The Opposite Sex

Sort of a remake of the 1939 classic, THE WOMEN. It's more of an update with music. No matter. It stands on its own.

June Allyson stars as Kay Hilliard, a happily married woman with a trove of female friends. There's her unmarried writer friend Amanda (Ann Sheridan) and catty Sylvia (Dolores Gray), and the always-pregnant Edith (Joan Blondell). When Sylvia gets wind that Kay's husband is having a fling with a showgirl Crystal (Joan Collins), she can't wait to stir things up.

When Kay goes to Reno for a divorce she meets the oft-married Countess (Agnes Moorehead) and cabaret star Gloria (Ann Miller). When it turns out that Gloria has stolen Sylvia's husband, all hell breaks loose among the women.

Eventually Kay starts to fight back when she learns that Crystal marries her husband and starts an affair with another man.

The stars are all in fine form and Allyson gets to sing a few numbers like "Young Man with a Horn" and "Now, Baby, Now." On the down side is a horrible stage show about bananas, a terrible bit by Dick Shawn, and the nightclub opening featuring Buck Winston (Jeff Richards).

This version has men in it. There's also Leslie Nielsen, Bill Goodwin, Jim Backus, Harry James, Sam Levene, and Jonathan Hole. Co-stars include Alice Pearce as Olga, Charlotte Greenwood as Lucy, Barbara Jo Allen as Dolly the gossip columnist, and Carolyn Jones and Barrie Chase as dancers.

High points are Allyson's musical numbers, the catfight between Miller and Gray, and Allyson's slap across Collins' face that sends her earrings flying.

Gray sings the title song over the opening credits.

This 1950's version of the 1930's "The Women" was updated quite a bit. The ideals of the 1950's show up, along with the new male characters (who were never seen in the original)and the fashion.

Actually, while "The Women" is dated, too, the dialog is sharper and the characters much more fun. Joan Crawford beats Joan Collins easily as the vamp, and Rosalind Russell eats up scenery. Of course, Leslie Nelson back in his hunky leading man days is plenty of fun. This version is a little more moralistic, with more hand wringing and melodramatic action. And the addition of the male characters really isn't that much of a plus. Sometimes the comic action is overboard.

All in all, not a bad movie, but if you really want to see action, catch "The Women" instead.

This film has been maligned for years, mainly for including men and music in this remake of the classic 1939 version. It's true that the men don't add much to this take on the story. The musical numbers range from good (Now, Baby Now) to not so good (Dick Shawn and Jim Backus in the title number and that campy banana number.) The cast is pretty good. Joan Collins (in her first bitchy role) is practicing for her role as Alexis on "Dynasty". Charlotte Greenwood (in her last role) manages to be even more butch than Marjorie Main was in the original. Agnes Moorehead (who I love) is fun as the countess, and Sandy Descher is far more likable as "Debbie" than Virgina Weidler was as "Little Mary". Dolores Gray nails it as Sylvia Fowler. She enhances any film she is in. The 1950s decor is appropriately garish (dig those crazy purple bass fiddles!) and the print shown on VUDU is a clean, widescreen treat. This may not be quite up to the original, but on it's own terms this is a by and large entertaining film.

No need to compare this stand-alone with the original. MGM's wardrobe department must have worked overtime. The ladies-- and there are many-- get to model all the high fashion of 1956, and some outfits are real doozies. But then this is a tell-all musical remake about sophisticated Manhattan show people from influential author Luce who certainly should know. You may need a scorecard, however, to keep up with the rotating relationships among the high class types.

I expect the film sets feminist teeth on edge now with its depiction of women as either maliciously catty (Gray & Collins) or catty as a defensive measure (Allyson, Blondell, & Sheridan). And that's when they're not chasing after men on whom it appears they're emotionally dependent. I imagine that if the movie were made today, key changes would be made.

That's not to say this Technicolor candy box isn't entertaining. It is at least campy fun, although the musical numbers are mostly forgettable. Instead, it's the characters that are irresistible, particularly Gray as the queen of acid gossip; Collins as the ruthless husband stealer; and Richards as the dude ranch stud. It's also a well-honed supporting cast, down to a blondined henchwoman Carolyn Jones. Unfortunately, it's also a rather dour June Allyson, a long way from her usual verve and sparkle.

But the high-point may well be the biggest no-holds-barred brawl between two women (Miller and Gray) that I've seen. Stand aside John Wayne and the rest of the macho brawlers because this one is worthy of the best smoke-filled bar room. I don't know if stunt doubles filled in, but somebody deserved a fat paycheck. Anyway, if you don't mind seeing women behaving badly 1950's style, this well-upholstered confection deserves a look-see.

This remake of The Women (1939) misses the boat for two main reasons - 1. it's too nice. Joan Crawford's Crystal Allen was far more acidic than Joan Collins' sweet little version 2. it casts loads of talented musical performers - and doesn't use them! Ann Miller, Joan Blondell, Ann Sheridan, Doleres Gray - all wasted. June Allyson is miscast as Kay Hilliard, a little long in the tooth for all this.

(Incidentally interesting to see Blondell and Allyson in the same film, considering their shared marital history off-screen as successive wives to Dick Powell).

Pros - the musical numbers aren't bad, if a bit on the camp side; it features a fashion parade throughout to die for; it's colourful.

Otherwise it rips off the original, adds songs and men, and messes the whole thing up. It's watchable, but Norma, Joan, Paulette, and Rosalind will remain the standard for this particular story.