Sunday, 3 August 2025

THE OPPOSITE SEX


 OK, so it's not "The Women" and David Miller is no George Cukor but this 1956 musical remake has a cracker cast, is in Cinemascope and color and retains enough bitchy dialogue to make it something of a treat albeit a minor one. In their own way even the musical numbers are above average but it's that cast, (June Allyson, Joan Collins, Ann Sheridan, Dolores Gray, Ann Miller, Joan Blondell, Agnes Moorehead), that makes it so enjoyable.

Since the title is "The Opposite Sex" this version's got men, in this case Leslie Nielsen, Jeff Richards, Sam Levene, Alan Marshall and Dick Shawn amongst others and while not really necessary, (Cukor managed without them), are not unwelcome even if none of them can compete with the dames.

Allyson is a lot tougher than Norma Shearer was though poor Joan Collins is no match for Crawford but Dolores Gray makes for a perfect bitch and Ann Sheridan steals her scenes as the tough-talking broad who sticks by her friend. At best it's entertaining froth and very watchable but the original is the Real McCoy.

THE OPPOSITE SEX

 OK, so it's not "The Women" and David Miller is no George Cukor but this 1956 musical remake has a cracker cast, is in Cinema...