What do Lady Tottington from Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Wererabbit, Jenny Bennett from Monster House, and Elsa Van Helsing from Frankenweenie have in common?
At first glance, not much, except that they are not the leads of their movies. But closer inspection shows us that they are each in a story that halts and stammers and explodes due to mob mentality. Groupthink. Mass delusion. When angry and scared people come together, terrible things can happen. Join us as we give these women their due while exploring what mob mentality is, and how it affects humans. Spoiler alert: It affects us really, really easily. Add in an exploration of Mary Shelley and the creation of Frankenstein, the history of werewolves and wererabbits (yes, there is actual history for the latter,) and a peek into the original Frankenweenie short film, and you've got episode 4 of The Damsel Dialogues Season 2: DAMSELS OF DEATH!
Music and SFX by Zapsplat.com
Links
https://www.wattpad.com/729772698-supernatural-myths-explained
https://theconversation.com/the-ancient-origins-of-werewolves-104775
https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/killer-rabbits-in-medieval-manuscripts/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/facing-trauma-together/202101/the-psychology-mob-mentality
https://news.miami.edu/stories/2021/01/scholars-examine-the-mob-mentality.html
https://drwendyjames.com/the-psychology-of-mob-mentality-and-violence/
https://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html
https://arraybc.com/what-is-mob-mentality
https://gizmodo.com/how-to-know-whether-your-house-is-occupied-by-demonic-f-791412055
https://www.newportri.com/article/20161025/entertainment/310259989
When this world feels oppressive, mean or cruel (gee, what's that like?) it's tempting to imagine another world to which we could escape. Stories like Coraline and James and the Giant Peach mirror those fantasies in a magical, and sometimes grotesque, way, and allow us to envision what could be. There's the good: Giant insects that demonstrate real friendship, a wise cat guide...And there's the bad: A narcissistic spider witch of Romanian lore who traps her prey using their deepest desires, for example. Come along with us as we explore the mythology and legends behind the women of Coraline and James and the Giant Peach, and imagine what could be behind the portal in your own hidden worlds.
SFX/Music by Zapsplat.com
Links
https://www.ranker.com/list/coraline-beldam/erin-cody
https://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/beldan/
https://weirdfictionreview.com/2011/11/creepy-classic-lucy-cliffords-the-new-mother/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gaiman
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-uncanny-valley-4846247
https://www.learnreligions.com/are-voodoo-dolls-real-95807
https://scaquarium.org/luck-lady-bug/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insects_in_mythology#Symbols,_amulets_and_omens
https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2019/08/cats.html
https://basepaws.com/blogs/news/meowgical-mythology-of-cats
https://bnr.bg/en/post/101218868/mice-in-folklore-beliefs-and-traditions
https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/unexplained-phenomena/water-dowsing.htm
Family Expectations can truly be kooky, spooky, and altogether ooky, and even the most fantastical families have their issues. Join us for Episode 2 of Season 2, as we use The Addams Family and Hotel Transylvania to explore family dynamics. Learn about the history of vampires, goth culture and 1960’s television, while answering the question, “What is normal, anyway?” Wednesday, Morticia and Mavis are this week’s Damsels of Death, and they are dying for you to join us.
SFX provided by Zapsplat.com
Pods Used as Ref:
Mythology & Fiction Explained - Ep. 22: Vampires: A Brief History of Obsession
Weird History Podcast - Ep. 103: How Gothic Got Goth
Links:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-smarts/202004/parental-expectations-the-helpful-and-the-harmful
https://www.melbournechildpsychology.com.au/blog/6-ways-reassurance-can-actually-make-childrens-anxiety-worse/
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/psychology-self/2018/09/childhood-toxic-shame/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-lifespandevelopment/chapter/family-life-and-parenting-styles/
https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspp0000079.pdf
https://filmschoolrejects.com/spooky-relevance-addams-family/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/cultural-history-addams-family-180973315/
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1620981/trivia/?ref_=tt_trv_trv https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.7227/CST.2.1.5
A ghost is said to be stuck on this mortal plane due to that ubiquitous phrase, "Unfinished Business." They are trapped, unable to move into the next phase because of something that happened while they were alive. Come with us in our inaugural episode of Season 2, The Damsels of Death, as we explore the unfinished business of Emily in The Corpse Bride, and Aggie Prendergast in Paranorman. Learn about the real origins of witches and zombies, and explore how film has used and changed these concepts to create the pointy hat wearing cacklers and lurching corpses we now know so well. Dig under the surface with us as we learn both Victorian and Jewish death rites, and enjoy the lighter side as we swap fun facts about the production of these two delightful Halloween movies. Welcome to Season 2 of The Damsel Dialogues!
Music and SFX by Zapsplat.com
Links:
https://filmschoolrejects.com/witches-on-screen/
http://www.angelpig.net/victorian/engagement.html
https://stacker.com/stories/13619/history-zombie-movies
http://websites.umich.edu/~engl415/zombies/zombie.html
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/judaism
https://www.verywellhealth.com
https://www.victorianlondon.org/cassells/cassells-35.htm
https://www.funeralbasics.org/do-funerals-still-matter/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/59550/era-body-snatchers
https://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/the-tech-behind-paranorman/
www.arthistory.net/victorian-jet-jewelry/
https://www.history.com/news/post-mortem-photos-history
https://victorianmonsters.wordpress.com/victorian-funerary-practices/
www.amazon.com/Murder-Magic-Medicine-John-Mann/dp/0198507445
Instyle.com
Disney really stepped up their game in 2021 when they produced an entire animated feature from home, in quarantine, during a worldwide pandemic. For our final episode of season one, we are discussing Raya and the Last Dragon, a tale of learning to trust again after betrayal, and the absolute need humans have to rely upon each other in order to grow and live freely. These lessons are always relevant, but even more keenly so in the midst of the turmoil we are all experiencing. Join Sarah as she delves one last time into the origins of a princess and the production of her film, and continue on with Jessica as she explores what it means to trust again when trust has been shattered. Raya and Namaari are our final princesses, and what a pair help us finish off season one.
SFX Provided by Zapsplat.com
Historical Links:
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/making-history-while-making-raya-and-the-last-dragon/
https://d23.com/disney-animation-makes-womens-history-while-making-raya-and-the-last-dragon/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raya_and_the_Last_Dragon
Psychological Links:
https://www.moralrevolution.com/blog/3-steps-to-restoring-trust-after-betrayal
"I have crossed the horizon to find you. I know your name. They have stolen the heart from inside you. But this does not define you. This is not who are you are. You know who you are."
These lyrics and the entirety of Moana illustrate the importance and beauty of truly seeing someone for who they are. Whether in regards to the island of Motunui seeing Moana's true gifts and destiny, or Moana being able to see the truth behind Te Ka's anger, this gorgeous movie holds up empathetic connection as true heroism. Join Sarah as she explores the true myths of the god Maui, and the inspiring production behind Moana, and then come with Jessica as she explores the way this film deals with trauma, truth and connection.
SFX Provided by Zapsplat.com
Historical Links:
https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/where-is-moana-from/
http://www.keliiskayak.com/legend-of-maui/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-directors-reveal-how-story-changed-950468/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2016_film)
Psychological Links:
https://bust.com/movies/193300-moana-feminized-heroism.html
https://medium.com/@sarah01890/cw-sexual-assault-db1207b57c3
For the First Time in Forever, we are doing TWO princesses in ONE episode. If you have a problem with that, just Let it Go.
Ok, I'm done.
If you haven't guessed already, this week's episode features Elsa and Anna from the absolute juggernaut of princess movies: FROZEN! Come learn about how Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" inspired the film, and the majestic level of work and time and technology that went into this film, particularly the scene in which Elsa builds her ice fortress. Then join us as we explore how birth order among siblings affects their psychology, and the way attachment styles do the same. Maybe when someone is "cold," they are actually self-protective and scared. Elsa and Anna give us so much to talk about psychologically that it could be a whole other podcast! But for today, join us as we find true sisterly love with the ladies from FROZEN.
SFX & Music by Zapsplat.com
Historical & Production Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_(2013_film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Snow_Queen
https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheSnowQueen_e.html
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a30682/15-frozen-facts-making-of-documentary/
https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheSnowQueen_e.html
https://www.thegamer.com/disney-30-details-behind-making-frozen-ridiculous-words/
https://www.movieviral.com/2013/10/07/50-things-you-may-not-know-about-disneys-frozen/
Psychology Links:
https://www.fandom.com/articles/psychology-frozen-2-elsa
https://birthorderguy.com/parenting/how-birth-order-affects-personality/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-263B-2546
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzlRCtQ5W8A&ab_channel=CinemaTherapy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9oaURvpEo
The Tale of Princess Kaguya is yet another masterpiece from Studio Ghibli, and boy are there many. This one has the distinction, however, of being conceived and written by Isao Takahata, Mayao Hiyazaki's partner in crime. This was the only film Takahata got to make with Studio Ghibli, and the work spanned decades due to his-- creative -- management style. But in the end, the film was gorgeous, and delved into what it means to be human, and all of the emotions and expectations that go along with it. Sarah will explore the history of the original fairy tale: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, as well as the development of the film. Also, since a Japanese nursery rhyme forms the emotional thesis of the film, our game time tests Sarah's knowledge of our common nursery rhymes. DO YOU KNOW YOURS?
Historical & Production Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_the_Princess_Kaguya_(film)
https://myhuangopinion.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/princess-kaguya-isao-takahata/
Psychology Links:
https://medium.com/@tomhenell/the-difference-between-passion-skill-and-talent-229cacab8a3
https://thekittycats.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/the-tale-of-princess-kaguya-nursery-rhyme/
What do you get when you cross a middle-grade chapter book, an all-star cast, and an adorable mouse? 2008's The Tale of Despereaux, of course! In this rat and mouse infested "tail," we meet two human girls: Princess Pea and Miggery Sow. Their portrayals are rife with stereotypes, and contrast sharply with the well-developed rodents who serve as our protagonists. Sarah will go into the history and production of the film, and Jessica will explore the implications of implicit bias, and how assumption, especially when subconscious, affects lives. And don't forget, GAME TIME! WHAT FOOD WOULD YOUR KINGDOM HONOR, AND WHAT WOULD YOUR MAGICAL FOOD ASSISTANT LOOK LIKE?
Some SFX provided by Zapsplat.com
Historical & Production Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_Despereaux
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/movies/27movi.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1
https://www.awn.com/news/mike-johnson-helm-tale-despereaux
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420238/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm
Psychology Links:
