[QUOTE=Miss Mapp]
As I understand it, the ladies would be embarrassed if there were an accident and they were discovered wearing long underwear by the ambulance attendants. Kind of like the way your mother (in the general sense) always said you should wear clear underwear in case you were in an accident.
[/QUOTE]
I don’t recall the exact wording of the joke, but I remember thinking when I saw it: “that would make more sense if she said ‘…we’re wearing clean underwear.’” My interpretation is basically the opposite of Miss Mapp’s: If they got into an accident it would be OK because their undergarments are properly modest and ladylike. Or, that it would be OK because their underwear would keep them warm while waiting for rescue.
[QUOTE=Otto]
The painting is definitely a copy of Sir Joshua Reynolds’ portrait of Sarah Siddons as The Tragic Muse. Seen here. Sarah Siddons being the namesake of the (at the time) fictional award given Eve at the start of the film.
And for funsies, here’s Bette Davis en tableaux as the painting.
As to why the camera lingers on it, I don’t think it’s too terribly significant. It’s in the shot and the shot has to end, so the camera holds on it for a few seconds before the fadeout.
[/QUOTE]
It doesn’t linger on it. It pans a bit and zooms in on it.
But you’re probably right in that it means nothing.
I just thought the long underware was about it being cold outside.
[QUOTE=Miss Mapp]
As I understand it, the ladies would be embarrassed if there were an accident and they were discovered wearing long underwear by the ambulance attendants. Kind of like the way your mother (in the general sense) always said you should wear clear underwear in case you were in an accident.
Not LOL, okay, but I think that’s the point of the joke.
[/QUOTE]
Miss Mapp is correct. Lloyd basically says that he doesn’t intend to have an accident, and Margo replies: “It doesn’t matter whether you intend to or not. We are wearing long underwear.” Two sophisticated NY ladies would not wish to be caught unawares in utterly unglam underwear.
I’ve always chuckled at the dialogue myself, since it not only amuses to think of la diva Margo in red flannel undies with a flap in the back, but also it’s a cute moment that breaks a bit of the tension lingering from the previous scene (the argument between Margo and Bill).
Every character in this movie is gay-by-default. This picture couldn’t be any gayer if it were reshot by John Waters from an Armistead Maupin treatment.
