The Gay Mrs. Trexel (1940)
"Susan and God" (original title)

Susan Trexel is a wealthy socialite, who while vacationing in Europe undergoes a religious transformation. On her return to America, Susan takes on the task of spreading her new found ... See full summary »

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Anita Loos (screen play), Rachel Crothers (based on the celebrated play by)

Stars:

Joan Crawford, Fredric March, Ruth Hussey

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joan Crawford	...	Susan
Fredric March	...	Barrie
Ruth Hussey	...	Charlotte
John Carroll	...	Clyde
Rita Hayworth	...	Leonora
Nigel Bruce	...	'Hutchie'
Bruce Cabot	...	Michael
Rose Hobart	...	Irene
Constance Collier	...	Lady Wigstaff
Rita Quigley	...	Blossom
Gloria DeHaven	...	Enid
Richard Crane	...	Bob (as Richard O. Crane)
Norma Mitchell	...	Paige
Marjorie Main	...	Mary
Aldrich Bowker	...	Patrick

Storyline

Susan Trexel is a wealthy socialite, who while vacationing in Europe undergoes a religious transformation. On her return to America, Susan takes on the task of spreading her new found religious experience with her closest friends - only to drive them crazy. Meanwhile, her husband Barrie, and daughter Blossom yearn for a stable family life. Barrie will even become sober, hoping that Susan will heed her own advice, and save their marriage and family.

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Plot Keywords:

transformation | socialite | marriage | self absorption | alcoholic | 

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Taglines:

Saint... Or Screwball?

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 June 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Teorias de Susana

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,103,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Loew's

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The play originally opened on 10 April 1937 in Princeton, New Jersey, and moved to New York City, New York on 7 October 1937 where it ran for 288 performances. Gertrude Lawrence played the role of Susan.

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Quotes

Susan Trexel: I'll tell him I don't approve of it in the daytime. All night's long enough for anything on earth.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Joan Crawford (1962)

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Soundtracks

"Happy Birthday To You"
(1893) (uncredited)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Variation in the score when the gift pony is shown and when Susan returns home for the birthday party

User Reviews

A hilarious Joan Crawford performance -- who knew?

Having just watched the amazing A WOMAN'S FACE, ran across this comment thread and I am so glad to see this title has fervent admirers. I am definitely one. Watched it many years ago and was absolutely floored by Joan's performance in this, as atypical for her as A WOMAN'S FACE but in a completely different direction, high comedy. It is one of the all-time greatest comedic performances in my book, and yet remains tragically obscure, in both her and Cukor's filmographies. Of course, it is so over-the-top that it runs the risk of being pigeonholed as just another campy Joan Crawford display, and yet if you cast out your preconceptions about her you will see a multi-layered characterization that is at once absurd yet never condescending, expertly timed delivery that seems totally effortless. I simply cannot wait for a DVD of this!