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:

A SCREENFUL OF FUN! (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

Although all the singing was intended for June Allyson, Dolores Gray performed the title song over the main credits.

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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

Gloria Dell: You know, Kay, my trouble was I couldn't swim home like you. I barely managed to save my honor, such as it is.
Countess de Brion: How?
Gloria Dell: Well, I told him I was a promised to another man, after my divorce was final, of course.
Kay Hilliard: And that stopped him?
Gloria Dell: Well, he's a westerner, ma'am, and they have their code with holsters and women.

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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

Version of Women in New York (1977)

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Soundtracks

Yellow Gold
(uncredited)
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed by Jerry Antes, Joan Collins, Carolyn Jones

User Reviews

Fabulous!

OK. It isn't "The Women" but a very close runner-up. I think the casting for this film was fantastic. June Alyson is good - I do think her character of Kay could have probably been cast better. Also, the daughter is just a little to happy happy in this film...sort of annoying. Unlike "The Women" which is SO fast paced - you almost have to watch it more than once to understand connections. The Opposite Sex delivers the same humor and "venom" as it were between these women in a much slower paced and fashionable way. I think the musical numbers are cute - very 50's. The costumes/gowns are excellent..especially Kay's last gown in the Starlight Room...just fabulous! Of course it's the 50's - color films of the 50's are always great to watch and so vivid! I truly think it is difficult to compare this to The Women. I feel it's not about one being better than the other. They are too different to compare as they both have many advantages and are absolutely delightful.

Hello! Release this on DVD please!!!! Amazon should offer this boxed together with The Women.