Five about women, for women---

This week I have watched:


Smarty (1934) Joan Blondell, Warren William, Edward Everett Horton, Claire Dodd. Vicki(Joan) is married to Tony{Warren), but she is so ditsy he finally clips her on the chin. Her attorney-friend (Horton) secure her divorce and marries her himself. But she really isn't through with first hubby so makes a complete pest of herself at his apartment as he is trying to entertain others. I know Joan is supposed to be funny and fun, but was really irritating in this film. Pre-code, so gowns push the limits of being what upper class wives would wear. Not one of Joans usual delights. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025803/


First Lady (1937) Kay Francis, Anita Louise, Preston Foster, Verree Teasdale, Walter Connelly. Kay is a Washington wife of the Secretary of State who thinks he should be the next President. Her rival in D.C. women's circles is the wife of a stuffy Supreme Court Justice, who hates it and wants a divorce. Except the powerful owner of a huge newspaper chain is picking him for the next Republican candidate. So she does an about face in order to become first lady, which makes Mrs. Sec. furious. Kay and Verree are great as they get off their putdowns of each other and zingers and the looks are like daggers to the heart. Anita Louise is simple lovely and should have become a huge star, she is so fragile and sweet. First rate production from Warners. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028874/


The Women Men Marry (1937) George Murphy, Josephine Hutchinson, Sidney Blackmer, Claire Dodd. Investigative reporter marries the wrong woman, who cheats with the editor of the newspaper, while his lady partner is in love with him. All the while they are trying to get the goods on a charlatan who is duping people into giving lots of money to become part of his cult. It all works out by the end. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029793/


Diary Of A Chambermaid. (1964) Le journal d'une femme de chambre (French title) Jeanne Moreau. Boring. Moreau has one expression for everything -dour -, but she can smile but doesn't very often in this film. She is the maid who arrives on a train in the village at the beginning. We see her interact with the members of the household and the neighbors. A child is helped by her and then sent off home. In the woods her body is found later. Raped. Nothing is done, so Moreau decides who she thinks did it and contrives to frame him. But he is never convicted and the film ends with the symbolism of angry workers marching through the streets into - the future with Naziism and horror. I was not impressed. 6/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058249/


A Good Woman (2004) Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johannson, Tom Wilkinson. Oscar Wilde's play of 'good' woman, 'bad' woman and their men and what they had to do to keep them, is moved from late 1800's England to 1930's Riviera. Hunt and Johannson are fine as Mrs. Erlynne and Lady Windermer, but the old guys steal the show. Cecil, Dumby and Tuppy (Wilkinson) are so likable and droll even as they make nasty remarks, we enjoy being with them as we do all gossips. Even when we know it is wrong. In the same vein as Gosford Park - it is the era, the costumes, the music of the times - that weave a spell. If you let it. 8/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379306/



Keeping up with the news these days make me want to cry, but I had to buck up and send a donation to the Salvation Army International for Japan. Now we have another war. Has this earth ever had all its peoples at peace at the same time. The more I know of history, the less likely it seems. Hopefully, we will have some good news soon. Meanwhile, comedies for this coming week!