Smart Woman (1948)

The last credited screenplay by Alvah Bessie, using his own name, as he was soon to become one of the Hollywood Ten. This one is a 1940s gender-clasher involving a crusading district ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward A. Blatt

Writers:

Leon Gutterman (original story), Edwin V. Westrate (original story),

Stars:

Brian Aherne, Constance Bennett, Barry Sullivan

Cast

Credited cast:
Brian Aherne	...	Robert Larrimore
Constance Bennett	...	Paula Rogers
Barry Sullivan	...	Frank McCoy
Michael O'Shea	...	Johnny Simons
James Gleason	...	Sam Corkle
Otto Kruger	...	D.A. Bradley Wayne
Isobel Elsom	...	Mrs. Rogers
Richard Lyon	...	Rusty Rogers
Selena Royle	...	Mrs. Wayne
Taylor Holmes	...	Dr. Jasper
John Litel	...	Clark
Nita Hunter	...	Patty Wayne
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Netta Packer	...	Undetermined Minor Role (scenes deleted)
Walter Walker	...	Undetermined Minor Role (scenes deleted)

Storyline

The last credited screenplay by Alvah Bessie, using his own name, as he was soon to become one of the Hollywood Ten. This one is a 1940s gender-clasher involving a crusading district attorney, Robert Larrimore, butting heads in court with defense attorney Paula Rogers. They fall in love. But there is a small problem; Paula realizes that she must reveal that her on-trial client, FRank McCoy, is also her former husband...and she fears this may damage her relationship with Larrimore, and her son.

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Plot Keywords:

defense attorney | district attorney | 1940s | doctor | ex husband ex wife relationship | 

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Taglines:

Smart about everything ... except men!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Madame et ses pantins

Company Credits

Production Co:

Constance Bennett Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Falcon Crest: Dark Passion (1987)

User Reviews

Bennett's last starring role

Constance Bennett's career seemed to be on the skids by the 1940s, which saw her appearing in B-movies and supporting roles. By 1948, she was producing her own films (she also produced Paris Underground in 1945). Both of these films are well-made late career entries for a fading star.

In Smart Woman, Bennett is supported by a strong cast, which includes Brian Aherne and Barry Sullivan, plus a host of reliable supporting players such as Otto Kruger (whom I remember as the older man opposite Joan Crawford in Chained) and Selena Royle (also opposite Joan Crawford in Damned Don't Cry).

The script is intelligent if not a roaring success. The chemistry between Bennett and her co-stars does not run particularly hot, but Bennett does get a chance to wear some gorgeous Adrian gowns and prove she is still a good-looking woman at the (then) advanced age of 43. The photography is polished and Bennett seems to be lit and photographed very, very carefully. There are even some noirish camera angles and shadow play. Bennett's performance is strong and does not appear dated with any evidence of her days as a silent film star. Her style seems contemporary, although Bennett is no longer the hypnotic beauty of her precode heyday.

As Bennett's second production effort, it is a solid vehicle for her, and an interesting film overall, but it was just not powerful enough to give her career any boost. After this, it was all supporting roles. But the film can easily be recommended as a glossy, well-made women's picture. If the film had a low budget, it's impossible to tell.