An auto magnate invites three company executives to NYC to look them -and their wives- over to decide which one gets to be second-in-command...
This all-star ensemble film is a throwback to 30's fare like DINNER AT EIGHT & GRAND HOTEL and runs rings around its competition -the turgid EXECUTIVE SUITE (made the same year). It's a sleek, tres sophisticated time capsule of America's mores & morals in the Fab 50's and the stellar cast shines in tailor-made roles, especially Arlene Dahl as a scheming doll trying to sleep her husband's way to the top. She'd later steal the show in 1956's SLIGHTLY SCARLET. Boasting Cinemascope, snappy dialogue, stunning NYC locations and competent direction by Jean Negulesco, one can only imagine what Douglas Sirk could have done with this amusing opus. A "dramedy" is what it would probably be called today.
A 1954 review: "Some movies are wonderful because they look so expensive -that's the biggest charm of "Woman's World". Those gorgeous gowns distributed between Arlene Dahl and Lauren Bacall, those flashy automobiles of the future sparkling like jewels on display, those breathtaking, panoramic views of New York, the Wonder City. And seven movie stars generously sharing the Technicolor light. Clifton Webb is here with his urbane, supercilious manner, as president of Gifford Motors, an outrageously prosperous business empire. He's looking for a new general manager to replace the old one, now dead. He invites the three brightest men in his organization to New York. More important, he invites their wives. The ladies, in fact, will be the decisive factors in his choice. Fred MacMurray, his ulcer and his estranged mate, Lauren Bacall, arrive from Philadelphia. Out of Texas come Van Heflin and the powerfully seductive Arlene Dahl. And Cornel Wilde planes in from Kansas City with his very lovable but painfully unsophisticated spouse -June Allyson. There follows a tense, grueling struggle for position which starts at the swank Plaza Hotel and plays itself out on a Connecticut estate where Webb's sister (Margalo Gillmore) gives the candidates a final once-over. Much is revealed about husbands, wives and worldly ambition in this slick, entertaining film."
Highly recommended!
This all-star ensemble film is a throwback to 30's fare like DINNER AT EIGHT & GRAND HOTEL and runs rings around its competition -the turgid EXECUTIVE SUITE (made the same year). It's a sleek, tres sophisticated time capsule of America's mores & morals in the Fab 50's and the stellar cast shines in tailor-made roles, especially Arlene Dahl as a scheming doll trying to sleep her husband's way to the top. She'd later steal the show in 1956's SLIGHTLY SCARLET. Boasting Cinemascope, snappy dialogue, stunning NYC locations and competent direction by Jean Negulesco, one can only imagine what Douglas Sirk could have done with this amusing opus. A "dramedy" is what it would probably be called today.
A 1954 review: "Some movies are wonderful because they look so expensive -that's the biggest charm of "Woman's World". Those gorgeous gowns distributed between Arlene Dahl and Lauren Bacall, those flashy automobiles of the future sparkling like jewels on display, those breathtaking, panoramic views of New York, the Wonder City. And seven movie stars generously sharing the Technicolor light. Clifton Webb is here with his urbane, supercilious manner, as president of Gifford Motors, an outrageously prosperous business empire. He's looking for a new general manager to replace the old one, now dead. He invites the three brightest men in his organization to New York. More important, he invites their wives. The ladies, in fact, will be the decisive factors in his choice. Fred MacMurray, his ulcer and his estranged mate, Lauren Bacall, arrive from Philadelphia. Out of Texas come Van Heflin and the powerfully seductive Arlene Dahl. And Cornel Wilde planes in from Kansas City with his very lovable but painfully unsophisticated spouse -June Allyson. There follows a tense, grueling struggle for position which starts at the swank Plaza Hotel and plays itself out on a Connecticut estate where Webb's sister (Margalo Gillmore) gives the candidates a final once-over. Much is revealed about husbands, wives and worldly ambition in this slick, entertaining film."
Highly recommended!