(1953)
Glen or Glenda - VHS, Beta, DVD, VCD, Laserdisc
a.k.a. Glenn or Glenda
a.k.a. I Changed My Sex - VHS
a.k.a. I Led 2 Lives - VHS
a.k.a. Male or Female
a.k.a. He or She
a.k.a. The Transvestite
a.k.a. Glen o Glenda
a.k.a. Glen ou Glenda
a.k.a. Louis ou Louise
a.k.a. Yo cambié mi sexo
GET THIS MOVIE ->
Directed by Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Written by Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Wood regulars
Henry Bederski
Conrad Brooks
Timothy Farrel
Dolores Fuller
Bela Lugosi
Lyle Talbot
Edward D. Wood, Jr. (as Daniel Davis)
Additional cast
Charles Crafts
'Tommy' Haynes
Evelyn Wood
Plot
A police captain (Talbot) consults a psychiatrist (Farrel) to try and understand what drove a transvestite to suicide. The psychiatrist uses two case studies to explain.
First, there is Glen (Wood). Glen is a transvestite with a problem. He's engaged to be married and has yet to tell his fiancé Barbara (Fuller) of his proclivities. Through a series of vignettes and explanations of the nature of transvestitism and under the watchful gaze of 'the all-wise' (Lugosi), Glen and Barbara come to understand his problem and decide to try to work through it.
Second is the story of Alan (Haynes), a transvestite who ultimately decides to undergo a sex change operation and become Ann.
Semi-remade in the Adult fim Glen and Glenda.
'Wood'-ness
"If you want to know me, see Glen or Glenda, that's me, that's my story, no question." - Edward D. Wood, Jr.
This one has all the normal traits of an Ed film: poor acting, silly dialogue, cheap sets. But since this one lacks any kind of a real plot (just a series of events that play out w/ interjections of psycho-babble) it's harder to enjoy than his Sci-Fi, Horror, or Western films. But it's a key title, nonetheless, giving us insight into the mind of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
An essential.
Best Line
"My mind's in a muddle. Like in a thick fog. I can't make sense to myself, sometimes." - Glen
File Under
Adult, Ed Acting, Transvestitism
VIDEO RELEASES
GLEN OR GLENDA
Though not the original title, this is the title Ed chose for the film. It is also the most common one. Glen or Glenda has had many video releases over the years, mostly since the early 80s.VHS
| This is a 1986 release of Glen or Glenda from Video Treasures. You may recognize them as they specialize in inexpensive video releases. Any collection of oddbal movies will have a few Video Treasures tapes in it. PROS: Should be cheap. CONS: Video Treasures' quality was usually lacking. |
| This is a release from Video Dimensions. |
| This is an alternate release from Video Dimensions. It is apparently a carboard sleeve, as compared to the original clamshell release. |
| This is a release from Timeless Video. |
| This is a release from Bizarre Video. |
| This is a release from an unknown manufacturer. |
| This is the Rhino video release. It is the most common copy of Glen or Glenda you will find. The opening has been altered: i.e. "25th Anniversary Special". Features the original trailer, which has been altered to reflect current copyright ownership: i.e. "Wade Williams - 25th Anniversary Special". WARNING: Comes in two versions with virtually identical boxes: Item #1479 is recorded in SP mode Item #2209 is recorded in EP mode PROS: Easy to find. Inexpensive. CONS: Slightly altered opening credits may put off purists. |
| This is the release from Admit One. |
| This is the release from Englewood Entertainment. |
| This is a UK PAL release of Glen or Glenda. |
| This is a German PAL release of Glen or Glenda. |
| This is an Australian PAL release of Glen or Glenda from Hollywood House Video. It contains bonus material on Bela Lugosi, including vintage interviews. |
| This is another Australian PAL release of Glen or Glenda, this time from Kiseki Cult. |
Beta
| This is a Beta release from Admit One. |
DVD
| This is the DVD from Image Entertainment. Apart from the trailer, it does not appear to have any extras. Notes: There are several odd breaks in the film that damage the flow, including some that eliminate significant dialogue. Image quality is fine, but the bad cuts can ruin the viewing experience. |
| Manufacturer: Cult Classic Video Format: Region 0 NTSC Comments: No-frills release. |
| This is a "Double Feature" DVD release from Catcom Entertainment. It features Glen or Glenda and Jail Bait in a Drive-In style presentation, including cartoons, The Monster Known as VD and classic TV commercials. |
| This is a "Double Feature" DVD release featuring My Son The Vampire and Glen or Glenda. |
| Manufacturer: Passport Video Format: Region 1 - NTSC Comments: This is a 2 disc DVD set that features six Ed films: Glen or Glenda, Jail Bait, Bride of the Monster, The Violent Years, Night of the Ghouls and Plan 9 From Outer Space. It also features the same "Ed Wood Story" found on the previous Passport DVD of Plan 9.  
|
| Manufacturer: unknown Format: NTSC Comments: DVD set featuring Glen or Glenda, Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 From Outer Space, among others. |
| This appears to be a UK release. |
| This is an Australian DVD release from Payless. |
| This is another Australian release. It is Region 0 PAL. |
| Manufacturer: unknown Format: Region 3 PAL Comments: Australian release. |
| Manufacturer: unknown Format: Region 3 PAL Comments: Australian box set featuring Glen, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Night of the Ghouls and Crossroad Avenger. |
| This is a release from the Netherlands that includes Bride of the Monster, Plan 9 from Outer Space and Glen or Glenda. |
| Manufacturer: unknown Format: Region 3 PAL Comments: Australian 2-pack includes the non-Ed films Reefer Madness and House on Haunted Hill. |
VCD
| This is a VCD release from Bijou Video. It may be unauthorized. |
Laserdisc
| This is a Lasedisc release from Image Entertainment. In addition to Glen or Glenda, it contains Bride of the Monster. |
|
Manufacturer: Pioneer Video Format: J-NTSC Comments: A Japanese three disc collection, the set contains Glen or Glenda, as well as Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 From Outer Space. The films are in English with Japanese subtitles. Although the package indicates the discs are in CAV and CLV format, it is unclear which movies are in which format. There is also apparently a booklet of some kind in the package. |
GLENN OR GLENDA
This is a variant of the most common title.| The title screen from this variant. |
I CHANGED MY SEX
This is the original title of the film, although it's unclear what was the first title used in distribution.There have been a few releases from specialty companies under this title.
| The most significant release under the title I Changed My Sex is this one from Something Weird Video. It features trailers utilizing various titles as well as deleted sequences that may not be in other versions. It is apparently now out of print. |
I LED 2 LIVES
This is a variant title used for the original distribution.| From Video Dimensions. |
MALE OR FEMALE
This movie never had a mass market release under this title.| Here is a theatrical poster for Glen or Glenda under the title Male or Female. |
HE OR SHE
This movie never had a mass market release under this title.| N/A |
THE TRANSVESTITE
This movie never had a mass market release under this title.| N/A |
OTHER ALTERNATE TITLES
The following are additional International titles that I have currently found no releases for. If you have any releases under any of these titles, please contact me.|
Glen o Glenda (Venezuela) "Glen or Glenda" Glen ou Glenda (Portugal) "Glen or Glenda" Louis ou Louise (Belgium & France) "Louis or Louise" Yo cambié mi sexo (Argentina & Spain) "I Changed My Sex" |
All images © their respective owners.
Images are used for review purposes only.
All other content, including (but not limited to): text, html & original graphics are © Philip R. Frey
