Das schwache Geschlecht (1956)

Das schwache Geschlecht: Directed by David Miller. With June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan. Shortly after their 10th wedding anniversary, New York City theater producer Steven Hilliard (Leslie Nielsen) and his wife, former popular radio singer Kay Ashley Hilliard (June Allyson), are getting a Kay-initiated Reno divorce after Kay finds out about a marital indiscretion he had with Crystal Allen (Dame Joan Collins), a gold-digging chorus girl in one of his shows. News of the indiscretion made its way to Kay indirectly by her catty friend Sylvia Fowler (Dolores Gray). In getting the divorce, Kay’s best friend, playwright Amanda Penrose (Ann Sheridan), believes Kay is playing right into the wants of Crystal, whose main goal is not to be happily married to Steven, but to get what such a marriage can bring her in material wealth and comfort. Amanda does not believe Steven loves Crystal and that he still really loves Kay. Kay proceeds with the divorce despite believing they’d had a happy, loving marriage before she learned of the indiscretion, and despite having adolescent daughter Debbie (Sandy Descher) to consider. But when Kay learns information of the goings-on within her social circle, she decides to take back control of her married status while exacting some revenge.

“No need to compare this stand-alone with the original. MGMu0026#39;s wardrobe department must have worked overtime. The ladies– and there are many– get to model all the high fashion of 1956, and some outfits are real doozies. But then this is a tell-all musical remake about sophisticated Manhattan show people from influential author Luce who certainly should know. You may need a scorecard, however, to keep up with the rotating relationships among the high class types. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI expect the film sets feminist teeth on edge now with its depiction of women as either maliciously catty (Gray u0026amp; Collins) or catty as a defensive measure (Allyson, Blondell, u0026amp; Sheridan). And thatu0026#39;s when theyu0026#39;re not chasing after men on whom it appears theyu0026#39;re emotionally dependent. I imagine that if the movie were made today, key changes would be made.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThatu0026#39;s not to say this Technicolor candy box isnu0026#39;t entertaining. It is at least campy fun, although the musical numbers are mostly forgettable. Instead, itu0026#39;s the characters that are irresistible, particularly Gray as the queen of acid gossip; Collins as the ruthless husband stealer; and Richards as the dude ranch stud. Itu0026#39;s also a well-honed supporting cast, down to a blondined henchwoman Carolyn Jones. Unfortunately, itu0026#39;s also a rather dour June Allyson, a long way from her usual verve and sparkle. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut the high-point may well be the biggest no-holds-barred brawl between two women (Miller and Gray) that Iu0026#39;ve seen. Stand aside John Wayne and the rest of the macho brawlers because this one is worthy of the best smoke-filled bar room. I donu0026#39;t know if stunt doubles filled in, but somebody deserved a fat paycheck. Anyway, if you donu0026#39;t mind seeing women behaving badly 1950u0026#39;s style, this well-upholstered confection deserves a look-see.”