Movie-A-Day #67: The Women (1939).

March 8 is International Women’s Day, celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of women all over the world. And if ever there was a women’s movie, of course it’s “The Women.” Sure, this dissection of women’s friendships, jealousies and romantic struggles was directed by George Cukor (who was considered a “women’s director” anyway for being gay and making movies that today would be known as “chick flicks”) but everyone else involved was a woman. It was written by Anita Loos and Jane Murfin (based on a Clare Boothe Luce play) and features a huge ensemble cast, including Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalyn Russell and Paulette Goddard. And everyone who appears on screen – from the principal cast to the extras, right down to the animals and the figures in the artwork of the set design – is female. It’s one great big girls’ night out.