"The year's mightiest cast in the hit play that tells on the women!"
Ever since seeing the sadly underrated 2008 rendition, I've wanted to see the original 1939 The Women (directed by George Cukor), starring the absolutely jawdropping Joan Crawford and amazing Norma Shearer in a playful celebration of women and their strengths in times of emotional hardship, all experienced from the top tiers of Manhattan society with killer wardrobes to boot. The film was based off the 1936 play written by Clare Boothe Luce, and tells the story of a high society wife and mother who discovers through the manicurists grapevine that her husband is having an affair with a perfume sales girl. Then come the awkward and hilarious moments as new mistress Crystal Allen (Crawford) begins to ascend the social ladder into Mrs. Steven Haines' territory, with one particularly memorable scene happening at an upscale fashion show, where both wife and mistress shop for the same robe and end up arguing it out in a changeroom for all of the Manhattan gossip queens to hear (well worth watching, click here). Without doubt though, despite the catfights and the drama, these women had a distinct voice, in Mrs Haines' case, to speak up for what she knew was going on and stand up for her best interests. These women had a style and a sophistication well beyond the times they lived. It's very clear that Claire Booth Luce was well ahead of it all.
Although the film isn't really displaying a regular point of view and is overdone in almost every regard, it's this reason that explains it's particular charm. Although all of the different sterotypes projected find very little room in today's modern woman, I think it's important to remember the era this was shot in, and enjoy it for what it was with meditation on how much the outlooks have advanced and become more educated with time.
Another reason for watching is the amazing costume creation, skilfully done by Adrian Greenberg (the famed MGM costume designer of the 1930s), and notably featured in ten minutes of his most outré creations in a fashion show in colour in the black and white movie, pictured above, which was something really quite extraordinary. Looking at these gowns now, the silhouettes and workings of the fabric still seem utterly modern and I find myself absolutely enamoured with them!
Definitely add on your To-Watch Film Lists, a really amazing classic with timeless Hollywood Glamour <3