The Women
I’ve not seen the recent version of The Women, but the 1939 version is based on the 1936 play by Clare Boothe Luce, The Women is a satirical look at the lives of a handful of wealthy Manhattan women, focusing in particular on Mary Haines (Norma Shearer), a cheerful, contented wife of Stephen and mother of Little Mary. Gossip flows more than hair dye at the salon these wealthy women visit where Mary's confidant Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell) learns from a manicurist that Mary's husband has been having an affair with a predatory perfume counter girl named Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford). This scene is so striking, no wonder countless variations have been filmed in movies and TV shows. With a cast like this it was impossible not to watch just for the performances alone. Through a subtle voice change and body language Norma Shearer brings her character through a crisis, stronger and cagier. Joan Crawford is the ultimate mean woman with no compucture about ruining a marriage.
A modern updated version was released this month. Reviews are mixed, but once again the cast features some stellar names including Meg Ryan as Mary Haines, Annette Bening as Sylvia Fowler and Eva Mendez as Crystal Allen. The supporting cast is rounded out by other notable names.
Have you seen both versions? Post a comment.