Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, and Rosalind Russell are “The Women”

The Women (1939), directed by George Cukor, is a biting, high-society comedy-drama unique for its entirely female cast—not a single man appears on screen. However, their influence looms over every scene. The story centers on Mary Haines (Norma Shearer), a virtuous and refined socialite living in a gossipy Manhattan circle. Her world is upended when she discovers, through the malicious whispers of her “friends,” that her husband is having an affair with a ruthless perfume salesgirl named Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford). As the news spreads through the beauty salons and fitting rooms of Park Avenue, Mary is forced to confront the fragility of her marriage and the vultures circling her social standing.

Driven by the sharp-tongued provocations of the ultimate frenemy, Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell), Mary eventually retreats to a dude ranch in Reno to seek a divorce, a common destination for society women of the era looking for a “quick fix” to their marital woes. While there, she is surrounded by a colorful cast of fellow divorcees, each representing a different facet of womanhood—from the cynical multiple-divorcee Countess de Lave (Mary Boland), to the world-weary Peggy Day (Joan Fontaine). The film brilliantly balances slapstick comedy and sophisticated satire, using the shared experience of heartbreak and betrayal to examine the bonds and rivalries between women.

As Mary navigates her new identity as a single woman, the film evolves into a masterful study of poise versus pride. She must decide whether to stoop to the manipulative tactics of her rivals or maintain her dignity in a world that thrives on scandal.

The cast of The Women

George Cukor (1899–1983) was a titan of Hollywood’s Golden Age, celebrated for his sophisticated wit, impeccable style, and a rare ability to elicit career-defining performances from his actors. Often labeled a “woman's director”—a reductive title he both embraced and transcended—he became the go-to filmmaker for the industry’s greatest leading ladies, including Katharine Hepburn, Joan Crawford, and Judy Garland. His filmography is a masterclass in literary and stage adaptations, ranging from the sparkling social comedy of The Philadelphia Story (1940) and Adam’s Rib (1949) to the grand musical tragedy of A Star Is Born (1954). Though he famously lost his position as the director of Gone with the Wind due to creative clashes, Cukor’s legacy remained untarnished, eventually culminating in a Best Director Oscar for My Fair Lady (1964). Known for his “invisible” directorial hand, he prioritized the emotional truth of a scene over visual gimmicks, cementing his status as one of cinema’s most literate and enduring storytellers.

Norma Shearer (1902–1983), hailed as the “First Lady of MGM,” was a powerhouse of the studio system who transformed herself from a determined Canadian immigrant into one of the most influential actresses in Hollywood history. A five-time Academy Award nominee, she won the Oscar for The Divorcee (1930), a landmark Pre-Code film that established her as a symbol of the “New Woman”—sophisticated, sexually liberated, and fiercely independent. As the wife of MGM’s legendary production chief Irving Thalberg, Shearer commanded the studio’s most prestigious projects, ranging from opulent period dramas like Marie Antoinette (1938) to the sharp-tongued social satire like The Women (1939). Renowned for her meticulous work ethic and ability to control her own screen image, she retired at the height of her fame in 1942, leaving behind a legacy as the quintessential star of cinema’s Golden Age.

Joan Crawford (1904–1977) was a titan of Hollywood resilience, evolving from a Depression-era “Jazz Age” flapper into a quintessential dramatic star over a career that spanned five decades. Born Lucille LeSueur, she ascended the ranks at MGM through sheer force of will, famously cultivating a direct relationship with her fans that made her one of the most bankable stars of the 1930s. Her performance in The Women (1939) as the predatory Crystal Allen showcased her capacity for cold, calculating villainy, a sharp contrast to the hardworking “shopgirl” roles that had made her a hero to audiences. After being labeled “box office poison” in the late 30s, she staged one of the greatest comebacks in cinema history, winning an Academy Award for Mildred Pierce (1945) at Warner Bros. Known for her striking features, including her expressive eyes and architectural bone structure, Crawford’s legacy is defined by her absolute commitment to the art of stardom and her ability to constantly reinvent her image to suit the changing tides of the film industry.

Rosalind Russell (1907–1976) was a singular force in Hollywood, a performer who redefined the “leading lady” by proving that a woman could be both impossibly chic and hilariously eccentric. Originally groomed by MGM as a sophisticated dramatic lead, she found her true calling in comedy when she shed her vanity to play the meddling, gossip-hungry Sylvia Fowler in The Women (1939), famously using exaggerated physical comedy to steal scenes from a powerhouse ensemble. This success led to her definitive performance as Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday (1940), where her “machine-gun” delivery of overlapping dialogue set the gold standard for the screwball comedy genre and established her as the screen’s premier “career woman.” Over a prolific career that earned her four Academy Award nominations and a legendary late-career triumph as the title character in Auntie Mame (1958), Russell remained a trailblazer who championed intelligence and wit as the ultimate form of glamour.

 

The Women trivia

• A Manless World: True to its title, the film features an entirely female cast. Not a single man appears on screen or is even heard—even the background extras, the portraits on the walls, and the household pets were female. The only “male” in the entire film is a brief image of Douglas Fairbanks Jr. on the back of a magazine.
• The Battle for Billing: Rosalind Russell was so determined to get top billing alongside superstars Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford that she famously called in “sick” for several days. She refused to return to work until the studio relented and placed her name above the title, albeit in slightly smaller type than the other two leads.
• A “Jungle Red” Injury: During the famous “catfight” scene at the Reno ranch, the physical comedy turned real. No stunt doubles were used, and in the heat of the moment, Rosalind Russell actually bit Paulette Goddard, leaving a permanent scar on Goddard's arm. Despite the injury, the two remained lifelong friends.
• Technicolor Surprise: Although the film was shot in black and white, it features a jarring and lavish six-minute fashion show filmed in three-strip Technicolor. This sequence showcased the gowns of legendary costume designer Adrian and was included specifically to appeal to the female audience’s interest in high fashion.

 

Click HERE to watch the movie online.

Click HERE to join the online discussion on February 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation with a link to join the discussion on Zoom.

 

The showdown between Crawford and Shearer

Discussion questions

1. The Absence of Men: Although no men appear on screen, the entire plot revolves around their actions, whims, and financial support. Does the “manless” cast highlight the independence of these women, or does it ironically emphasize how much their identities and security are tethered to men?
2. Female Solidarity vs. Sabotage: The film features a wide spectrum of female relationships, from the unwavering loyalty of the “plain” friends to the predatory behavior of Crystal Allen and the gossiping of Sylvia Fowler. Is the film ultimately a celebration of sisterhood, or is it a cynical critique of how women compete with one another?
3. The Evolution of Mary Haines: Mary begins the film as a passive, “noble” wife who is told to ignore her husband’s infidelity to keep her dignity. By the final act, she adopts a more aggressive, “jungle red” strategy. Does the film suggest that Mary has “grown up” by learning to fight dirty, or has she lost her moral superiority by joining the “vultures?”
4. Class and the “Service” Economy: Throughout the film, the secrets of the upper class are facilitated and exposed by service workers—manicurists, maids, and salesgirls. How does the film use these working-class characters to comment on the hypocrisy and fragility of the high-society women they serve?

 

 

Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, and Paulette Goddard try to “Hold Back the Dawn”

Set against the backdrop of a dusty Mexican border town, Hold Back the Dawn (1941), directed by Mitchell Leisen, follows the story of Georges Iscovescu (Charles Boyer), a suave but desperate European dancer stranded in a crowded hotel. Having fled the turmoil of war-torn Europe, Georges is one of many refugees stuck in a bureaucratic limbo, waiting for a quota number that will allow him to legally enter the United States. When he realizes his wait could last years, he becomes disillusioned and decides to take a more cynical path to gain entry.

The plot pivots when Georges encounters an old flame and former dance partner, Anita Dixon (Paulette Goddard), who has successfully entered the U.S. by marrying an American citizen and then quickly divorcing him. Anita convinces Georges that his best chance at freedom is to find a naive American woman to marry for the sole purpose of obtaining a visa. This cold-hearted plan sets the stage for a calculated seduction, as Georges begins to scan the various tourists visiting the border for a suitable target.

His mark arrives in the form of Emmy Brown (Olivia de Havilland), a sweet, wholesome schoolteacher from California who has brought her students on a brief field trip across the border. Sensing her innocence and romantic nature, Georges turns on his considerable charm, sweeping her off her feet in a whirlwind twenty-four-hour courtship. Emmy, unaware of the legal mechanics behind his sudden affection, falls deeply in love and agrees to marry him, believing she has found a genuine soulmate amidst the chaos of the world.

The final act of the story explores the growing tension between Georges’s deceptive intentions and the unexpected emotional impact of Emmy’s unwavering kindness. As an immigration officer begins to investigate the suspicious speed of their marriage, Georges is forced to navigate a high-stakes game of pretense. The film focuses on the psychological conflict of a man caught between his desperate need for a new life and the guilt of exploiting a woman who represents the very best of the country he is so desperate to join.

 

Charles Boyer and Olivia de Havilland

Hold Back the Dawn trivia

1. The Movie That Made Billy Wilder a Director

The legendary Billy Wilder co-wrote the screenplay, but he was so infuriated by the filming process that he vowed never to let another director “ruin” his scripts again. Specifically, lead actor Charles Boyer refused to film a scene Wilder had written where his character, in a moment of despondent isolation, has a conversation with a cockroach on his hotel wall. When director Mitchell Leisen sided with the actor and cut the scene, Wilder decided he had to become a director himself to protect his work. His very next project was his directorial debut, The Major and the Minor (1942).

2. Semi-Autobiographical Origins

The film’s focus on the grueling wait for a U.S. visa was deeply personal for Billy Wilder. As a Jewish refugee fleeing Nazi Germany, Wilder had actually spent time stranded in a Mexican border town (Mexicali) in the late 1930s, waiting for his own quota number to come up so he could legally re-enter the United States. He channeled that genuine anxiety and the “limbo” of the border hotels directly into the script.

3. The Sister vs. Sister Oscar Showdown

The 1941 Academy Awards featured one of the most famous sibling rivalries in history. Olivia de Havilland was nominated for Best Actress for Hold Back the Dawn, while her sister, Joan Fontaine, was nominated in the same category for Hitchcock’s Suspicion. When Fontaine won, it notoriously cooled their relationship for years. This remains one of the few times in Oscar history that two sisters competed against each other for the same top honor.

4. A Clever “Meta” Cameo

The film uses a “story-within-a-story” framing device where Charles Boyer’s character enters a movie studio to sell his life story to a director. The director he speaks to is played by none other than Mitchell Leisen, the real-life director of Hold Back the Dawn. In the scene, Leisen is shown directing a movie starring Veronica Lake and Brian Donlevy, which was actually real footage from I Wanted Wings, a film Leisen had completed just months earlier.

Click HERE to watch the movie. This is a new site for watching movies. You may have to register to watch it, but registration is free.

Click HERE to join the online discussion on January 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation and link to join the discussion on Zoom.

 

Discussion questions

 1. The Morality of the “Visa Marriage”

Georges begins the film as a cynical opportunist who views Emmy merely as a “passport” to the United States. Given the desperate circumstances of the European refugees in the hotel, does the film successfully make Georges a sympathetic protagonist, or does his exploitation of Emmy’s innocence make him irredeemable? At what specific point in the film—if ever—do you think his feelings for her become genuine?

2. The Portrayal of Bureaucracy and the Border

Hold Back the Dawn was released in 1941, while the real-world visa crisis for refugees was at its peak. How does the film portray the American immigration system? Does the “limbo” of the Mexican border town feel like a prison, or is it presented with the lighthearted touch typical of Paramount romances of that era? Consider how the setting of the Hotel Esperanza reflects the emotional state of its residents.

3. Emmy Brown: Naivety vs. Strength

Emmy is often described as a “wholesome schoolteacher,” a archetype common in 1940s cinema. However, by the end of the film, she is forced to confront a devastating betrayal. Does Emmy remain a victim throughout the story, or does her reaction to the truth show a different kind of strength? Discuss how Olivia de Havilland’s performance (which earned her an Oscar nomination) elevates a character that could have been a one-dimensional "mark."

4. The “Wilder” Influence and Tone

Knowing that Billy Wilder was frustrated by the direction of this film, can you spot the “Wilder touch” in the dialogue or the darker, more cynical moments of the plot? Compare the sophisticated, witty banter between Georges and Anita to the earnest, romantic scenes with Emmy. How do these two different “worlds”—the cynical European past and the optimistic American future—clash within the film’s narrative?

 

 

The Three Queens of Paramount: Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, and Veronica Lake star in “So Proudly We Hail”

So Proudly We Hail! (1943) is an American war film directed and produced by Mark Sandrich and starring Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, and Veronica Lake. The cinematography was by Charles Lang, and the music was by Miklos Rozsa.

The film follows a group of U.S. Army nurses stationed in the Pacific during the early days of World War II. The story is told through a series of flashbacks as one of the nurses, Lieutenant Janet “Davy” Davidson (Colbert), is being evacuated back to the States. She recounts the harrowing experiences she and her fellow nurses endured, starting with their idyllic pre-war lives and their subsequent deployment to the Philippines. The film portrays the close-knit bonds that form among the nurses as they face the brutal realities of war, including the constant threat of Japanese attacks and the overwhelming casualties they must tend to.

The main plot focuses on the nurses’ heroic efforts to care for wounded soldiers during the Battle of Bataan and the subsequent Fall of Corregidor. Led by their compassionate chief nurse, Captain Olivia D’Arcy, the women demonstrate incredible resilience and bravery while working in makeshift hospitals under deplorable conditions. The film highlights the personal sacrifices they make, including those to their own health and well-being, in service to their country. Romantic subplots emerge, with Davy falling in love with a dashing soldier named Lieutenant John Summers, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the narrative.

Ultimately, the film serves as a powerful tribute to the courage and selflessness of military nurses. It chronicles their struggles and triumphs, from their initial arrival in the Pacific to their eventual capture and internment by the Japanese. The movie’s final scenes depict the stark contrast between their valiant service and the grim reality of their fate, emphasizing the tremendous human cost of war. So Proudly We Hail! is a classic example of a wartime propaganda film, designed to honor the contributions of women in the armed forces and boost morale on the home front.

 

Colbert, Goddard, and Lake

Mark Sandrich (1900–1945) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter best known for directing a series of successful Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals at RKO Pictures in the 1930s. A notable example is Top Hat (1935), which is widely regarded as the duo's best film. Sandrich began his career in the film industry as a prop man before moving on to direct comedy shorts and eventually feature films. In the 1940s, he also worked as a producer on films he directed, including the highly successful musical Holiday Inn (1942), which featured the debut of the iconic song "White Christmas," and the patriotic war drama So Proudly We Hail! (1943). His career was cut short when he died suddenly from a heart attack at age 44 while working on the film Blue Skies (1946).

 

Claudette Colbert (1903 -1996) was an American stage, film, and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Ellie Andrews in Frank Capra’s It Happened One Night (1934). For her role in that film, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She was nominated two other times in that category. Colbert got her start in the theater, where she played a variety of ingenue roles. In 1928, she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, where she quickly made a succession of movies. Her breakout role came in 1932 in The Sign of the Cross (1932) starring Fredric March and Charles Laughton. In 1934, she made three films that were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: Imitation of Life, Cleopatra, and the eventual winner, It Happened One Night. No one had been able to match that record. Other popular films include I Met Him in Paris (1937), Drums Along the Mohawk (1939), Midnight (1939), The Palm Beach Story (1942), Since You Went Away (1944), and The Egg and I (1947).

Paulette Goddard (1905–1990) was an American actress who rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Born Marion Pauline Levy, she began her career as a child model and then became a Ziegfeld Girl on Broadway. She moved to Hollywood and gained attention for her relationship with Charlie Chaplin, who cast her as the female lead in Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940). Goddard went on to become a major star for Paramount Pictures, appearing in popular films such as The Cat and the Canary (1939) and Reap the Wild Wind (1942). She earned her only Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as an army nurse in So Proudly We Hail! (1943). Her life after Hollywood included her marriage to writer Erich Maria Remarque and a legacy of philanthropy.

Veronica Lake (1922 - 1973) was an American film, stage, and television actress. She was a popular star of film noirs, often paired with Alan Ladd in the 1940s. She was also famous for her peek-a-boo hairstyle. Her home studio, Paramount, dubbed her the peek-a-boo girl. Women and girls all over the world copied her hair-over-one-eye hairstyle. Lake became an overnight sensation with her role in I Wanted Wings (1940). During the height of her career, Lake was making $4,500 a week. Some of her popular films include Sullivan’s Travels (1941),  This Gun for Hire (1942), The Glass Key (1942), So Proudly We Hail! (1943), and The Blue Dahlia (1946). Lake’s career declined due to her struggle with alcoholism. She died from cirrhosis of the liver in 1973. She was 50 years old.

 

So Proudly We Hail trivia

• Claudette Colbert was 39, Paulette Goddard was 32, and Veronica Lake was 20 during the film’s release.
• Lake, in keeping with Army regulations, changed her famous “peek-a-boo” hairstyle. She let her hair down only once toward the end of the film.
• Goddard was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award. It was her one and only nomination. The film was nominated for three other Academy Awards.
• Paramount went to great lengths to ensure the film’s accuracy.

 

Click HERE to watch the film on the Internet Archive.

Click HERE to join the online discussion on September 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation to join the discussion on Zoom.

 

Discussion questions

1. How does the film’s narrative structure, which incorporates flashbacks from Janet Davidson’s perspective, affect the viewer's emotional connection to the characters and the events?
2. In what ways does “So Proudly We Hail!” serve as both a tribute to military nurses and a piece of wartime propaganda? Consider the portrayal of gender roles, patriotism, and the enemy.
3. Discuss the different types of relationships depicted in the film—friendships among the nurses, romantic relationships, and the professional dynamics with the soldiers and doctors. How do these relationships evolve under the stress of war?
4. The film often contrasts moments of intense combat and suffering with quieter scenes of camaraderie and personal reflection. How does this juxtaposition contribute to the film’s overall message about the human experience of war?

 

 

 

 

 

Great films of 1939: "The Women" July 23 at the Daystar Center

Great films of 1939: The Women
Where: The Venue 1550 at the Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Chicago, IL
When: July 23, 2016
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

The Women (1939) features an all-star female cast directed by George Cukor in the film version of Clare Boothe's Broadway play. Set among the pampered Park Avenue set played by Rosalind Russell, Joan Fontaine, Paulette Goddard, Mary Boland and Norma Shearer. Joan Crawford plays the manipulative Crystal Allen out to steal Mary Haine's (Shearer) husband so she can live on Park Avenue too. The film has the added dynamic of the real-life professional rivalry between stars Crawford and Shearer.

Director George Cukor (center) with cast of The Women

The Women has been remade as a musical in 1956 and updated in 2008, but neither version holds a candle to the original.

In 2007, the film was voted to the National Film Registry for preservation.

Part of the “Great movies of 1939” series. Discover some of the greatest movies from Hollywood’s most famous year.

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

Before the movie, grab a cup of coffee from Overflow Coffee Bar, located within the Daystar Center. You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

Daystar Center located at 1550 S. State St. works through a grassroots network of collaborations and partnerships with individuals and other nonprofit organizations. Through this web, they’re able to provide educational, cultural, and civic activities that enrich and empower their clients, guests, and community members. To learn more about classes and events offered at the Daystar Center, please visit their Web site.

Merry Christmas!

Is there a present under the tree for us, Paulette?

Mitchell Leisen: The Best Director Nobody Knows

Mitchel Leisen's trademark signature

Sometimes history isn’t always fair. For example, there are movie directors and actors, who in their day, were enormously famous and successful, but for whatever reasons are almost forgotten today.

Paramount Director
Such is the case with Mitchell Leisen (1898-1972), a top director during Hollywood’s golden age. As a contract director at Paramount, he worked with all the top stars during that period: Carole Lombard, Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Jack Benny, Fredric March, Ray Milland, Marlene Dietrich, and Barbara Stanwyck.

Fred MacMurray

Early Commercial Success
Best known for his elegant romantic comedies, Leisen also excelled at action and melodramatic films. Leisen got his start as an art director and costume designer. Working under famed director Cecil B. DeMille, Leisen received his one and only Academy Award nomination for his art direction of Dynamite in 1930.  He eventually worked his way up the ladder, directing his first film, Cradle Song, in 1933. The next year, Leisen directed two popular films Death Takes a Holiday and Murder at the Vanities. In 1935, he knocked one out of the park with Hands Across the Table. This landmark romantic comedy made Carole Lombard a superstar and established Fred MacMurray as a top leading man. During the rest of the 1930s, Leisen made some of the most commercial films at Paramount, including Swing High, Swing Low which was the studio’s biggest moneymaker in 1937. That same year, he directed the classic Easy Living starring Jean Arthur. Leisen topped off the decade with the delightful Midnight starring Claudette Colbert and Don Ameche. This romantic comedy, one of the many great films released in 1939, unfortunately does not have the status of some of its less-worthy, but better-known contemporaries.

The Fabulous Forties

Claudette Colbert

During the next decade, Leisen produced more winners for Paramount. In 1940, he directed the classic Remember the Night starring Stanwyck and MacMurray. The sensitive Hold Back the Dawn (1941) provided Olivia de Haviland with one of her best film roles up to that time. Leisen’s masterful direction helped de Haviland receive her first Best Actress Academy Award nomination. Later in the decade, he would direct de Haviland in her Oscar-winning performance for To Each His Own (1946). In 1944, Leisen was trusted with directing two big-budget Technicolor productions: Lady in the Dark starring Ginger Rodgers and Frenchman’s Creek starring Joan Fontaine. Both films were huge commercial successes and both focused on the talent and beauty of the female leads. As Dona St. Columb, Joan Fontaine never looked more beautiful. In 1945 Leisen directed Paulette Goddard to one of her biggest commercial and critical successes in Kitty. After seeing Goddard in that film, French film director, Jean Renoir decided to cast her as the lead in Diary of a Chambermaid the following year.

Paramount's George Cukor
Leisen, like George Cukor, at MGM, had a reputation for his direction of women. A generation of leading ladies at Paramount owe Leisen a great debt. Many did their best work under his direction. For others, he crafted popular vehicles ideally tailored to their personalities.

TV Director
His success as a director continued into the early 1950s. Leisen’s last popular success was The Mating Season (1952) starring Gene Tierney, John Lund, and the Oscar-nominated Thelma Ritter. After The Girl Most Likely in 1958, with movie projects nonexistent, Leisen turned his attention to television, directing episodes of popular shows like the Twilight Zone, Wagon Train, and The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.

Of all the directors to come out of the studio system, Mitchell Leisen was one of the best. And one day, I hope, he’ll receive the recognition and honor he deserves.