"The Christine Jorgensen Story"

[Betaman8]

Has anyone seen this 1970 film starring John Hansen?

[Betaman8]

forgot to post my review on it:

Yesterday, I recieved a copy of this movie in the mail (thanks to Mr. Dewey Webb). I was told that it would be the funniest movie I've seen all summer, due to its campiness. I expected to see a very unusual film with Ed Wood dialouge and acting.

But, I was wrong. I saw none of that.

True, a few lines of dialouge seem kinda phony (George's sister screaming "Oh, Boy! Are you gonna have a shiner!" following George getting knocked out for protecting her) but I overlooked this fast. Sure, they use very uncomfortable sexual symbolism (did they really have to have george dropping an oval shaped ball during a dream he has during his sex change operation??) but this is used only breifly in VERY few scenes. And I was able to see through this very much, and I saw a very sensitive, and understanding portrait of the first publisized transsexual.

The Story:

The movie opens on Christmas day in 1933-George fumbles with an Erector set while his sister and her friend plays with dolls. George asks to join in, but is rejected. When the family leaves, he starts playing with his sister's doll, and his mother comes in and lectures him about how he has his own toys to play with. Later, a bunch of kids tease George for not being able to play football (they call him "Georgette"). When he comes home with a black eye that he got for standing up for his sister, his dad is extremly proud of him ("I wanted a son, and I got one!" he proudly says).

Cut to several years later with George as an adult. He is now a very effeminate and enthusiastic advertising photographer. At his sister's wedding, he is jealous that he can't be a woman, too (i particularly like the cut from the cross on the church to george on his bed in crucifix position).

When shooting on a location, a homophobic model accuses George of being gay ("don't use the ladies room!" she tells him as he walks away in embarassment). That same night, after assuming that george is gay, his homosexual boss tries to rape him. George runs away to jump in the ocean for suicide, but a sympathetic model stops him.

George visits a scientist researching in glandular disorders, and he tells george that his glands are secreting three times more female hormones that normal for a man. He tells him that a doctor in Copenhagen might have a solution to the problem. So, George jumps a boat to denmark, where he stays with his kind aunt thora. She is very understanding to his problem (as she is the only one who knows why George came to visit). After having george sign a release form and explaining the surgery procedure, the doctor gives the OK for surgery. During the operation, George has a dream where he is running to commit suicide, as he once did, but actually succeds. "I knew it only meant one thing", Christine narrates, "George Jorgensen was gone forever. I was someone else now". Aunt Thora comes to visit christine in the hospital, and chris asks if she can take the name of her long deceased daughter, and auntie is delighted. Following this, Christine begins hormone therapy that takes nearly a year and a half, but after that, she is ready to begin her new life.

Meanwhile, back in America, her father is devastated by what has happened to his new daughter. A preist even comes over to help him, but he only asks him "Can you change my son back to what he was?", and the minister replies "To be the man you want him to be? or the woman he has to be?".

In Denmark, however, reporters are disturbing christine's new life, but then one reporter, Tom Crawford is allowed in after saying hes a friend of the doctor that helped george back in america. He and his magazine want "her side of the story". From here follows scenes where Chris tells the major events of her life, including an embarassing scene in an army shower, and a humiliating visit to a prostitute. It becomes obvious that chris and the reporter are getting closer and closer in every passing scene. I think that this story line was unnescessary, and a desperate attempt at putting romance in this movie, but these scenes work, believe it or not. One night, the reporter comes to chris's house unexpectantly, and she tries to deny her feelings due to the fact that she is a transsexual, but the two end up kissing in a very beautifully photographed scene. Christine and Tom return to America a few months later, and the airport is flooded with a group of reporters asking questions like "Is it true you're gonna re-enilist in the WACs?". They all laugh their heads off (personally, I don't see whats so funny about the situation). But, Christine does see something she doesnt expect-her whole family, waiting for her. Tom narrates this final scene and says "it took thirteen years for the laughter to stop" when the first sex change was performed in america. This was a good note to end this film on.


I admit, I cried several times during this movie. I know most people wouldnt, but i did. This is an excellent piece of filmmaking history, and I don't understand why everyone hates it so much.


any one have any thoughts?

[Bud 'n Lou]

Never saw it. I fact, I've never even heard of it. But sounds interesting.

[Betaman8]

its very good. I especially liked the scene toward the end where tom confronts Chris. The whole portion of the movie where chris is on the screen, she is obviously trying to hide from the world, due to the press making so many jokes about what she did. Tom tells Chris in a very soothing voice as he tries to stop her from crying: "Chris....Stop Being Afraid!". The two look at each other for a minute, and finally, they make out on the sofa (beautiful photography shot through the fireplace!)

[Betaman8]

i should also add that the music alone made me cry-very greatly written and used.

[Calhoun07]

Thanks for telling us about this movie! I just might check this one out!

[Betaman8]

this movie isnt on video- sorry. its only been shown in theatres and on TNT. sorry. It took me a couple years to track mine down.