Designing Woman (1957)

A sportswriter and a fashion-designer marry after a whirlwind romance, and discover they have little in common.

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

George Wells, Helen Rose (story suggested by)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Lauren Bacall, Dolores Gray

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gregory Peck	...	Mike Hagen
Lauren Bacall	...	Marilla Brown Hagen
Dolores Gray	...	Lori Shannon
Sam Levene	...	Ned Hammerstein
Tom Helmore	...	Zachary Wilde
Mickey Shaughnessy	...	Maxie Stultz
Jesse White	...	Charlie Arneg
Chuck Connors	...	Johnnie 'O'
Edward Platt	...	Martin J. Daylor
Alvy Moore	...	Luke Coslow
Carol Veazie	...	Gwen
Jack Cole	...	Randy Owens

Storyline

When Mike Hagen and Marilla Brown marry after a whirlwind romance on the west coast, they return to New York to find that they don't have much in common. She is a clothing designer who lives in a swanky apartment and whose friends are actors, artists and the like. He is a sports writer who likes to go boxing matches and horse races. They clearly love one another and make every effort to be flexible. When a mobster, whom Mike has been accusing of fixing sports events, decides to go after him he must pretend to be out of town and mayhem ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

boxing match | ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship | singer | husband wife relationship | sports writer | 

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Taglines:

His world is guys and dolls! Her world is gowns and glamor!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Lauren Bacall later starred in the Broadway musical Woman of the Year, which was considered a musicalization of the Hepburn-Tracy movie of the same name. Few seemed to remember that she had starred in this, an apparent remake of that movie, before playing nearly the same role on Broadway.

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Goofs

In his apartment when he answers the phone, the shadow of the boom mic is visible on his jacket.

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Quotes

Marilla Hagen: We never argue anymore. And when we do, it never lasts more than a week or two.

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Crazy Credits

As 'The End' appears on the screen, Maxie Stultz delivers the final line of the movie while punching a 'speed bag' in a boxing gym: "I'm making a comeback, you know?"

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Connections

Featured in American Masters: A Conversation with Gregory Peck (1999)

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Soundtracks

There'll Be Some Changes Made
(uncredited)
Music by W. Benton Overstreet
Lyrics by Billy Higgins

User Reviews

Delightful diversion

It's not exceptionally funny or momentous, just pleasant in the same agreeably polished sort of way the Rock Hudson-Doris Day comedies are. Peck is a New York sports writer who meets Bacall's fashion designer while on leave in California at a posh hotel. They marry on a whim after a brief courtship and soon discover their clashing lifestyles will be a greater problem than they anticipated. Delores Gray plays Peck's old flame who isn't quite ready to fade into the background; Sam Levene and Tom Helmore lend capable support as Peck's editor and Bacall's business partner, respectively. A minor Minnelli production that breaks no new ground, it's a delightful diversion all the same.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

16 May 1957 (Australia)

Also Known As:

La femme modèle

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows - 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1