Customer Reviews

The War Between Men & Women [VHS]

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4 star:		(2)
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War Between Men and Women is a warm hearted romantic comedy based on the works of James Thurber. Similar in style to the old tv show, My World and Welcome to It, the film incorporates animated figures representing Thurber's drawings and commentary on the eternal battle of the sexes. Jack Lemmon is perfectly cast as the "man" who hates women, children, and dogs but falls for Barbara Harris, the "woman" who comes bag and baggage with all three. If your a Barbara Harris fan and consequently regret she didn't make more movies, this is the picture that proves she had the talent to be a star. One sour note, this video has been edited for content. Some scenes have "offensive" bits of dialogue bleeped out. In other words brief silence on the soundtrack

Jack Lemmon and Barbara Harris were a perfect match in this classic comedy. The special effects with the cartoon drawings incorporated into the movie were excellent. I first saw this movie when I was a kid and it still makes me laugh.

What most reviewers miss about this romantic comedy is that it's primo for its style -- Good Neighbor Sam, Please Don't Eat the Daisies -- and they decided to spice up the montages by animating Thurber comics (since the central figure is a misanthropic cartoonist who falls in love in spite of himself). It's an old fashioned comedy, funny like they used to be: two dimensional characters, a conflicting love interest (Jason Robards taking a break from O'Neill for a change) interjected to put the heat on and help things come to a boil, and a flock of children each responding to the situation in a different way -- like the second tier comedia del arte characters. Give yourself a break, get a bottle of wine, a pizza, and a friend with a sense of humor and make an evening of it.

This Movie is a superb underrated Comedy/Drama.Lemmon/Harris Rules in this film!!It's a must see!!

Like THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (1947), Melville Shavelson's THE WAR BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN (1972) has an unusual subtext of fantasy. In this romantic comedy based on the writings and cartoons of James Thurber, Jack Lemmon is a cartoon satirist and long-time bachelor with a dislike for women, dogs and especially kids, who turns his world upside down for love.

Peter Wilson's been blind in his right eye since childhood and now his left has developed a sympathetic disease that is likely to leave him sightless. While the good eye is dilated at the opthamologist's office he stumbles into another patient, getting a handhold on her breast to break his fall. An unlikely beginning for what would lead to marriage.

Book publicist Theresa Kozlenko (Barbara Harris) is a divorcée with three kids, so based on Peter's propensities their union seems unlikey, but it happens. Barbara's ex, world famous news photographer Stephen Kozlenko (Jason Robards Jr.), shows up at the Wilsons' backyard wedding and he later becomes an annoying fixture in their home.

When his marriage gets a bit rocky, Peter's resentment toward this perceived rival for Theresa's affections turns to brotherly bonding. They tie a good one on and in an act of rebellion against wifely interference commiserate about this story's so-called war. This introduces an artistic highlight of the film. Peter draws on bare walls outlines in his inimitable style of two women on horses. They come to life and attack him and Stephen. It's women vs. men in an all-out to-the-death struggle that includes bows and arrows, spearguns, bats, biplanes and Moshe Dayan's tank..

The other Thurber moment is far more charming, a gentle scene between Peter and stepdaughter Linda (Lisa Gerritsen). He presents the troubled pre-teen with his latest work and they read it together. Lemmon narrates THE LAST FLOWER, which is magnificently animated, and the best thing in this domestic comedy that's recommended for all James Thurber and/or Jack Lemmon fans.

Cast includes Herb Edelman, Moosie Drier, Severn Darden, Joey Faye, Alan DeWitt, Dr. Joyce Brothers and producer/scripter Danny Arnold. An amusing music score is by Marvin Hamlisch.


(As of 8/10, this movie was not available on DVD.)

I saw this movie back when double features were still in style. With Cabaret and I liked this one much better. And after all these years, at least 35!, I'm buying it. I remember it as being hilarious. It's a Thurber for goodness sakes. How could it not be funny!