Here are my general random thoughts that may or may not be related to the questions:
The clip does show a brighter side, as someone (probably many) mentioned before, the woman has a choice and the freedom to choose what her future could be, whereas maybe at that time it wasn't quite the case. In addition, we as viewers-in the time of release-are viewing a more affluent audience, yet we are the audience also, so maybe by association that is the form of escape in that we then become the affluent audience since we are able to view the production, associating/aligning ourselves with the more affluent.
Also in relation to the 'brighter' side, could the choice of dress for the scene and the character also be helping the audience create the feeling of nostalgia and yesteryear, of how things used to be?
In reference to the pre-code/post code era, people were mentioning the costuming on stage and how it would be different, which makes me wonder, if the two men could be representative of the pre-code/post code era themselves - Ziegfeld the more seductive one (pre-code) and the other being (post code)- though this is based on a true story i thought- in thinking about this, what does it mean/say about her as an actress or a woman in the biz that she chooses Ziegfeld aka pre-code vs post code?
Further in pre-code, the men be more suggestive than they are in post code, so what does it mean/how is it okay that the woman can be more suggestive in post code than the men? Could the use of the mirror also be a tool to create the suggestion of a reflection of yourself (furthering the association of affluence, i stated above) or the idea of voyeurism especially in the timing of her usage of it-her singing such a suggestive song might make the audience think her scandalous and having the mirror to reflect back to the audience the realization that they are part of the 'scandal' too because they are the viewers?
Randoms:
Looking into the meaning/symbolism behind the use of the orchid, it said that if was suggestive of fertility and sexuality and seen (obviously) as exotic -which she herself might have been seen as with her accent, etc and the flower being representative of Ziegfeld's feeling for her. In addition - assuming the flowers are white that was to represent innocence and purity as well as elegance and reverence.
Does the designation of Jr on the bouquet used to show a signal of age of the Ziegfeld, hoping it would make him more appealing to her? or does it backfire when she pokes fun noting 'what is he a child?' maybe defeating the purpose leading to an idea that maybe she is looking for someone older or more 'established'?
Also what does it say that the maid is able to read and referencing that maybe the actress can not or maybe doesn't want to like a luxury that she wants to hear it be said to her? Or is it that the actress is beautiful-getting by on her looks and doesn't have to be smart to 'make it', where as the maid needs the education to get anywhere to make up for what she might be lacking in looks?
