Re : Think about "Alien."
Yes, I'm a big fan of all the films in that series and Sigourney Weaver really made the Ripley role her own. But you've missed my point - because I didn't explain myself very well. The Alien films were scripted *from the get-go* to highlight the central female lead. 20,000 Leagues was written and then first filmed as an adventure yarn in an all-male world and worked just fine if you like that kind of thing. Adding a woman alters the chemistry of the set-up; it doesn't have to be as crude as you suggest but why meddle with the original classic story? Re my query: Aha! I see now. The Bechdel Test is for detecting gender bias. I thought you were just taking a pot shot at films that had all-male casts. Yes, bias is an issue. (Race bias is probably more prevalent, no?) As Hollywood producers decide what films get made on the basis of their expected profit, I assume they think movies that pass the Bechdel Test will have less mass appeal. Is it the audience that is prejudiced rather than the film makers?
