''A Bunny's Tale'' is a 1985 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

comedy-drama based on American feminist icon and journalist

Gloria Steinem Gloria Marie Steinem (; born March 25, 1934) is an American journalist and social-political activist who emerged as a nationally recognized leader of second-wave feminism in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Steinem was a c ...

's experiences working as a

Playboy Bunny A Playboy Bunny is a waitress who works at a Playboy Club and selected through standardized training. Their costumes were made up of lingerie, inspired by the tuxedo-wearing Playboy rabbit mascot. This costume consisted of a strapless corset te ...

in 1963, as described by her 1963 article "A Bunny's Tale" (published in ''Show'' magazine in two parts).Part I
an
Part II
It stars Kirstie Alley as Steinem.

Plot

Engaged by a magazine to write an investigative article on publisher Hugh Hefner's nightclub chain, Ms. Steinem poses as a young girl named "Marie" and enters the Bunny training program at the

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

Playboy Club The Playboy Club was initially a chain of nightclubs and resorts owned and operated by Playboy Enterprises. The first Playboy Club opened in Chicago in 1960. Each club generally featured a Living Room, a Playmate Bar, a Dining Room, and a Club ...

. Outfitted with phony ears, a fuzzy tail, and a revealing costume, Gloria learns the proper method of serving drinks, the "bunny dip", and how to fend off customers who ignore Hefner's "look but don't touch" policy. She also concludes that being a sex object, even a chaste one, is depressingly demeaning—an "awakening".

Cast

* Kirstie Alley as

* Cotter Smith as Ned Holcomb *

Deborah Van Valkenburgh Deborah Gaye Van Valkenburgh (born August 29, 1952) is an American actress best known for her screen debut as Mercy in the 1979 cult film '' The Warriors'', and her role as Jackie Rush for five seasons (1980–1985) on the television situation ...

as Pearl *

Joanna Kerns Joanna Kerns (born February 12, 1953) is an American actress and director best known for her role as Maggie Seaver on the family situation comedy ''Growing Pains'' from 1985 to 1992. Early life Kerns was born Joanna Crussie DeVarona in San Franc ...

as Andrea * Lisa Pelikan as Lee *

Delta Burke Delta Ramona Leah Burke (born July 30, 1956) is an American actress, producer, and author. From 1986 to 1991, she starred as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom ''Designing Women'', for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstan ...

as Margie *

Mary Woronov Mary Woronov (born December 8, 1943) is an American actress, published author and figurative painter. She is primarily known as a " cult star" because of her work with Andy Warhol and her roles in Roger Corman's cult films. Woronov has appeared ...

as Miss Renfro *

Diana Scarwid Diana Elizabeth Scarwid (born August 27, 1955) is a retired American actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Christina Crawford in '' Mommie Dearest'' (1981). She received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress ...

as Toby * Romy Windsor as Bobbi * Randi Brooks as Marybeth *

Dee Dee Rescher Dee Dee Rescher (born August 28, 1953) is an American actress known for her acting and voice-over roles in both film and television. Early life She is the daughter of Jewish cinematographer Gayne Rescher (Jay Gayne Rescher) and actress Ottilie ...

as Hazel *

Chick Vennera Francis Vincent Vennera (March 27, 1947 – July 7, 2021) was an American actor, known for his role as Joe Mondragon, in Robert Redford's ''The Milagro Beanfield War'', among other movies. He also often served as a voice double for Joe Pesci. ...

as Frankie * Stanley Kamel as Jerry * James T. Callahan as Phil * Katie Budge as Gwen * Madison Mason as Luther Baines *

Lela Rochon Lela Rochon Staples (born April 17, 1964) is an American actress, best known for her starring role as Robin Stokes in the 1995 romantic drama film ''Waiting to Exhale''. She also had notable roles in the films ''Harlem Nights'' (1989), ''Boomerang ...

as Charlotte * Chanelle Lee as Sherry * Charles Winters as Greg * Randy Hamilton as David * Richard Lefevre as Willie * Keith Mills as Doctor *

Teddy Wilson Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American jazz pianist. Described by critic Scott Yanow as "the definitive swing pianist", Wilson had a sophisticated, elegant style. His work was featured on the records of many ...

as Older Club Employee (as Theodore Wilson) * Patricia Ayame Thomson as Playboy Bunny (as Patricia Thomson)

References

External links

* * 1985 television films 1985 films 1980s English-language films 1985 comedy-drama films ABC network original films American comedy-drama television films Films scored by Paul Chihara Films directed by Karen Arthur 1980s American films {{1980s-comedy-drama-film-stub