I see that TCM is showing the movie "The Women". I think it is one of the most demeaning and

[JohnSJ]

sexist movie made about women, and “how they should behave” subservient when they are abused by a cheating husband

That they give this movie four stars is beyond me

[Paladin]

1. Yeah, they had a lotta nerve, back in 1939. (nt)

[wryter2000]

2. I can't disagree

However, it is a product of its time. To a certain extent, it's good to see where we have come from so we make sure we don't go back. It also helps us to recognize that sexism is still alive and with us. Plus, according to IMDB, the main cast was all women.

I guess you know the test (forget who it's named after) of the value of women in a movie. 1) are there two women with characters important enough to have a name? 2) do they talk to each other? 3) do they talk to each other about something other than men? This film might not be 100% on #3, but for 1939 it's pretty darned close.

So, I think it's worthwhile to watch, even if the main message is repugnant.

All that said, I'd scream bloody murder if someone made a film like it today and expected anyone to take it seriously.

[DeeNice]

3. the Bechdel test nt

[wryter2000]

5. Thanks!

[JohnSJ]

7. Understood, but that it is still rated four stars, I am not sure what that says. Similar things

can be said about Gone with the wind in relation to race

[wryter2000]

18. My problem with Gone with the Wind and racism

Is GWTW is generally introduced as a wonderful, sweeping saga with beautiful photography and compelling characters. If one shows Birth of a Nation, it's up front in-your-face what that movie is about, but it's easy to ignore the racism in GWTW. I know I didn't even see it as a teenager when I first saw the movie and read the book.

I don't think most people are even aware of The Women unless they like old movies, and the treatment of women is inescapable.

My guess the four-star rating is old and goes after the quality of the film, not the message.

[JohnSJ]

19. All goo observations

[Clash City Rocker]

4. Screenplay by two women based in a play written by a woman, FWIW

The film’s most famous line is rather misogynistic, although I also find it a clever bit of wordplay: “There's a name for you ladies, but it isn't used in high society... outside of a kennel.”

[JohnSJ]

8. and the women who are the stars are extremely strong powerful women who would have never

put up with that nonsense

[kimbutgar]

6. I would have kicked that cheating husband to the forever curb.

I never got that she forgave her husband and welcomed that cheating liar back with open arms.

The remake was even more odious the opposite sex.

Though I did like the cattiness of the women in both movies.

[JohnSJ]

11. Exactly, and what is most irritating is they frame it as though it is her fault

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. That movie is a freaking classic.

[CurtEastPoint]

22. I first saw it 30 + years ago in a theater in Atlanta full of gay men. It was a hoot then and now.

[NurseJackie]

10. I love The Women... so many great lines in there!

And what a great cast! Norma Shearer is superb. It's easy to judge and be harsh using today's standards... such a thing would never be made today. But as a time-capsule comedy... it's absolutely marvelous.

FIVE STARS!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I hate to tell you dear, but your skin makes the Rockies look like chiffon velvet.

The spider's in the parlor. Let's join her.

My Johnny doesn't like Sylvia's Jungle Red. He said he'd like to do her nails right down to the wrist with a buzz saw.

Our new one-piece foundation garment. Zips up the back, and no bone.

Thanks for the tip. But when anything I wear doesn't please him, I take it off.

[JohnSJ]

12. ironically not one of those women, Norma Shearer specifically, I doubt would have put up with

a spouse like that in real life

[NurseJackie]

13. Norma Shearer had a little fling with a young Mickey Rooney...

... but I'll always remember her as Mrs. Irving Thalberg. I absolutely adore her!

I doubt would have put up with a spouse like that in real life

Great actors do a lot of things on film and on stage that they personally wouldn't do in real life.

[kimbutgar]

14. I'm a big Norma Sheared fan

I liked the Divorcee the best!

[NurseJackie]

15. YESSSS!!

I do too!

[kimbutgar]

16. My mother in law met her at the Sun Valley ski resort in 1938 when she took a job after high school

She said she was really nice.

I felt sorry about Irving but he was sickly from the start, her second husband was her stud lover!

[NurseJackie]

21. Norma and a very handsome man... she had quite a life!

[GemState]

25. My mother also worked at Sun Valley after

high school in 1948. So many stars there in the 30’s and 40’s. The only autograph she collected though wasn’t a star’s; it was Harry Truman’s.

[kimbutgar]

27. Maybe they knew each other!

My mother in law is 90 and still is active and clear minded.

[GemState]

33. My mother has passed but

the chances are good that they did. Wood River Valley was 3 small towns in those days, not the Aspen-type resort area it is today.

[MotorCityBeard]

29. Loved The Divorcee, too

Norma Shearer did some pretty daring movies before the Production Code took effect in 1934, this was one of them.

Loved it. Her husband cheats on her and she is supposed to forgive and forget. She has her own affair to even up the score and surprise, the husband can't deal with it.

"From now on, you're the only man in the world that my door is closed to." ...

[MotorCityBeard]

28. One of my all time favorite movies

Ok, I'm a gay man and I believe a lot of us are partial to this one but it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen and one of my all time favorites. Sure it's offensive; I'm surprised no one mentioned the beginning showing the cast and associating each one with a different animal (Mary with a deer, her daughter with a doe, Sylvia with a cat, Edith with a cow, Crystal with a leopard, etc.).

It's a product of it's times and you have to view it that way. 1939 was a very different time for women.

The movie is FULL of great lines; "Let's all have another little drinkie", "I've had two years to grow claws, mother, JUNGLE RED!" "As you say, you have so MANY men...". I could go on and quote the whole movie.

I finally watched Holiday Inn last Christmas season. Fred Astaire's dancing was incredible and loved it. BUT, they had this horrible stereotypical black maid character with two children; I just cringed. THEN, Bing Crosby does a blackface number. I can see why White Christmas is shown more than this one.

Being a gay man, I saw The Boys in the Band and thought it was a great one. I've never been as tortured about being gay as they are in the play, but again, it is a product of it's time. At least no one killed themselves or was some horrible villain in this one. You look for progress where you can get it.

Meg Ryan did a remake of this one not to long ago. Never understood why. This is way too dated to apply to modern times and never understood what she was thinking.

[LuvLoogie]

17. I love that movie.

I haven't seen it in about 30 years, but I remember it being pretty special.

[Elessar Zappa]

20. Never seen it but

it’s probably being judged in context of the time period. Not saying that’s right or wrong but that’s probably why it gets good reviews.

[samnsara]

23. how did you like the end? That scene made me cringe.....

..but i liked that it was an all female cast.

[JohnSJ]

26. Yes it did make me cringe

[kskiska]

24. And then there's Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Carousel"

where one of the issues is wife beating.
The late Billy Bigelow's (Gordon Macrae) daughter asks her mother (Shirley Jones), “Has it ever happened to you? Has anyone ever hit you — without hurtin’?” As Hammerstein wrote it, Julie (speaking of her late husband) answers yes: “It is possible, dear, for someone to hit you — hit you hard — and not hurt at all.”

They're all products of their time.

[maxsolomon]

30. TCM usually puts things in context.

All old movies need to be put in context.

Hot tip: DON'T TURN ON SCREEN PIX; they show exploitation movies uncensored! Lots of b00bz.

[JohnSJ]

31. If they have a host

[FakeNoose]

32. I won't watch it tonight, but I have seen "The Women" - loved it!

There were so many quick, funny lines in that movie that it was hard to keep up. I was laughing so hard that I missed things and had to watch a second time.

OK it's not the message that we want our daughters and granddaughters to hear, because we're already past a lot of that. But it is entertaining and it can be enjoyed as a product of its time. In fact "The Women" was really ahead of its own time, but it's behind OUR time.

That is all. Enjoy it for what it is.