Maureen O’Hara spoke out about the hidden sexual harassment that took place in Hollywood back in 1945 after suffering unwelcome advances herself.
O’Hara bravely stood up to the men that tried to belittle her and her career after she refused to have sex with them.
An old newspaper report from the Mirror in 1945 reveals the Quiet Man star spoke out about the environment of sexual harassment that was prominent in the movie business.
The report read:
Star’s Love Strike
Irish film star Maureen O’Hara to-day charged Hollywood producers and directors with calling her “A cold potato without sex appeal” because she refuses to let them make love to her, says the Mirror New York correspondent.
“I am so upset with it that I am ready to quit Hollywood,” Maureen says.
“It’s got so bad I hate to come to work in the morning.
“I’m a helpless victim of a Hollywood whispering campaign. Because I don’t let the producer and director kiss me every morning or let them paw me they have spread the word around town that I am not a woman – that I am a cold piece of marble statuary. I guess Hollywood won’t consider me as anything except a cold hunk of marble until I divorce my husband, give my baby away and get my name and photograph in all the newspapers. If that’s Hollywood’s idea of being a woman I’m ready to quit now.”
This was reported in 1945. What a woman 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/6cTFGgadNf
— James Rhodes (@JRhodesPianist) November 4, 2017
Many people have taken to social media to praise O’Hara for risking her career and reputation by speaking out about the sexist and abusive culture in Hollywood.
The recent cases of alleged sexual abuse by high profile Hollywood figures Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey has brought the issue back into the media focus.