When Ladies Meet 1941

     This film is based on a play by Rachel Crothers from 1932 and it is a remake of a 1933 film.  It was considered to be scandalous and the pre-Code scenes are included in this remake.  Mary Howard is a writer, her latest novel is Gods of Destiny is about a love triangle.  Mary has a love triangle of her own!!  Jimmy Lee is in love with Mary but she has become interested in her publisher Rogers Woodruf.  Rogers is married but Mary thinks this won’t be a problem??  Bridget (Bridgie) Drake has a country house outside of New York and she invites everyone (Mary, Jimmy, Rogers) to her home for the weekend.  Jimmy meets Clare Woodruf and he learns that she is the wife of Rogers.  Jimmy lets Rogers know a well known author will be available in New York.  Rogers can get an interview about his author signing with Rogers.  This isn't true and it is a trumped up excuse to keep Rogers away from the country house until later.  Jimmy introduces Claire to Mary but he doesn’t include her real surname or mention that she is married to Rogers!!

     There is a LOT going on in this film.  Spring Byington is playing a ditsy character and she usually gets this type of part or a character that’s gentle, warm and sweet.  Mary is throwing herself at Rogers but he’s a heel!!  Jimmy is a much nicer man and he truly loves Mary!!  When everyone meets Rogers’ wife, they see how beautiful, intelligent and talented she is.  They wonder what is wrong with Rogers??  3 ½* (I liked this movie) 

105 min, Comedy directed by Robert Z. Leonard with Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Greer Garson, Herbert Marshall, Spring Byington, Rafael Storm Mona Barrie, Max Willenz, Florence Shirley, Leslie Frances.

Note:  Imdb 6.2 out of 10, Rotten Tomatoes 46% audience, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 51 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 2* out of 4* average user rating 4* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed at MGM Studios, 10202 W. Washington Blvd, Culver City, California.  The 1933 version starred Mryna Loy, Frank Morgan, Robert Montgomery and Ann Harding.  The canopy bed in the room where Clare is spending in the night was also used a year earlier as the bed in which Joan Crawford had slept in for the film Susan and God 1940.  This film was a hit at the box office and earned more than $1.8 million.  Originally in the 1933 version, the role of Claire was cast as a plain-featured actress.  This was supposed to emphasize Rogers’ choice of true love over beauty and romance if he chose to remain with Clare.  In this film, the women are equally beautiful to show equality in the women as his options.