The Weaker Sex

For other uses, see The Weaker Sex (disambiguation).
The Weaker Sex
Directed by Roy Ward Baker
Produced by Paul Soskin
Written by Esther McCracken
Paul Soskin
Val Valentine (additional scenes)
Based on the play No Medals by Esther McCracken
Starring Ursula Jeans
Cecil Parker
Joan Hopkins
Music by Arthur Wilkinson
Cinematography Erwin Hillier
Edited by Michael C. Chorlton (as Michael Chorlton)
Joseph Sterling
Production
company
Distributed by General Film Distributors (UK)
Release dates
22 September 1948 (London) (UK)
Running time
84 min.
Country United Kingdom
Language English

The Weaker Sex is a 1948 British drama film directed by Roy Ward Baker.[1]

It was one of the most popular movies at the British box office in 1948.[2]

The film's title is ironic,[3] its subject being what The New York Times described as the "heroics of that valiant legion of women who stood, but did not wait, through the long war years and the now dreary post war years." [4]

Plot

Life on the British home front during World War II. Widowed Martha Dacre tries to keep house and home together during the run up to the D-Day landings. With lodgers to contend with, two daughters, and her son away in the Navy, she has chosen to stay at home as a housewife. But when her son's ship is damaged during the landings, she experiences regrets about not taking a more active role in the war.

Cast

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote, "a thoroughly professional cast and an adult script make the drama genuine and trenchant. Ursula Jeans is excellent as the beleaguered mother who minimizes her work and sacrifices by remarking "one is given no choice — just a little extra strength from somewhere." Cecil Parker is equally adept in his restrained portrayal of the commander she eventually marries. A lady exotically named Thora Hird contributes a superbly droll bit as a Yorkshire servant and Joan Hopkins, Lana Morris, Digby Wolfe, Derek Bond and John Stone add solid characterizations as the children and sons-in-law" ;[5] and Sky Movies wrote, "the best reviews of the period were saved for Thora Hird as Mrs Gage, the 'daily' with a dry sense of humour", and concluded, "good, solid drama told convincingly – if a trifle over-sentimental today." [6]

References


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 6/5/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.