EPISODE 8: Gender Benders, Part 2 - "Dressed to Kill" (1980)

This episode continues our series on "Gender Benders", where we explore how  horror films explored - mostly problematically - the challenges faced by  people with repressed sexual or gender identifications. Brian DePalma's answer to "Psycho", 1980's "Dressed To Kill" is presented by Rob today, and OH BOY is this thing just full of things that just don't fly anymore. Misogyny, queerphobia of all shades. Sonia points out how the universe of this film exists to punish women, and Joe describes in some detail that 1970s NYC was pretty much that. Rob, Joe and Sonia tell colorful stories about Times Square and the stark difference between the 70s and the giant tourist trap it's become now.  Rob posits it's the first American giallo, where Joe sticks to the old "He just copies Hitchcock" before his old brain drifts off into another episode of "Joe Sena, 'Forrest Gump' of Horror". Sonia and Rob wonder if there was such a thing as "doctor-patient privilege" in 70s psychiatry, Rob and Joe each try to prove who has the best Michael Caine impression. Next week we conclude our series on "Gender Benders" with: Episode 9 - Nov. 10 - "Sleepaway Camp" (1983) - presented by Sonia Harcourt LIKE/SUBSCRIBE/REPOST/WHATEVER