Whether you
consider a threesome a ménage
à trois or a polyamorous relationship the sexy romps, once taboo, have become commonplace
in both books and movies over the past half dozen years.
Recently, I
stumbled across a 2017 movie titled, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women. The
movie is a biographical sketch of William Moulton Marston, professor of
psychology at Harvard University, inventor of the lie detector, and ... most
notably ... creator of Wonder Woman!
Professor Marston
spent the majority of his adult life in a polyamorous relationship with his
legal wife, Elizabeth (also an academic), and their lover Olive Byrne. Their
relationship began in the classroom, when Olive took a position as Dr. Marston’s
teaching assistant, with both Elizabeth and Olive assisting in the design of
the lie detector. Once news of their unusual relationship got out, Professor
and Mrs. Marston were fired from Harvard. The story is told in flashbacks
beginning in the late 1920s and ending in the mid-1940s just prior to Marston’s
death.
What I never
realized until I watched the movie was that the original Wonder Woman comic was
filled with overtly sexual, sadomasochistic, and lesbian imagery.
It was this content that initiated a hearing before a “decency” panel who would
decide if the comic would be pulled from the shelves.
After Marston’s
death, Wonder Woman was re-tooled with the sexual imagery removed along with
the character’s super powers. It wasn’t until 1972 when Gloria Steinem put
Wonder Woman on the cover of the first issue of Ms. Magazine as the perfect example of female empowerment that the
comic book heroine would regain her super powers. Just a note: Marston used his invention of the lie detector as
inspiration for Wonder Woman’s lasso of truth!
This movie was
artistically stunning. The acting superb. The period clothing and scenery were spot on. Despite
the theme of the movie, there was very little nudity. The swear words were
minimal as well and, when used, fit perfectly into the context of the story.
I would definitely
recommend the movie to anyone who enjoys a great story with a wonderful tease
of sexuality!
~ ~ ~
Another reason the
movie appealed to me so much is because of the time period. I love the
decadence, the imagery of the 1920s and 30s. My 1920’s novella, The Muse, is also a ménage à
trois. Rather than being set in academia, the story is set in the world of art
and music.
Decadence, freedom
and illegal activities…
Everything a
sheltered debutante in the mid-1920s could want. When Hyde Park socialite Susan
Leland meets up with Evan Forrester for the second time, she makes no excuses
for their first meeting—an auto accident in which she broke the young artist’s
wrist. She finds the handsome Evan both infuriating and intriguing, yet not
quite as intriguing as sultry torch singer Holly Winters, a performer at
Susan’s favorite supper club.
A chance to make
amends…
By posing nude for
Evan to paint. When Susan balks, Evan, not wanting to deal with an innocent,
sends her away but not before the arrival of his next model, Holly Winters. As
Susan’s preparing to leave, the beautiful and talented singer convinces her to
come back the next day—so they can pose together.
Will Susan find
happiness in the arms of Evan Forrester—or another?
~ ~ ~
Priced at 99¢ and also available in paperback and audio format. Click on
the title above to be taken to Amazon!
~ ~ ~
Until next month
... enjoy the change of seasons with a warm drink and a good book.
Nancy
