Plot Synopsis
Based on the Clare Booth Luce play of the same name, this MGM comedy is justly famous for its all-female cast and deft direction by George Cukor. The plot centers on a group of gossipy high-society women who spend their days at the beauty salon and haunting fashion shows. The sweet, happily wedded Mary Haines (Norma Shearer) finds her marriage in trouble when shopgirl Crystal Allen (Joan Crawford) gets her hooks into Mary's man. Naturally, this situation becomes the hot talk amongst Mary's catty friends, especially the scandalmonger Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell), who has little room to talk -- she finds herself on a train to Reno and headed for divorce right after Mary. But with a bit of guts and daring, Mary snatches her man right back from Crystal's clutches. Snappy, witty dialogue, much of it courtesy of veteran screenwriter Anita Loos, helps send this film's humor over the top. So do the characterizations -- Crawford is as venomous as they come, and this was Russell's first chance to show what she could do as a comedienne. And don't discount Shearer -- her portrayal of good-girl Mary is never overpowered by these two far-flashier roles. The only part of The Women that misses is the fashion-show sequence. It was shot in color -- an innovative idea in its day -- but now both the concept and clothes are dreary and archaic. Do keep an eye on the supporting players, though, especially Mary Boland as the Countess DeLage. The role was based on a cafe society dame of that era, the Countess DiFrasso, who had a wild affair with Gary Cooper; that romance is satirized here.

Host
Ben Schaechter

Meetup
06:15 p.m.

Seating
06:30 p.m.

Screening
07:00 p.m. Tickets are available on MovieTickets.com. This screening is part Clearview Cinemas's "Chelsea Classics" series.

Running time
02 hr. 13 min.

Travel time to venue for discussion
30 mins.

Discussion
09:45 p.m-10:45p.m. @ [t.b.a.].

Reservation
Confirmed by [t.b.a].

Deposit and fees
$05 security deposit+$01 Meetup group maintenance fee+.45 Amazon Payments transaction processing fee.

The Organizer will refund security deposits to attendees via Amazon Payments within 24 hours after the Meetup.

Refund policy
Posted in the pop-up window of the Meetup's page.

Final schedule and details
The Host will e-mail the final schedule and details of the Meetup after 12:00 a.m. on the day of the Meetup.

Waiting list
Respondents should state "waiting list" in their replies if they want spots on the waiting list. The Host may open additional seats and announce their availability to the waiting list based on space available at the venues, demand, the availability of a co-Host and other factors.