Dottie Gets Spanked (1993 TV Short) User Reviews (10)

Sexual Fantasies from the Eyes of a Presumably Confused Child

[elicopperman · 6/10 · 5 May 2019]

Todd Haynes is well known for being one of the biggest contributors for the New Queer Cinema movement in the early 1990s. One of the earlier films he made which explores concepts within that realm is Dottie Gets Spanked, which chronicles a little boy named Steven Gale living in 1960s America who is obsessed with The Dottie Show. However, the queering influence from the show and Steven's fascination with spanking begins to concern his father. While I can definitely admire the film's intent, it might not be for everybody.

One notable factor to mention is that the film is semi-autobiographical. Steven is pretty much Haynes' alter ego as a child, and the Gale family themselves are a satirical take on the typical suburban family that do more damage to the child instead of protecting them. Steven doesn't understand what his father and others see so negatively about him, hence the constant paranoia that plays a key role in his state of being. He makes a drawing of his hero Dottie getting spanked which fascinates him, yet it only leads to the kid feeling more uninformed about what these interests could lead to him later down the road. Even when someone feels they have to let go of a fantasy, it will never leave them that easily.

With all that said, when I mentioned how this is not for everybody, I meant that in how surreal it is. This does make sense regarding the psychological aspects coming from our main protagonist, but there are times when the surrealism can feel perplexing and the transitions from Steven's mind to the real world aren't always made clear. Also, I just wish the whole thing could've been longer, as there wasn't enough room to really delve entirely into the minds of the parents. Then again, what we see in the film tells us more than any dialogue ever could. Nevertheless, as bizarre as it may be, Dottie Gets Spanked is a solid exploration of childhood rebel against their powerlessness from parents. Queer or not, I think anyone can take home that ideology of hiding your inner differences from your own authority.

A film to enjoy again and again

[storage101 · 10/10 · 10 May 2005]

This is a wonderful movie which takes the viewer back to the shame of those first childhood sexual fantasies that cannot be shared with anyone.

Steven Gale,like many young boys, is fascinated by the complex world of the women around him. He watches them,listens to them, and draws them endlessly. The film has him fixated on a Lucille-Ball-like TV star, but the undertones are deeply psychological as they track this young boy's attempt to understand why some things are branded "normal" and some things are quite definitely NOT.

The writing and casting are superb. Watch this film several times to appreciate the meticulous sets and costuming!

What adults can't rememeber...

[toyfreaks · 6 May 2003]

This movie was a very gentle and tasteful illustration of a child's early interest in --and awareness of-- sexuality. Unspoiled by the mores and norms of his culture, little Steven Gale observes with innocent but worried curiosity some of the kinkier details of adult life in mid 20th century America. At a time when sexuality was publicly repressed, he glimpses it even in Dotty, his TV comedienne heroine and role model.

This material could have been handled very poorly in the hands of a less sensitive or apt director, but Todd Haynes' interpreted his own script with class and humor. Watch IFC's or Bravo's listings for showings of this little gem.

One of the best short films Ñever!

[bri-80 · 10/10 · 17 October 2000]

DOTTIE GETS SPANKED accomplishes in 30 minutes what most movies can't do in 2 hrs. It's a transforming experience. Somehow, without pretension, clutter or unnecessary detail, the filmmakers manage to convey the soon-to-be queer identity of a child in all its complexity.

Yet the film always feels straightforward, simple, and emotional. Very few films make you cry without making you feel like a dupe, but DOTTIE GETS SPANKED can, and doesn't insult your intelligence either. This is a major film. Bravo!

A lovely short about early sexual discovery and difference.

[jen-lynx · 9/10 · 29 November 2015]

Every once in a while, I stumble across a video that just calls out to me, whether it be a funny title, a bizarre description, or a lesser known work of a much admired director. Todd Haynes' "Dottie Gets Spanked" is my latest acquisition of this type and was absolutely delightful.

This 30 minute short film was commissioned by the Independent Television Service, with funds from PBS, as one of a series of shows exploring the difference between "tv families" and "real families." In what Haynes call his most autobiographical piece to date, "Dottie Gets Spanked" tells the story of Stevie, a seven year old boy obsessed with a television star, Dottie Frank, star of the 1950s show, "The Dottie Show", an obvious allusion to Lucille Ball and "Here's Lucy". Stevie loves everything about Dottie, never misses a show, draws pictures of her, creates stories around her, even dreams of her. As the title suggests, he witnesses Dottie getting spanked, which opens up a whole new world of emotions for a young and impressionable boy.

Todd Haynes is one of the most recognized directors of the New Queer Cinema movement of the early 1990s. This little gem of a show is a brilliant representation of how one boy's gender identity blossoms, together with his awareness (and shame) of his differences from his peers. If you are over 40, loved the old sitcoms, even a little atypical, then there is a decent chance you will love this too.

At the core is the theme of alienation that any oddball can relate to.

[MyMovieTVRomance · 10/10 · 19 October 2021]

Being a big fan of the Todd Haynes directed mid-20th century period piece "Carol" (2015) and a big lover of the "Mildred Peirce" mini-series he also directed, I knew I had to see this, and it did not disappoint!

Other than the voices of some of the kids featured, which sounded far too contemporary for the time this is set in, the mood, the tone, and everything felt authentic. Therefore, as a lover of movies and TV from the 1950s to mid-1960s, I couldn't help but love this too- as it really put me into the mindset of the obsessed child fan. In other words, this was me in male form. I was that kid, except a girl version, and some decades younger, but this was me. I was obsessed with old b&w sitcoms and "I Love Lucy" was my favorite! I would draw her picture, read about her, watch her all the time, and talk about her any chance I could! She was my ideal, and I wanted to live in her simple, wholesome sitcom world! But, by the time I was watching her, Lucille Ball had already passed on, and I could have never met her like this boy met Dottie, but I still saw myself the whole time- and I was so happy for him!

Dottie was clearly based on my beloved Lucy (with a little Baby Snooks thrown in), so when Steven met her at the show rehearsal, it was like if I were to have met Lucille Ball! I just love that this happened for the character of Steven. My one complaint though, is that Dottie was a little too professional or a tad cold, if you will, during the meeting, when I would have hugged the child or called him sweetie or something, after he gave such a heartfelt gift to her. But, he didn't seem to take it badly, which I'm glad of, as I really identified with the kid, and would have hated to see him disillusioned by his hero.

Although this certainly carries a message of the pressures of gender roles and expectations surrounding those heaped onto boys and girls, there are no bad folks here, just folks who are products of their time, folks trying to fit in, and folks trying to get by. Steven's dad was hard on him, but he meant well. I understood his concern, because as a traditional parent from a more traditional time, naturally, a dad would want his son to fit in. I understood and sympathized with the dad, while also sympathizing with Steven. I didn't fit in either growing up, and my family also expressed concern over how often I talked about Lucy and how much I focused on her, I was told that it wasn't normal to be so one-track-minded and into a show, and that I should be more into the real-world, etc. Add to that the fact that I'm a product of a different time, and you've got a real generation-gap going on between me and my peers too.

At the core of this short film is not the issue of gender or gender-roles (that's just the vehicle that carries the film along), at the core is actually the theme of alienation that any oddball can relate to. Steven is alone, though he's happy being in his own little Dottie-loving bubble, until the outside world makes it an issue. He has no friends, but he has Dottie. That was me with Lucy. Other kids had each-other, I had my TV friends. Other kids just couldn't relate (and frankly, I couldn't relate to them either- most were too rude and modern for me), and it's the same to this day. I've learned that most people are cliquish pack animals, and that by their very nature, cliques thrive on exclusion.

This film was an enjoyable, touching portrait of childhood innocence, wonder, and the reality of alienation. Todd Haynes did a great job, and his use of music again came through here, to make this a short film that flowed so well, that by the end, I wished so much that it were longer!

My favorite part: the sweet mom, and how lovingly she related to her son, while also being a supportive wife to her concerned husband. People like her are real too, and they are the glue that holds families together! Lovely and touching.

Spank me to the end of love

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 25 November 2015]

"Dottie Gets Spanked" is a half-hour short film written and directed by Todd Haynes, who is currently in the news for his work on the new lesbian drama movie "Carol". This one here is among his earlier works, but not very early, he already has been in film for a while in the early 1990s. I must say this was a pretty awkward watch, really weird little movie. It certainly is very experimental, but I could not take it serious as a drama or comedy film. It looks a lot older than early 90s for sure. Most of the cast members are still working in film today, but I am not familiar with anybody except Adam Arkin. As a whole, this was very strange and that is maybe also the reason why one would watch it. It's a pretty different film, yet not a good one. Thumbs down.

For those of us who thought we were "That Girl!"

[sissypower · 20 September 1999]

A resonant stroke of illumination brought to us in living color by none other, none more informed, than the gifted Todd Haynes. This Ma Vie en Rouge predates the French ROSE by five years and comes in at less than a third of the running time.

Haynes' is a lingering soul kiss, darker, individualistic, willful and startlingly relevant. Viva Sissy Power!

Short, Short Short

[tedg · 3 June 2005]

I'm into movie watching for the so-called "long form." That's where you are transported to another world, something happens which may change your life and then (sometimes) you are registered back home.

Many, many elements of this enterprise are difficult, and few films do the trick. The "short form" is where some element of the larger goal is attempted. Usually it is the introduction to another world, and some people are satisfied with merely being transported (because most people don't wanted to be changed anyway).

Todd Haynes is something of a master at this. It is all he does, even in his full-length movies, which is a bit disappointing, but the upcoming Dylan project looks like he is trying to play with the big boys.

This is his best so far, in part because it is so carefully constructed. Entry into other worlds usually depends on folding abstractions. The fold in this case is Steve's reality folded into a TeeVee show (which also contains his dreams) which is folded into the reality behind the show. All these collapse into a multidimensional spanking fantasy that gets put away to haunt him as an adult.

The characters and such are well done, but it is the folding that makes this thing work.

Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

What is this incoherent mess? It AIN'T Har!

[Danflave · 20 March 2001]

Perhaps I am missing something, but I just didn't get it. I mean, I myself am gay, yet I didn't see how this short film was some sort of triumph of homo cinema. I mean, this is one of those films that you don't understand at all, but you watch fascinated, and you know that in the end it will all come together and make sense. However, that didn't happen. After a half hour of bizarre, freaky dream sequences and lots and lots of spanking, I was no more enlightened than I was at the beginning. I mean, what was Todd Haynes trying to say? That a little 6 year old boy obsessed with an old "Lucy"-esque sitcom has a spanking fetish? I'm sorry, I saw "Velvet Goldmine" also, and I didn't get that either. Maybe Todd Haynes and I are just not clicking. Also, where was Harriet Sansom Harris? The credits state she plays Steven's mother... Well, I am sorry, but that is NOT Har.