There's Always a Woman (1938)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Alexander Hall

Writers:

Gladys Lehman (screenplay)
Wilson Collison (story)

Release Date:

20 April 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Mystery

Plot Keywords:

Hidden Microphone | Drunkenness | Telephone | Butler | Gun

Cast

Joan Blondell	...	Sally Reardon
Melvyn Douglas	...	William Reardon
Mary Astor	...	Lola Fraser
Frances Drake	...	Anne Calhoun
Jerome Cowan	...	Nick Shane
Robert Paige	...	Jerry Marlowe
Thurston Hall	...	District Attorney
Pierre Watkin	...	Mr. Ketterling
Walter Kingsford	...	Grigson - Butler
Lester Matthews	...	Walter Fraser

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #4022) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:K-16

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

As originally shot, the script contained a sizable role for Rita Hayworth. When, however, it was decided that 'There's Always a Woman' was to be the first of a series, the studio eliminated Hayworth's role rather than have a third major character who, like Blondell and Douglas, would be committed to the series. In any event, Blondell withdrew from the planned series, and all but three seconds of Hayworth's role landed on the cutting-room floor. She speaks two words on-screen and 5 words on an intercom off-screen.

Movie Connections:

Followed by There's That Woman Again (1939)

Soundtrack:

The Stars and Stripes Forever

whodunnit ... thin man style...fun bickering

There's Always a Woman stars Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas as husband and wife, trying to solve a case, much like Myrna Loy and William Powell in the Thin Man series, with "Always a Woman" coming several years after Thin Man. William Reardon (Douglas) is deciding if he wants to stay in the private eye business, when wife Sally (Blondell) comes along and interferes in all his business. This one is a little more edgey and biting than the Thin Man; here, they have it out, and it's not alway quite the same gentle, kidding tone that Thin Man has. I wondered if this film had been written by the same team as Thin Man, but it appears it was completely different writers. Viewers will recognize Mary Astor who started in silent films, and made many films, including several with Bogart (Maltese Falcon, Across the Pacific). Blondell will probably be most well known for Three on a match and Desk Set. Interesting that both of Melvyn Douglas' Oscars were for Best Supporting Roles, much later in his career.