Homoeroticism
I read this movie has homoerotic undertones. What's homoerotic about it?
shareThe lesbian innuendo, not as blatantly obvious as in the remake, but still there.
share[deleted]
It was pretty daring in 1963 to drop all those hints.
The novel (1959) was the source of that; in fact, although subtle, it may have gone beyond the movie. A few plot points didn't make it into the film.
In the book Eleanor seems to respond more to Theodora. It could be an interest in friendship or it may be something more. At one point Eleanor asks to move into Theo's apartment after Hill House, even though she is aware of the roommate (gender unspecified). Eleanor's feelings are hurt when she is rebuffed - the other woman's interest in her is waning after only a few days have gone by.
Eleanor also tries a romantic overture to Luke, which unravels after a few minutes of conversation. (In the novel the professor, who is the focus of her interest in the movie, is nearing retirement age.)
There also seems to be some kind of connection or flirtation between Theo and Luke. They certainly get along much better than they do in the film.
Theo can be pretty unpleasant for no real reason in the film.
I read the novel long ago, but can remember being surprised at how colourless Dr Montague (Markway in the film) is in it compared to the charismatic and relatively youthful Richard Johnson in the movie.