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Though it belies its stage origins this character study of a group of women who find a camaraderie in the local ladies steam bath that isn't available to them anywhere else keeps you involved thanks to Losey's firm directorial hand and superior performances by the cast.

The showpiece performance is from Patti Love as the combative Josie but both Vanessa Redgrave and Sarah Miles score sharply in more muted roles. This was the final film for Diana Dors before her far too early death and it provides her a lovely opportunity to exit on a fine grace note. Her fabled beauty while not a memory had by this point softened into a mature softness filled with character. As the motherly Violet she shows that the stunning good looks of her youth weren't all she had to offer.

Joan Davis isn't as well remembered today as she should be owing to her early death and the dominance in classic comedy shows of Lucille Ball.

Like the lovable redhead Joan was often up to wacky and ridiculous antics sometimes outlandish but often rooted in the everyday so that they could have happened to anybody, just not on the scale they usually did to Miss Davis.

This episode is a good example of that kind of situation. Joan and her loving, level-headed but often exasperated husband Brad, expertly played by Jim Backus, are giggling over an article in the paper about the latest hairdo fad-the Panda cut-and talking about his reunion which is in a couple of days. Oh and by the way they think we should both get our hair fixed up for that. You can probably see where this is going especially considering the episode's title but there is joy in the journey thanks to the facile shenanigans of expert farceurs Joan & JIm.

A fun show that may not be quite the eternal model for sitcoms that I Love Lucy is but very good on its own merits.

Silly fluff with a leading man who is hard to take at time but mixed in with all the inanity come surprising little flashes.

For instance the fictitious band in the movie is taking the train and suddenly there is Nat King Cole and his Trio as conductors singing a full version of "Straighten Up and Fly Right"! It's the best part of the picture without question but the rest is harmless enough and both Gloria Stuart and Dale Evans add a pleasant touch to the proceedings