Customer Reviews

When Ladies Meet (1941)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"When Ladies Meet" is a unique viewing experience on a number of different levels. The first being that it has preserved on film the passing of the MGM mantle from 1930's movie queen Joan Crawford to that of rising 1940's successor Greer Garson and secondly shows one of the few times in this period of film making where two top female stars are teamed together. The combination of Joan Crawford and Greer Garson is an arresting one and the real chemistry between them makes for great viewing in this remake of the 1933 film of the same title which starred Myrna Loy and Anne Harding.

Despite this film coming near the end of Joan Crawford's celebrated career at MGM she does very well in her performance and hold her own against the new sensation of Greer Garson with her very different acting style. Based on a play by Rachel Crothers and boasting a screenplay partly written by Anita Loos, "When Ladies Meet" is often too easily dismissed as a "woman's magazine type story' when in actual fact that is an unfair judgement for a film put together with great care and integrity. Certainly the screen play is on the wordy side but what it talks about in regard to personal pride and believing in one's own personal worth is just a valid today as it was back in 1941.

The story tells of Mary Howard (Crawford) who is a successful novelist with very advanced views (for 1941), on love, marriage and personal relationships. She has found herself in the dilemma of loving her publisher Rogers Woodruff (Herbert Marshall in another stiff performance)who of course is married already to Clare (Greer Garson) Joan herself is being pursued by Jimmy Lee (Robert Taylor in a standout comedy performance) who she puts up with because of his comic easygoing manner. Jimmy decides to throw the two women, who are unknown to each other, together in the hope that Mary will see the situation is a hopeless one with a man who will always remain married, hence the title , "When Ladies Meet". What develops when the two do meet at the home of Bridget (Spring Byington in another delightfully scatty performance) is that both like and admire the other for the qualities they possess and begine to realise that Rogers is someone who will never change.. a situation Mary in particular could never gracefully accept as Clare has over the years. Realising this Mary finally sees the real value in Jimmy and decides that that is where a future for herself does exist.

What makes "When Ladies Meet' special viewing are the standout performances by the leads. Joan Crawford, although never pleased with this film in her memoirs, I feel is believably straitforward and endearing as the sophisticated Mary. Greer Garson, playing against the more experienced Crawford brings a lovely innocently confident quality to her playing of Clare, the understanding wife who learns to not settle for second best. Crawford and Garson work really well in their scenes together and are offset beautifully by Robert Taylor in what I believe is one of his finest performances as the comic Jimmy who is prepared to do anything to win Mary's love. Taylor played many insipid roles in his early career but here he reveals a new maturity to his performing no doubt spurred on by his triumph in the classic "Waterloo Bridge" the year before. Herbert Marshall, an actor I always find uninteresting and wooden is confidently assured in his playing of Rogers, the man in the middle of these two very different women but how either could want him over the attractive JImmy is a mystery to me. Spring Byington rounds out the cast in an hilarious performance as mutual friend Bridget at who's weekend home all the action unfolds. Played by Alice Brady in the origianl 1933 film, Byington is a delight here with her foolish prattle and scatterbrain interfering. She was a most capable actress who knew her range and excelled in what she did best in film after film, moving into television in the 1950's for a whole new career of stardom.

Directed with a sure if unspectacular hand by veteran MGM man Robert Z. Leonard who guided Joan Crawford through a number of films in the 30's, the film benefits from the MGM gloss and attention to detail. Adrian's creations for both of the female leads are stunning and it was a vechicle definately well timed for both ladies, Joan Crawford on her way out of her long term contract with MGM having a last stab at a meaty part, and Greer Garson the new sensation having the opportunity to work beside a MGM legend to great effect with her greatest triumph in
"Mrs. Miniver" less than 12 months off in the future.

"When Ladies Meet' is an entertaining film to watch and if you like MGM starpower of the old school this is a film not to be missed. The sexual politics of the script may appear dated by today's standards but as a reflection of the times the story is a most enjoyable one. Crawford and Garson fans like myself wont want to miss this encounter of two of MGM's biggest female stars and the sparks will fly when these two ladies meet! Enjoy

While "WHEN LADIES MEET" gave top biling to Joan Crawford and Robert Taylor, I was captured mostly by third-billed Greer Garson's performance. Robert Taylor gives a good, but mild comedic performance in the Melvyn Douglas mold. Joan Crawford's last great MGM role, "A Woman's Face," was made just prior to this film, and "When Ladies Meet" marked the beginning of her decline at MGM, the first of three "oh, Joan can make it work" films in which anyone could have starred. That's why Louis B. Mayer's new protege, Greer Garson, walked away with this film, which contributed to her becoming the top box-office draw of the 1940's. Greer Garson was a wonderful dramatic actress from the theatre, and after the continental works of "Goodbye Mr. Chips" and "Pride And Prejudice," this film gave audiences a good chance to see the lighter side of Garson's talents. This comedy gave balance to her list of films, and she would win the Academy award for Best Actress the next year for the WWII drama, "MRS. MINIVER," which also won for Best Picture.

The plot is a twist on the drawing-room love-triangle premise, only with 4 people instead of 3. Robert Taylor has a thing for author Joan Crawford. Crawford has a thing for publisher Herbert Marshall. Marshall has a thing for both Crawford and wife Greer Garson. When invited to Crawford's country house to work on business, Marshall is torn. Meanwhile, Garson gets tangled up platonically with suave Taylor. She agrees to help make his "girl" jealous, and she rides with him to Crawford's house. Unaware husband Marshall was around and will return, Garson is charmingly and ridiculously hilarious in full British accent, cooing, "Come on, Jimmy-dimmy," into Taylor's ear for Crawford's benefit. Garson not only resembles, but also sounds like Stefanie Powers in the TV series "Hart To Hart," cooing to Robert Wagner. Eventually Marshall returns, a storm brews, the lights go out, and, yes, you guessed it, by morning everything is resolved for all. To find out who winds up with whom, watch the video! This is what happens "WHEN LADIES MEET."

"When Ladies Meet" is one of Joan's better pictures later into her MGM career. Although it has somewhat of a similar plot to "The Woman" (if you're a Joan Crawford fan I don't need to tell you that she loved making several movies with the same themes) it also stands alone and is able to capture the viewer while carving out its own identity.

Unfortunately the film did poorly at the box office and Joan who was always a consummate perfectionist was never happy with "When Ladies Meet". This DVD is a no-frills, straight-transfer that Warner Bros. released this year under their "Archive Collection" branding. However, you can also find it on TCM as it's shown at least a few times a year. And there also is a VHS, as well. (By the way, I included a list on this page of all of the recent Joan Crawford DVDs that Warner Bros. put out this year, with links on where you can find them for less than these overpriced sellers.)

In this picture Joan plays Minnie, a writer who is caught between a rock and a hard place. During a chance meeting she is stuck with her lover's wife and the 2 women bond. I enjoyed Joan in this film very much because she looked stunning and gave such a fantastic performance that was both creative and real. This viewer really got the feeling that she was an accomplished writer, and for an actress that played everything from a cowgirl to a hooker I can't imagine it was easy to constantly keep reinventing herself like that.

once again, matlin's review is being unfair to this movie, it's a very nice movie to watch, it's funny at times, it's moving and it's got Greer Garson and Joan Crawford. I've seen it, it's part of my collection because i'm an admirer of both actresses but i think everyone would enjoy this one.

This film details the events of a severely mixed up affair. Joan Crawford plays Mary, a writer who falls in love with her publisher (Herbert Marshall), about whom her book is based. However, he is married to Claire (Greer Garson), a beautiful but heartbroken companion. Jimmy (Robert Taylor) is in love with Mary but she will only be his friend, who happens to kiss her occasionally. Jimmy plans a dastardly trick to bring everyone together at once to sort things out, hoping for a happy ending for himself.

The cast works very well together and makes for a delightful film. Crawford is appropriately torn between a passionate love affair, her book, and a great friend that loves her. Taylor is very different than in other films; his character is jovial and intelligent, a joy to watch. Garson is beautiful and effectively emotional in her scenes in a supporting role. Marshall is emotionless and stiff, but this portrayal makes his character fit better into the love triangle.

Overall, this is a great film to watch. You'll find yourself laughing, crying, and enjoying it a great deal.

Please if you want this and other rare Joan titles under blue Warner Bros. cover you can pay 19.95 for them on Warner website. these sellers are making too large a profit selling them at double the price.

When Ladies Meet has always been one of my most enjoyed movies. The service is receiving the dvd was excellent. The print is quite acceptable although not quite as as clear as one would have hoped for being only marginally better than that shown on TCM. However, this does not diminsh the enjoyment of seeing both Joan and Greer together. Ray Fogarty. Sydney. Australia.

They took a typical screwball comedy from the early 30s, dusted it off, dressed it up in the latest 1941 styles, and made a rather amusing movie. As always, everyone is rich and living in high style in NYC apartments that even millionaires would have trouble renting. Joan Crawford has a townhouse on the Upper Eastside where the backyard faces the 59th Street Bridge. I guess they removed the FDR Drive. It even has a tree and enough flowers to fill a florist shop. Her enormous living room is on the second floor, complete with balcony. Her friends just walk in without ringing the bell because the door is always open, apparently. Joan is sporting a signature upswept hairdo that is a work of sculpture, engineering and netting. Must have taken hours. She's infatuated with a married man, Herbert Marshall, her new publisher, who is "helping" her finish her latest book. She's no longer infatuated with Robert Taylor, who is playing her old screwball boyfriend. Everyone is being terribly clever, modern and willful, typical of Hollywood's impression of "high society." Spring Byington is Joan's somewhat dated girlfriend, still wearing some frills from the 30s. No matter what she says, she puts her foot in it and then gets flustered trying to get it out again. She made a whole career out of such roles. She's quite proper but for some reason her boyfriend is often found sleeping under the same roof, presumably in a separate bedroom. Spring has a gigantic apartment in Manhattan where she gives book signing parties for Joan and a country house made from a converted barn, complete with swimming pond, water wheel and sunken living room. They went wild with these sets! But THE fashion smash of 1941 is Greer Garson, wearing backless gowns, capes, and a tailored spring outfit where the coat, jacket and skirt all match in geometric stripes. She looks stunning in every scene and her personality is delightful. The plot of this movie is a bit off the wall, but it doesn't matter. What you're really watching is Hollywood putting on a show of how America should LOOK in the moderne 1940s, using a play from the dumpy 1930s. And for that alone, it's fun!

In this picture, Joan plays an accomplished writer who is having an affair with a married man. It gets especially hairy when she befriends her lover's wife, thus the title, "When Ladies Meet" is born.

This movie could have been a lot better. If Clark Gable would have been up against Joan, playing Robert Taylor's part it would have been perfect. Unfortunately, this movie is far from perfect. By the way, doesn't Robert Taylor look just like Zachary Scott?

This wasn't all bad, though. Joan looked amazing. I believe this was her first movie in which she had her "Mildred Pierce" look (hair tightly pulled back with those huge bangs.)

As is par for most of the movies Joan made later into her MGM career, this one lacks substance and is difficult to drew the viewer in. The supporting cast was simply horrid. To say that Joan carried this entire picture would be the understatement of the century. The movie ended rather predictably, too. After watching the first 10 minutes would anyone with connected brain-cells have predicted anything else?

An enjoyable drawing-room comedy coupled with an interesting cast and a typically glossy grade "A" M-G-M production make for a fun 105 minutes. Crawford plays a novelist who's also involved in a women's liberation movement (this is back in 1941!) who takes a shine to her publisher (Herbert Marshall). Taylor, who truly loves her is caught in the middle. When Joan finally meets Marshall's wife, she's quite impressed & is confidentially informed by the gracious Garson that Marshall is indeed a notorious philanderer (to put it politely): Crawford finds true love with Mr. Robert Taylor...The witty exchanges & interaction between Garson - who was soon to replace Joan as M-G-M's First Lady - and Crawford are fascinating, and Taylor surprisingly shows a fine flair for comedy. Although this 1941 re-make somewhat pales in areas when compared to the 1933 original version (I caught it on late night TV) - which starred Ann Harding, Myrna Loy and Robert Montgomery & Alice Brady (the latter stole the show) - it's got enough going for it, artificial though it may be.