"I was like a kept woman during my twenty-one years at MGM"
- Walter Pidgeon
About this Quote
In the quote, "I was like a kept woman during my twenty-one years at MGM," Walter Pidgeon compares his expert experience at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to that of a "kept lady." The term "kept lady" traditionally refers to a lady who is financially supported by a fan or benefactor and, as a result, might lead a life of convenience without the requirement for work or self-reliance. This example provides a multi-layered interpretation of Pidgeon's belief regarding his tenure at the studio.
Firstly, Pidgeon's use of the term recommends a sense of dependence or lack of autonomy. Just like a kept lady may feel reliant on her benefactor, Pidgeon possibly felt that he was dependent on MGM for his profession and sustained success. This reflects a possible realization that as much as the studio provided for him, it also managed the dynamics of his professional life, leaving him with restricted flexibility to check out opportunities somewhere else.
Second of all, this statement can suggest a particular level of opportunity and comfort that he experienced during his time with MGM. The high-end and stability taken pleasure in by a "kept lady" parallel the security he may have experienced as a contracted star within an effective studio system, which offered him steady work, resources, and an attractive lifestyle. This denotes the golden cage scenario, where despite the convenience and security, there might have been a suppressing of creative flexibility.
Finally, the example implies a complicated relationship with the studio, combining both thankfulness and criticism. While Pidgeon recognizes the advantages and effective profession trajectory MGM provided him, there is an underlying criticism of the absence of company and the prospective suppressing nature of such a dependent relationship. The declaration encapsulates the duality of the Hollywood studio system experienced by numerous stars of the period, where security and success came at the cost of autonomy and creative liberty.
