The Opposite Sex (1956)

Shortly after their tenth wedding anniversary, New York theater producer Steven Hilliard and his wife, former popular radio singer Kay Hilliard née Ashley, are getting a Kay-initiated Reno ... See full summary »

Director:

David Miller

Writers:

Fay Kanin (screenplay), Michael Kanin (screenplay)

Stars:

June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
June Allyson	...	Kay Ashley Hilliard
Joan Collins	...	Crystal Allen
Dolores Gray	...	Sylvia Fowler
Ann Sheridan	...	Amanda Penrose
Ann Miller	...	Gloria Dahl
Leslie Nielsen	...	Steve Hilliard
Jeff Richards	...	Buck Winston
Agnes Moorehead	...	Countess de Brion
Charlotte Greenwood	...	Lucy
Joan Blondell	...	Edith Potter
Sam Levene	...	Mike Pearl
Bill Goodwin	...	Howard Fowler
Alice Pearce	...	Olga
Barbara Jo Allen	...	Dolly DeHaven
Sandy Descher	...	Debbie Hilliard

Storyline

Shortly after their tenth wedding anniversary, New York theater producer Steven Hilliard and his wife, former popular radio singer Kay Hilliard née Ashley, are getting a Kay-initiated Reno divorce after Kay finds out about a marital indiscretion he had with Crystal Allen, a gold digging chorus girl in one of his shows. News of the indiscretion made its way to Kay indirectly by her catty friend, Sylvia Fowler. In Kay getting the divorce, Kay's best friend, playwright Amanda Penrose believes Kay is playing right into the wants of Crystal, whose main goal is not to be happily married to Steven, but to get what such a marriage can bring to her in material wealth and comfort. Amanda does not believe Steven loves Crystal and that he still really does love Kay. And Kay does proceed with the divorce despite believing theirs was a happy and loving marriage before she learned of the indiscretion, and despite having an adolescent daughter, Debbie, to consider. But when Kay learns some ...

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Plot Keywords:

chorus line | stage show | reno nevada | remake | based on play | 

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Taglines:

M-G-M's FUN-FILLED GIRLIE SHOW -- WITH MUSIC! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1957 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

El sexo opuesto

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,834,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,016,800

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Perspecta Stereo (as Perspecta Sound) 4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jim Backus, who performs as the psychiatrist in the musical number with Dick Shawn, was also the voice of Mr. Magoo -even using his Mr. Magoo voice on the line: "All this when were ten or under?" Years later, Leslie Nieisen, who plays husband of Allyson would play Mr. Magoo in alive action version of the Mr. Magoo cartoons.

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Goofs

At the end of the "Yellow Gold" musical number, two chorus boys leap up onto the banana trees for their final pose. Just as the curtain is closing, you can see the stage-left dancer slip from his position and slide down the tree.

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Quotes

Kay Hilliard: Oh! Now you be careful, Buck. No! Really, Buck.
Buck Winston: You don't have to worry, ma'am. This canoe's as safe as a cradle.
Kay Hilliard: Yes, I know, but you're not!

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits: Manhattan Island ... A body of land consisting of four million square males-completely surrounded by women.

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Connections

Referenced in What's My Line?: Sal Maglie & Ann Miller (1956)

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Soundtracks

The Opposite Sex
(uncredited)
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed over the opening credits by Dolores Gray
Performed during "The Psychiatrist" musical sketch with Dick Shawn, Jim Backus,
Joan Collins and Carolyn Jones

User Reviews

Not as bad as many have claimed.

I have to say I am baffled by the trashing of this film. Are we watching the same movie? I have watched both The Women and The Opposite Sex, all within the span of a week on Turner Classic and though the Women was cleverer, The Opposite Sex was not really in the "Chopped Liver" category either.

Yes, it's true. Given a choice, I would rather watch The Women too.

But the Opposite Sex has adequate acting, women in gorgeous gowns and sticks quite faithfully to the original story-line whereby the 1st Wife gets her revenge against the 2nd wife. Who doesn't love the lucked-out-housewife-wins-the-day-story-line? I know I do.

And I do enjoy looking at Jeff Richards as the hunky singing cowboy, Buck.

If you have the time, why not check it out yourself.