotic, by the end of the 1960s they were even Jewish, but they were always beautiful and invariably thin. How accurately did Hollywood films reflect the changing status of women in American society and how far did they influence that change? How was it possible that both Doris Day and Marilyn Monroe could represent the American woman of the 1950s? Dietrich, Crawford, Davis, Lombard, Lamarr, Hayworth, Gardner, Stanwyck, Loren… The choice of stars from which to answer these questions is fascinating but seemingly endless.

Dr. Colin Shindler (London www.highamhall.com/colin-shindler)
Residential: £375 Non-residential: £265