The Lady Says No (1951)

A woman writes a best-selling book for women warning them about the "dangers" of men. A handsome photographer for a national magazine arrives in her town to do a feature story on her. Complications ensue.

Director:

Frank Ross

Writer:

Robert Russell

Stars:

Joan Caulfield, David Niven, James Robertson Justice

Cast

Credited cast:
Joan Caulfield	...	Dorinda Hatch
David Niven	...	Bill Shelby
James Robertson Justice	...	Matthew Hatch
Lenore Lonergan	...	Goldie
Frances Bavier	...	Aunt Alice Hatch
Peggy Maley	...	Midge
Henry Jones	...	Potsy
Jeff York	...	Goose
George Davis	...	Warf Rat Bartender
Robert Williams	...	General Schofield
Mary Lawrence	...	Mary
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eddie Parker	...	Nightclub brawler

Storyline

A woman writes a best-selling book for women warning them about the "dangers" of men. A handsome photographer for a national magazine arrives in her town to do a feature story on her. Complications ensue.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | dream sequence | jazz band | author | barroom brawl | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bruden sa' nej

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ross-Stillman Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min 82 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"The Lady Says No"
Music by Emil Newman and Herbert W. Spencer
Lyrics by Mel Leven

User Reviews

Courtship Antics Go Only One Way

The Lady Says No casts Joan Caulfield in a part that Katharine Hepburn would have taken one look at and rejected out of hand. Caulfield plays an early advocate of women's liberation and who authors a book where she tells her female readers many different ways to say 'no' to a man and make it stick. The woman is in some real danger of having that work all too well for her readers and herself.

David Niven plays a Life Magazine photographer who's been all around the world and sampled females from many walks of life. He's assigned to do a feature photo story on Caulfield and the two of them start their antics of courtship which you know will only end one way. Back in 1951 it could only end one way with the Code in place.

Speaking of the Code, this independent United Artist Release is the only kind of film the Breen Office might have been sloppy with the censoring. Otherwise no way a line like "with my trusty female native guide, I thrust myself into the interior of Borneo" could have made the cut. It was the biggest laugh in the film for me.

David Niven could barely summon enough interest to be vaguely charming in this film. The Lady Says No was produced and for one time only directed by Frank Ross for his wife Joan Caulfield. Maybe the film might have rated a bit higher had a comedy specialist like Mitchell Leisen or George Marshall did the directing.

In any event it's a dud and a waste of a talented cast.