The Women (1939)

Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell

Directed by George Cukor

Available to stream on Prime Video

In May we are watching movies centered around "Husbands and Wives." Our first film - The Women - is a satirical and very entertaining look inside the world of glamorous society women of the 1930’s – their loves, hates, jealousies, and cattiness about each other – all centering around the men in their lives, none of whom appear on screen.

Florence Nash, Phyllis Povah, Rosalind Russell, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard, Mary Boland, Joan Fontaine

Why we love it: This portrayal of stereotypical female behavior – jealous women gossiping about each other, stealing each other’s husbands – is so brilliantly acted that it is a lot of fun to watch despite the stereotypes.  The scenes in the spa and exercise rooms are hilarious, as are the animals representing each actress in the opening credits. Everyone’s clothes are beautiful; everyone has money and lots of leisure time to shop and gossip. Never a dull moment with this all-star group. This is one to enjoy, not to be taken too seriously.

Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer

Fun Facts:

• Not one man appears in the film. The animals in the movie were all female and even the art in the background depicts solely women. It works without seeming too contrived because most of the action occurs in places that typically would be only women - the spa, the beauty parlor, the cloakroom of a nightclub, a ladies luncheon, etc.

Joan Fontaine and Rosalind Russell doing their exercises

• In the middle of the black and white movie, the story stops for a Technicolor fashion show of the latest creations by Adrian, the costume designer. Director George Cukor didn't like it because it interrupted the flow of the movie, but it's a nice intermission from all of the banter (and fun to see some of the latest 1930's fashions in color.)

• There was a famous rivalry between Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford, both of whom had been rising stars at the same time. Joan Crawford sometimes felt that Norma Shearer was given better roles because she was married to MGM's Head of Production Irving Thalberg. Audiences loved seeing two known off-screen rivals play rivals on-screen.

Rivals Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer

• The film is based on a play by Claire Booth Luce. The play was adapted by Jane Murfin and Anita Loos (best remembered for her comic novel "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"). Watch the original trailer for the film in the clip below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8WsqaN4izs

• Paulette Goddard and Rosalind Russell have a famous fight scene where no stunt doubles were used. Goddard received a permanent scar when Russell bit her, but they remained friends in real life.

Norma Shearer, Joan Fontaine, and Mary Boland look on as Rosalind Russell and Paulette Goddard get into a fight

For reviews from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.

Featured Cocktail:

Green Lady

This recipe comes from the friendly bartender at The Pig - Near Bath, a country house hotel which has a beautiful and extensive kitchen garden. The Pig is a group of “restaurants with rooms” situated throughout England. Based on the White Lady, the Green Lady has added color and flavor thanks to the basil.

2 oz (60 ml) gin

1½ oz (45 ml) Cointreau

1 Tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice

8 fresh basil leaves

egg white

Shake all ingredients except egg white with ice. Strain to eliminate the ice and crushed basil. Add the egg white and shake without ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Cheers to the Classics!