Search - The Women on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1939 DVD Release: 07/02/2002 Format: DVD - Black and White - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 13 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 34 Genres: Comedy Drama, Sophisticated Comedy, Film a Clef, Ensemble Film See Also: The Women

Based on the Clare Booth Luce play of the same name, this MGM comedy is justly famous for its all-female cast and deft direction by George Cukor. The plot centers on a group of gossipy high-society women who spend their days at the beauty salon and haunting fashion shows. The sweet, happily wedded Mary Haines (Norma Shearer) finds her marriage in trouble when shopgirl Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford) gets her hooks into Mary's man. Naturally, this situation becomes the hot talk amongst Mary's catty friends, especially the scandalmonger Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell), who has little room to talk -- she finds herself on a train to Reno and headed for divorce right after Mary. But with a bit of guts and daring, Mary snatches her man right back from Crystal's clutches. Snappy, witty dialogue, much of it courtesy of veteran screenwriter Anita Loos, helps send this film's humor over the top. So do the characterizations -- Crawford is as venomous as they come, and this was Russell's first chance to show what she could do as a comedienne. And don't discount Shearer -- her portrayal of good-girl Mary is never overpowered by these two far-flashier roles. The only part of The Women that misses is the fashion-show sequence. It was shot in color -- an innovative idea in its day -- but now both the concept and clothes are dreary and archaic. Do keep an eye on the supporting players, though, especially Mary Boland as the Countess DeLage. The role was based on a cafe society dame of that era, the Countess DiFrasso, who had a wild affair with Gary Cooper; that romance is satirized here. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Norma Shearer - Mary Haines
Joan Crawford - Crystal Allen
Rosalind Russell - Sylvia Fowler
Mary Boland - Countess DeLage
Joan Fontaine - Peggy Day
Paulette Goddard - Miriam Aarons

George Cukor's classic The Women comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer that preserves he original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a pair of documentaries about old-time Hollywood, a pair of trailers, and alternate footage shot for the film. This is a good disc from Warner Bros., who deserve credit for such interesting extras for a film this old. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide