MovieChat Forums > The Outer Limits (1963) Discussion > The Bellero Sheild

The Bellero Sheild

posted 5 years ago by [email protected] (1732)
6 replies | jump to latest

No doubt that this is one of the grandest episodes of this series. Richly and superbly
written, directed and shot, it also contains three great performances by Martin Landau,
Sally Kellerman and Chita Rivera. The alien is also brilliantly conceived and performed (a
completely unrecognizable John Hoyt).

But I have a question for other fans of this offering. I feel very strongly that Chita Rivera's
role, the housekeeper, is a lesbian. Although her character is married (unhappily so), her
devotion to Kellerman's character is as though she's in love with her. She is simply TOO
devoted to her, and obviously is jealous, cold and sarcastic to both Landau's character,
and the character of Landau's father.

Anyone else get that vibe?

Btw, I just broke down and bought season two on Blu ray, and have thus far watched
"Soldier" and "Cold Hands, Warm Heart". On amazon, fans have gone berserk about the minor sound problem in "Soldier",
even going so far as to say it's "unwatchable." Baloney. It starts at about 20 minutes in,
and lasts for about five minutes. Yes, the MUSIC is garbled, along with a few of Lloyd
Nolan's lines, but it is in NO way "unwatchable."

So nice to be enjoying this great series in Blu Ray.

P.S: Because I'm not a "Trekkie", I rarely have to endure (or suffer) William shatner's
"acting." But by GOD is he awful in "Cold Hands, Warm Heart." Cheap gestures and
laughable expressions of "terror" all amount to pure Cheese Whiz. Thank God the great
Geraldine Brooks saves "Cold" with her stellar work.

[–] Owlwise (1535) 4 years ago

I agree with you about the lesbian vibe. The Outer Limits often dealt with human sexuality in a subtle, symbolic fashion, simply as part of the human psyche. It sailed over the heads of the kids watching, but the adults in the audience could recognize it ... not unlike the way classic films could delve into such things in a similarly subtle fashion & get around the strict Hays Code. And interestingly, that in turn gave it more intensity, a sense of something powerful & slightly taboo just beneath the surface. Far more effective in most cases than having it right up front & undisguised.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I never got the lesbian vibe at all. Just two woman stuck in bad marriages.

[–] Owlwise (1535) 4 years ago

That's as fair a reading of it as any.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 2 years ago

Yes, a good episode, but I never got a lesbian vibe between the two women. And yes, Shat's acting in "Cold Hands" was
lamentable. That combined with poor writing and direction made it a terrible episode.

🤨

[–] greenbudgie (2355) 2 years ago

Other screen housekeepers have been devoted to their mistress over the years. Very often they double as companions which creates such affection that the housekeeper shows.

[–] Garyandfilm (534) a year ago

To the aforementioned posters: try READING my take thoroughly before responding. The vibe is from the housekeeper, "Mrs.Dames", NOT "Judith", although I suspect Judith perceived her full "devotion" and took advantage of her.