Watch The Lady and the Dale

The Lady and the Dale is a documentary series, produced by HBO in collaboration with Mark and Jay Duplass, that explores the fascinating story of a con artist named Elizabeth Carmichael who rose to infamy in the 1970s by promoting a three-wheeled car called The Dale. The show delves into the complex and mysterious world of Elizabeth Carmichael, who was both revered and reviled for her bold and visionary ideas about transportation, female entrepreneurship, and social justice.

The Lady and the Dale takes its viewers on a journey through Elizabeth Carmichael's astonishing life, from her humble beginnings as a single mother struggling to make ends meet to her meteoric rise as the charismatic and enigmatic founder of the Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation. Through interviews with Carmichael's family members, associates, and detractors, as well as archival footage and reenactments, the show paints a vivid and nuanced portrait of a woman who defied expectations and conventions at every turn.

One of the key themes of The Lady and the Dale is the tension between Carmichael's visionary aspirations and her fraudulent tactics. As the show reveals, The Dale was never a fully functional or sustainable vehicle, and Carmichael's promises to investors and customers often fell short. However, her ability to captivate audiences with her stirring speeches and unconventional persona won her a loyal following and elevated her to the status of a folk hero. The show thus explores the ways in which Carmichael's charisma and ambition intersected with her questionable ethics and methods, and raises provocative questions about the relationship between invention and deception.

Another important dimension of The Lady and the Dale is its treatment of gender and sexuality. As a trans woman, Carmichael faced significant obstacles and prejudices in her pursuit of success in a male-dominated industry. The show highlights the ways in which she used her gender identity as a source of empowerment and resistance, while also acknowledging the contradictions and complexities of her identity. Through interviews with LGBTQ activists and scholars, the show situates Carmichael's story within a broader context of trans history and politics.

In addition to its exploration of Carmichael's life and legacy, The Lady and the Dale also sheds light on the cultural and political landscape of the 1970s. The show documents the social upheavals of the era, including the Watergate scandal, the feminist movement, and the rise of conservatism, and places Carmichael's story within these larger historical forces. By doing so, the show invites viewers to reflect on the ways in which our present moment is shaped by the cultural and political legacies of the past.

Throughout The Lady and the Dale, viewers are treated to a rich array of characters and voices, from Carmichael's loyal family members to her skeptical critics. The show's creators have a keen eye for the human drama and complexity of their subject matter, and manage to create a narrative that is both informative and emotionally engaging. As a result, The Lady and the Dale is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of a fascinating and enigmatic figure, and a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of gender, technology, and politics.

The Lady and the Dale is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between February 1, 2021 and on HBO