Die Männerfeindin

There is quite a bit of chemistry here between Ray Milland's "Prof. Stevenson" - a British astronomy geek somewhat reluctantly doing the lecture tour rounds in the US of A; and the stiff-as-starch college dean "Susan" (Rosalind Russell). The former has something he wishes to return to the latter - and gagging for some sort of publicity for this flagging tour, his agent "Teddy" (Janis Carter) tries to suggest there is more to their causal acquaintanceship than just that! Try as they might - the more they deny, the more they become embroiled in a slightly amusing series of escapades that risk both their reputations, and certainly her job! There is no doubt as to what will happen, it's a simple and straightforward comedy romance that raises a smile now and again, but also makes you cringe a little - the scenarios are a bit blatant and obvious at times. Still, Russell is on decent form and director Edward Buzzell pretty much hits the ground running with this enjoyable, if somewhat standard, formula feature. You won't remember it afterwards, but anything with a bit of Edmund Gwenn in it has got to be worth 90 minutes.

A Woman of Distinction (1950) is a quirky romcom that is heavier on the comedy due to Rosalind Russell's willingness to throw herself out there for her audience. The "meet cute" between Russell and the still dashing and debonair Ray Milland is thwarted by their instant dislike and impatience with one another. She has an important job as the dean of a college. He is a lecturer on tour who happens to get mixed up with Russell and ultimately causes her job to be in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Edmund Gwenn, in a delightful role as Russell's father, plays matchmaker, thus making it harder to easily iron out the plot twists that intertwine the two main characters causing problems at every turn.

Russell rivals Luculle Ball in what she'll do for a laugh. It works and this is a cute movie that is pure escapist pleasure. It's not one of my very favorites, but I enjoy it enough to watch it whenever it comes on TCM.

Though one of my favorite Rosalind Russell comedies, A Woman of Distinction isn't one of the better known ones. Give me this adorable flick over His Girl Friday anytime! She plays her specialty: a dedicated career woman who has never had time for romance. As a college dean with an adopted daughter, she feels she has a complete family unit. Her doting father, Edmund Gwenn, doesn't share her view. With a perpetual twinkle in his eye, he constantly teases her about a woman's completion being found with a man.

Ray Milland (who is definitely not Ray Mi-bland in this movie) plays just someone just as dedicated and just as happily single. He's a professor visiting America on a lecture tour, and when a nosy newspaper woman, Janis Carter, writes an incriminating story connecting Ray with Roz, everyone thinks they're having an affair. Neither is happy about it, but how can they discourage the newspaper story when they're constantly seen together?

There are so many hilarious scenes in this movie, so if you are a Roz fan and haven't seen it yet, pop some corn and get ready for a very enjoyable matinee day. There are some screwball moments, like Ray making a fool of himself during a ladies bicycle ride, but they're balanced out with more serious plot points, like doubting the parentage of Roz's daughter. For a great mix of light and naughty fun, check out A Woman of Distinction.

The idea for 'A Woman of Distinction' was great, not novel territory but still interesting and an entertaining film could easily be made out of it. The cast is full of very talented actors, Rosalind Russell, Ray Milland and Edmund Gwenn were capable of giving very good and even great performances. Edward Buzzell was not a bad director, but few of his films really wowed me that much with most being in the average to decent categories with a few good ones (i.e. 'Fast Company').

'A Woman of Distinction' could have been a lot better considering its potential. It's certainly not awful, far from it, it's just not all that great either and definitely could have been more inspired and distinct. And the potential for it to be great was quite big. The cast come off very well and there is enough to enjoy, but the execution of 'A Woman of Distinction's' writing and such was to me (and some others it seems) patchy and the story wasn't that strong.

What redeems 'A Woman of Distinction' quite significantly is the cast. Have always gotten a lot of enjoyment out of Russell and she has a role that fits her like a glove and a sort of role she excelled in, her comic timing really sparkles and her delivery makes the material better than it actually is. She does icy in a way that doesn't come over as too cold. Milland struck me as a more dramatic actor but this shows that he did have comedic chops, he has just as much fun as Russell and is a natural presence. Gwenn is a sheer delight and truly twinkles in a part that really played to his strengths. Mary Jane Saunders is adorable but not too cute.

Furthermore, 'A Woman of Distinction' benefits from classy production values and the filming is opened up and expansive enough to avoid it from being stagy. The music has a nice whimsy and the film's pace tends to be lively enough. There are a fair share of very amusing moments, more down though to the cast's delivery, and some very charming ones too. Plus some witty scripting.

Buzzell's direction though has moments where it shines in how the cast interact with each other, but mostly it rarely rises above competent level, all correct but with not enough spark or distinction. The story is very thin and what there is is very familiar ground with little new. Making some of it feel stale.

Later on, it did feel over-stuffed and managed to be too wild at times and the tiredness of some of the material made it feel sluggish too. Will agree that the film tends to be too slapstick heavy, especially later on, and while some of it amuses others are over-silly. And also that too many turns in the plot and character decisions are handled too abruptly with not enough time to breathe, so sense is also not a strong suit in the film either.

Overall, not a bad film but didn't quite click with me sad to say. 6/10

Rosalind Russell plays Dr. Susan Middlecott, a brilliant professor and dean of a college for women. However, her father (Edmund Gwenn) is concerned that she's all work and needs a man in her life. So, when the newspaper comes up with the incorrect notion that she's having a relationship with a professor (Ray Milland), the father makes the most of it...encouraging and pulling strings to try to get them together.

While Milland, Gwenn and Russell are all wonderful actors, here they are burdened with a bad script. The essential idea isn't bad (though some feminists today will balk at the notion that a woman needs a man), it is executed poorly. There are two main problems. Towards the end, the film relies too much on slapsticky sorts of laughs...with Rosalind on the receiving end again and again. Additionally, the whole relationship between the professors goes from hostile to head over heels so abruptly and unexpectedly that it made no sense at all. It's a shame...the film should have been a lot better.