In the early days of cinema, mature women were often relegated to stereotypical roles, such as the "mother" or "grandmother" figure, often depicted as subservient, nurturing, and lacking in sensuality. These portrayals reinforced societal expectations of women as caregivers and homemakers. Actresses like , who began her career in the 1940s, often found themselves typecast in maternal roles, with limited opportunities for growth or exploration of complex characters.