Wednesday, February 15, 2023

We Are Tootsie

By Paula Gaikowski

Paula channeling her inner Tootsie
(1999)

Back in 1982, there was a scarcity of information on transgender persons and crossdressing. So when I saw the Life magazine article about the upcoming release of the movie Tootsie, I was thrilled. 

Although Tootsie is not a movie about transgender persons or even crossdressing, it’s a movie about a man walking in the shoes of a woman both literally and metaphorically. The man, Michael Dorsey, is a narcissist and arrogant actor who no one will hire. He unintentionally sheds this toxic behavior and finds what life is like from a woman’s point of view and learns a lot about himself and the world we live in.

The role of Dorothy Michaels (Michael’s femme name) was also life-changing for Dustin Hoffman. Here he’s speaking about the first time he saw Dorothy in the mirror.

“It was at that moment I had an epiphany and I went home and started crying, talking to my wife. I said I have to make this picture and she said, ‘Why?’ And I said, ‘Because I think I am an interesting woman when I look at myself on screen. And I know that if I met myself at a party, I would never talk to that character because she doesn’t fulfill physically the demands that we’re brought up to think women have to have.”

Before Hoffman would even consider making the movie, he asked the studio to spend money on makeup and wardrobe to see if he could realistically look like a woman. He spent weeks in wardrobe working on a look and yes, I am jealous too! He wanted to look like an authentic woman in his words, “I wanted to walk down the streets of New York and not have anyone think ‘hey that’s a guy.’ 

In my opinion he was successful, the attention to detail was there, padded hips, breast forms, shaving and neutral makeup. Seeing all this, it spoke one thing to me as I sat there and read that Life magazine article, I could do this! I could make myself look like a woman and experience life as a woman. It would be years before I ventured out as Paula but make no mistake, Tootsie had a huge effect on me; for me too it was life changing. 

Dustin Hoffman sure looked fantastic as Dorothy. I understand he went out as Dorothy to restaurants, shops and businesses to see how people reacted. He seemed to have a zeal for this, much as we do. I wonder sometimes: civilian or non-civilian?



Source: Rue La La
Wearing Joseph Ribkoff

D'Arcy Drollinger
San Francisco professional femulator D'Arcy Drollinger

10 comments:

  1. Dorothy mostly wore turtlenecks, so there was a recognition by someone that the old adam's apple had to be hidden. I would not be surprised if the hip and ass padding came via Lee's Mardi Gras Boutique at that time.
    Angel Amore
    P.S. You look very good channeling your inner Tootsie, Paula.

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  2. Don't forget Dustin Hoffman got paid to that
    Lucy

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  3. I was 16 years old when “Tootsie”was released and I went to see it with my parents. I was probably the only person in the theatre who didn’t find it funny. For me, it touched my heart in a way no film had ever affected me before. I especially like the part where his roommate Jeff (Bill Murray) asks if he’s only doing this so he can wear these cute little outfits.
    I read that Life magazine article over and over as a kid. Dustin Hoffman mentioned that he went to his daughter’s school as Dorothy and everyone asked “Who is that woman with the bad skin?”

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    1. I was 22 years old and as I wrote yes it had a huge effect on me also, and yes the Bill Murray comment about wearing cute outfits hit home!

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  4. For those of you who are interested here is the link to the Tootsie Makeover scene which floored me the first time I saw it

    https://youtu.be/APUYN7ragBA

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  5. I am such a sucker for nostalgia. My formative years were in the 80's and I absolutely ADORE 80's fashion. I have adopted that as my style today. I don't care if it looks a little dated honestly. All my life I have had to wear stuff that fits in with society. I am not gonna do that now dressed femme. I am gonna be me. I am gonna be authentic.
    -Christina

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    1. This comment makes me very happy as I love seeing people break away from the herd and wearing what they like. My clothes span the 30s through 60s when I go out and I love every minute of it!

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    2. I worked in a customer service center in the 80's with about 150, 20-30 year old women, in dresses, suits, pantyhose,heels, big hair and make-up I still haven't recovered. Paula G

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  6. I went with my wife to see "Tootsie." It was an unsettling experience for her, sitting next to a cross dressing husband. "Mrs. Doubtfire" did not go over well also.

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  7. I think Tootsie was modelled on the "nondescript woman" you see in the mall every day
    The sort nobody gives a second glance
    Lucy

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