A Woman of Distinction (1950)

Ice-cold college dean Susan Middlecott feels there's no room in her life for romance. Enter Prof. Alec Stevenson, British lecturer on astronomy, touring North America and in possession of a... See full summary »

Director:

Edward Buzzell

Writers:

Charles Hoffman (screen play), Frank Tashlin (additional dialogue),

Stars:

Rosalind Russell, Ray Milland, Edmund Gwenn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rosalind Russell	...	Susan Manning Middlecott
Ray Milland	...	Prof. Alexander 'Alec' Stevenson
Edmund Gwenn	...	Mark 'J.M.' Middlecott
Janis Carter	...	Teddy Evans
Mary Jane Saunders	...	Louisa Middlecott
Francis Lederer	...	Prof. Paul Simone
Jerome Courtland	...	Jerome

Storyline

Ice-cold college dean Susan Middlecott feels there's no room in her life for romance. Enter Prof. Alec Stevenson, British lecturer on astronomy, touring North America and in possession of a keepsake of Susan's he wants to return. Desperate for publicity, lecture bureau press agent Teddy Evans magnifies this into a great romance. The efforts of both dignified principals to quash the story have the opposite effect; matters get more and more involved...

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Plot Keywords:

college | female executive

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Männerfeindin

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on October 23, 1950 with Rosalind Russell reprising her film role.

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Quotes

Prof. Alec Stevenson: You are the coldest woman I've ever met in my life! Miss Middlecott, I made a sad mistake when I brought you that locket. What I should have brought you is a suit of long woolen underwear.

User Reviews

A bit heavy on the slapstick, but lots of good fun

A Woman of Distinction (1950) is a quirky romcom that is heavier on the comedy due to Rosalind Russell's willingness to throw herself out there for her audience. The "meet cute" between Russell and the still dashing and debonair Ray Milland is thwarted by their instant dislike and impatience with one another. She has an important job as the dean of a college. He is a lecturer on tour who happens to get mixed up with Russell and ultimately causes her job to be in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Edmund Gwenn, in a delightful role as Russell's father, plays matchmaker, thus making it harder to easily iron out the plot twists that intertwine the two main characters causing problems at every turn.

Russell rivals Luculle Ball in what she'll do for a laugh. It works and this is a cute movie that is pure escapist pleasure. It's not one of my very favorites, but I enjoy it enough to watch it whenever it comes on TCM.