ABSTRACT
Prince (Armie Hammer). Cartoon or not, movies about teenage Cinderellas abound. Through complicated and bizarre plots, ordinary high school girls are transformed into princesses (Princess Diaries) and whisked from mundane existences by teenage princes who later become kings (Chapter 13). These movies do suggest contemporary themes related to sexuality, alternative lifestyles, and women’s roles outside the home. At the same time, however, they highlight traditional themes about the power of love to overcome all obstacles and propel women into marriages that fulfill their dreams. The finale of the hugely popular Sex and the City television series and movies found all female lead characters in happily ever after relationships or marriages. This chapter examines the myth and reality associated with such gendered media images.
