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The Women

Play trailer Poster for The Women 1939 2h 12m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Mary Haines (Norma Shearer) can't believe her husband's having an affair with salesgirl Crystal (Joan Crawford). But when Sylvia (Rosalind Russell) and Edith (Phyllis Povah) deliver the gossip firsthand, Mary heads to Reno for a divorce. En route she meets Countess de Lave (Mary Boland) and Miriam (Paulette Goddard), who coincidentally is having an affair with Sylvia's husband. Once in Reno, the Countess finds another beau, Sylvia shows up for a divorce and Mary plots to win back her man.
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The Women

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Critics Consensus

A feast of sharp dialogue delivered by an expertly assembled cast, The Women makes the transition from stage to screen without losing a step.

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Critics Reviews

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Katherine Howard Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com May 25, 2021
As one member of the female sex trying to be honest, we'll have to confess that we squirmed, but also admit that we saw many of our sisters in their true life characters. Go to Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer May 25, 2021
Joan Crawford gives her best performance in several seasons as Crystal; Paulette Goddard brings striking good looks and expert playing to the ex-show girl who walks off with Miss Russell's husband; and Joan Fontaine is a lamb among the wolves. Go to Full Review Mae Tinée Chicago Tribune May 25, 2021
As one woman to another -- DON'T miss The Women, girls -- but better leave papa at home. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 3, 2025
3.5/4
Much of the dialogue is comic gold, with several risque quips somehow making it past the censors ("He could crack a coconut with those knees ... if he could get them together!"). Go to Full Review Cinelandia Staff Cinelandia Sep 1, 2022
Otherwise extraordinary... filled with comedic situations, and beautiful moments. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Ada Hanifin San Francisco Examiner May 25, 2021
The characters are altogether too unimportant to waste time and space in writing about them. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Jul 23, 2026 Wow what a star studded lineup of leading actresses. An all female cast leads this brilliant story about a woman who learns that her husband is stepping out on her. Everyone is involved from the maids ,to the children and especially to a group of ladies lead by Mary and Crystal. Mary Being the victim here. Loved the performances and I was shocked to learn not one Oscar nomination. Great movie. Tim Treakle See more Kimba T. @RT08689763 Apr 19, 2026 Outstanding!!! A definite favorite!! See more Melanie Y @RT42683146 Jun 13, 2025 The 1939 version of THE WOMEN is one of the best movies of the 1930s. The sharp wit and backbiting is so much fun to watch! Do yourself a favor and do NOT watch any of the remakes. See more Steve D @RT35616104 May 20, 2023 The historical significance is better than the actual film. See more Nizar N @RT00283363 Feb 20, 2023 It may have its flaws, what with the shrieking worsened by old low-quality sound, the few scenes that could be shorter, and the aged views and beliefs on genders. But everything else surpasses those drawbacks, beginning with the perfectly-picked all-women cast and their performances, to the smooth transitioning of a play and its choreographies into cinema, to the high-end wit and comedy, to the direction and even the technicolor fashion show which has been criticized over the years as being a waste but now could act as a time capsule of the outfits of yesteryear. Yes it could've been shorter, but its duration means more time enjoying a movie so unique that there possibly will never be another one even close to The Women. See more Bruce M @RT07502106 Sep 27, 2022 A 5 STAR COMEDY WITH A WONDERFUL CAST. See more Read all reviews
The Women

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Cast & Crew

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George Cukor

Director

Norma Shearer

Mary

Joan Crawford

Crystal Allen

Rosalind Russell

Sylvia

Mary Boland

Flora

Paulette Goddard

Miriam Aarons

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The Women

The Women (1939) The Women (1939) The Women (1939) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Mary Haines (Norma Shearer) can't believe her husband's having an affair with salesgirl Crystal (Joan Crawford). But when Sylvia (Rosalind Russell) and Edith (Phyllis Povah) deliver the gossip firsthand, Mary heads to Reno for a divorce. En route she meets Countess de Lave (Mary Boland) and Miriam (Paulette Goddard), who coincidentally is having an affair with Sylvia's husband. Once in Reno, the Countess finds another beau, Sylvia shows up for a divorce and Mary plots to win back her man.
Director
George Cukor
Producer
Hunt Stromberg
Screenwriter
Anita Loos, Jane Murfin
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loew's Inc.
Production Co
Loew's Inc., Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 1, 1939, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 12m
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