Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The Women, released in 1939, was the first film with an all-star/all-woman cast. It is a movie that has to be seen at least twice because of its unique presentation. Absolutely no male characters are seen onscreen in this film. This all-female idea extends even further with even the subjects of wall paintings as well as the animals used all being female. This alone makes the movie worth watching--and then watching a second time. This is not the only feature of the film that makes this comedy/drama worth viewing. The dialogue in this movie is brilliant with barbs flying fast and furious between the characters.

The Women is an ensemble film, centering around Mary Haines, played by Norma Shearer, and her group of "close friends". Her friends are all wealthy women of leisure who, for the most part, have too much time on their hands. Mary is also wealthy, adores her child, worships her husband and is very happy with the life she leads. She exists only to make her family happy. This makes her the envy of some of her friends.

On one of their many trips to the beauty salon, Mary's friends hear gossip from a manicurist that Mary's husband is having an affair. The gossipy Sylvia Fowler loses no time letting Mary find out--"accidentally". Sylvia is supposedly a friend of Mary's but not above a little cattiness at Mary's expense. Rosalind Russell portrays the sharp-tongued Sylvia to perfection, showing Russell's considerable comedic talents.

When Mary finally goes to the same manicurist and hears the gossip herself, she is devastated. She finds out that her husband has taken up with scheming perfume clerk Crystal Allen, played by Joan Crawford. Joan Crawford is wonderful in her role as the golddigger Crystal, who cares nothing for Mary's husband and makes it clear to all--other than Mr. Haines--that she is just after his money. When Mary's friends find out that she knows about the affair, they persuade her that the only thing for her to do is get a divorce and not even consider forgiving her husband.

Some of the dialogue in this film is remarkably suggestive for the period but managed to squeak by the censors, no doubt due to the nonstop banter between the characters. The dialogue is priceless and so fast-paced that almost anyone is sure to miss some of the quick puns and double entendres upon the first viewing.

Mary goes off to Reno to get her divorce, even though she still has mixed emotions. During the trip Mary meets a series of other hilarious women, all going to Reno for divorces. These characters are all played by some of the most popular actresses of the period, including Paulette Goddard, Mary Boland and a very young Joan Fontaine. Mary discovers that Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell), is also on the train to Reno, having found out that her husband no longer wishes to be married to her. True to her character, Mary does not throw this up to Sylvia but some of the other characters do--and with hilarious results. Some of the best scenes in the film come when Mary decides that her husband is worth fighting for and steps out of her "ladylike" persona to make war against Crystal. The end is predictable with Crystal getting what she deserves and Mary being reunited with her ex-husband, but all is still very enjoyable.

Although this film deals with serious subject matter, it is primarily a comedy. Directed by George Cukor, this film was based on a Clare Booth Luce book. There is a great deal said by omission in this film. It is implied that men, while being worthwhile to have as husbands, are somewhat childlike and not to blame when they succumb to the wiles of women like Crystal Allen, who uses her sexuality to get what she wants. The closing message, as spoken by Mary Haines in the last line of the film, might seem dated and even offensive to some, particularly those with feminist leanings. Still, this is a highly entertaining and very funny film.



Recommended: Yes