FEMALE (First National) Ruth Chatterton, George Brent, Johnny Mack Brown. A rare “liberated woman” of the early 1930s, who heads up a big corporation, has her dominance of men challenged by Mister Right.
This is an interesting movie because the pre-code boldness of its story line would not have been permitted a year later, nor would some of its suggestive dialogue and visuals, to say nothing of the leading lady’s naughty eyes.
Director Michael Curtiz (“Casablanca”) keeps things moving right along and Chatterton is fascinating throughout. Don’t expect nudity or four-letter words, however, and don’t expect the story to be very credible. The whole thing is pretty much of a hoot but worth watching if you’re curious about what passed for sophistication back in the day.
Scale of 10: I give it 6.
Tags: Female, George Brent, Johnny Mack Brown, Michael Curtiz, pre-code movie, Ruth Chatterton
