fABLEd 5: An Affair to Remember

About the Episode

In this fABLEd addition of lABLEd, hosts Alice and Lucy delve into the ableism present in the classic romantic film “An Affair to Remember.” While the movie is known for its sweeping romance and iconic scenes, it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and attitudes towards disability.

Terry McKay, (Deborah Kerr) becomes disabled after a tragic accident. They discuss how the film uses her disability as a plot device rather than fully exploring the experiences and emotions of living with a disability. The hosts also examine the ableist attitudes displayed by Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant), towards Terry’s disability and how they perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

We also explore, how ableism was even more prevalent and accepted in Hollywood during the time period in which the film was made, and how it still has lingering effects on the film industry and society, today.