''The Women'' is a 1936 American play, a

comedy of manners In English literature, the term comedy of manners (also anti-sentimental comedy) describes a genre of realistic, satirical comedy of the Restoration period (1660–1710) that questions and comments upon the manners and social conventions of a gre ...

Clare Boothe Luce Clare Boothe Luce ( Ann Clare Boothe; March 10, 1903 – October 9, 1987) was an American writer, politician, U.S. ambassador, and public conservative figure. A versatile author, she is best known for her 1936 hit play '' The Women'', which h ...

. The cast includes women only. The original

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

production, directed by Robert B. Sinclair, opened on December 26, 1936, at the

Ethel Barrymore Theatre The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is a Broadway theater at 241 West 47th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1928, it was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in the Elizabethan, Mediterranean, and Adam styles ...

, where it ran for 657 performances with an all-female cast that included

Margalo Gillmore Margaret Lorraine "Margalo" Gillmore (31 May 1897 – 30 June 1986) was an English-born American actress who had a long career as a stage actress on Broadway. She also appeared in films and TV series, mostly in the 1950s and early 1960s. Family ...

Ilka Chase Ilka Chase (April 8, 1905 – February 15, 1978) was an American actress, radio host, and novelist. Biography Born in New York City and educated at convent and boarding schools in the United States, England, and France, Chase was the only child ...

Betty Lawford Betty Lawford (February 1, 1912 – November 20, 1960) was a United States-based English film and stage actress. Her parents, Ernest Lawford and Janet Slater Lawford, were also actors, and she was a cousin of the actor and socialite Peter Lawfo ...

Jessie Busley Jessie Busley (1869 – 1950) was an American actress and comedian who performed on stage, screen, and radio for over six decades. Career Jessie starred on stage in over 25 Charles Frohman productions in the first 15 years of her career. ...

Phyllis Povah Phyllis Povah (July 21, 1893 – August 7, 1975) was an American stage and film actress. Career Povah made her Broadway theatre debut in ''Mr. Pim Passes By'' in 1921 and acted in minor roles in several productions over the next two decades a ...

Marjorie Main Mary Tomlinson (February 24, 1890 – April 10, 1975), professionally known as Marjorie Main, was an American character actress and singer of the Classical Hollywood period, best known as a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract player in the 1940s and ...

, and

Arlene Francis Arlene Francis (born Arline Francis Kazanjian; October 20, 1907 – May 31, 2001) was an American actress, radio and television talk show host, and game show panelist. She is known for her long-running role as a panelist on the television game s ...

Synopsis

The play is a commentary on the pampered lives and power struggles of various wealthy

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

socialites A socialite is a person from a wealthy and (possibly) aristocratic background, who is prominent in high society. A socialite generally spends a significant amount of time attending various fashionable social gatherings, instead of having traditio ...

and up-and-coming women and the

gossip Gossip is idle talk or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others; the act is also known as dishing or tattling. Gossip is a topic of research in evolutionary psychology, which has found gossip to be an important means ...

that propels and damages their relationships. While men frequently are the subject of their lively discussions and drive the action on-stage, they are never seen or heard.

Production

Following a premiere December 7, 1936, at the

Forrest Theatre The Forrest Theatre is a live theatre venue at 1114 Walnut Street Center City area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has a seating capacity of 1,851 and is managed by The Shubert Organization.

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

, ''The Women'' opened December 26, 1936, at the

in New York City. Produced by Max Gordon, the original

Broadway theatre Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...

production was directed by Robert B. Sinclair with settings by

Jo Mielziner Joseph "Jo" Mielziner (March 19, 1901 – March 15, 1976) was an American theatrical scenic, and lighting designer born in Paris, France. He was described as "the most successful set designer of the Golden era of Broadway", and worked on both sta ...

and costumes by John Hambleton. The play was revived on Broadway in 1973 at the

46th Street Theatre The Richard Rodgers Theatre (formerly Chanin's 46th Street Theatre and the 46th Street Theatre) is a Broadway theater at 226 West 46th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1925, it was designed by Her ...

, running April 25-June 17, with 63 performances. It was directed by Morton Da Costa, with scenic design by Oliver Smith, costume design by

Ann Roth Ann Bishop Roth (born October 30, 1931) is an American costume designer. She has designed the costumes of various prominent films, and has been nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, winning twice for; ''The English Pa ...

, and lighting design by John Gleason. Other supporting staff included: production stage manager Victor Straus; stage managers Nick Malekos and Suzanne Egan; costume supervisor Ray Diffen; press representatives Shirley Herz and Stuart Fink. A second revival opened November 8, 2001, at the

American Airlines Theatre The American Airlines Theatre, originally the Selwyn Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 227 West 42nd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Built in 1918, it was designed by George Keister and developed by brothe ...

and closed January 13, 2002, after a 77 performances. Production staff included: Directo
Scott Elliott
with assisting direction by Marie Masters; production stage manager Peter Hanson; stage manager Valerie A. Peterson; scenic designer

Derek McLane Derek McLane (born June 14, 1958, in London, England) is an American set designer for theatre, opera, and television. He graduated with a BA from Harvard College and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. Career McLane has designed more than 350 pr ...

; costume designer

Isaac Mizrahi Isaac Mizrahi (born October 14, 1961) is an American fashion designer, television presenter and chief designer of the Isaac Mizrahi brand for Xcel Brands. Based in New York City, he is best known for his eponymous fashion lines. Mizrahi was prev ...

; lighting designer

Brian MacDevitt Brian MacDevitt is a lighting designer and educator. He has worked extensively on Broadway and Off Broadway, as well as touring, Regional theatre, and Industrial productions. He won the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design for his work on the 200 ...

; and sound designer

Douglas J. Cuomo Douglas J. Cuomo (born February 13, 1958) is an American television composer. Biography Born in Tucson, Arizona, raised in the San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco ...

. Jeff Francis did hair design, and Gary Arave designed the wigs.

Cast

1936 Original Broadway

Charita Bauer Charita Bauer (December 20, 1923 – February 28, 1985) was an American soap opera radio and television actress. Born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 20, 1923, she began her career at the age of eight as a model for clothing ads. Her talent ...

– Little Mary * Eloise Bennett – Euphie * Eileen Burns – Miss Fordyce *

– Mrs. Morehead * Mary Cecil – Maggie *

– Sylvia (''Mrs. Howard Fowler'') * Virgilia Chew – Miss Watts *

Audrey Christie Audrey Christie (June 27, 1912 – December 19, 1989) was an American actress, singer and dancer. Early life and family She was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles Christie and Florence Ferguson. She attended a fine arts school in Chicago, ...

– Miriam Aarons * Beatrice Cole – Second Model * Doris Day (not the movie star) – First Saleswoman * Margaret Douglas – Countess de Lave * Lucille Fenton – Head Saleswoman / A Nurse *

– Princess Tamara / Helene *

– Mary (''Mrs. Stephen Haines'') * Ruth Hammond – Olga *

Joy Hathaway Joy Hathaway (born Joy Meeker; ? – November 4, 1954) was a Canadian-born American actress on stage, old-time radio, and television. Early years The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Meeker, Hathaway was from Vancouver, British Columbia. She was ...

– A Fitter * Anne Hunter – Exercise Intstrucetress *

Ethel Jackson Ethel Jackson (November 1, 1877 – November 23, 1957) was a United States actress and comic prima donna"Ethel Jackson Married", ''The New York Times'', February 4, 1902, p. 2. of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She appeared in Broadway ...

– Mrs. Wagstaff *

– Crystal Allen *

– Lucy *

Adrienne Marden Adrienne Marden (born Mabel Adrienne Baruch, September 2, 1909 – November 9, 1978) was an American film and television actress. Early years Marden was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Lenore (Stein) and Ralph Baruch. Marden attended th ...

– Peggy (''Mrs. John Day'') * Jane Moore – Second Hairdresser * Mary Murray – Miss Trimmerback * Lillian Norton – Cigarette Girl *

– Edith (''Mrs. Phelps Potter'') * Jean Rodney – Second Saleswoman *

Jane Seymour Jane Seymour (c. 150824 October 1537) was List of English consorts, Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII of England from their Wives of Henry VIII, marriage on 30 May 1536 until her death the next year. She became queen followi ...

– Nancy Blake * Mary Stuart – First Hairdresser * Ann Teeman – Jane * Martina Thomas – Third Saleswoman *

Beryl Wallace Beryl Wallace (born Beatrice Heischuber, September 29, 1912 – June 17, 1948) was an American singer, dancer and actress. Biography Wallace was born in Brooklyn, New York, the second of nine children of working class Jewish immigrants from ...

– First Model * Ann Watson – Pedicurist *

Marjorie Wood Marjorie Wood (5 September 1882 – 9 November 1955) was a British-born American actress on stage and in film. Early life Marjorie Wood was born in Dublin (some sources give her birthplace as London ) on 5 September 1882. Career Wood's stage ...

– Sadie

1973 Revival

Camila Ashland Camila Ashland (March 24, 1911 – September 12, 2008) was an American actress, best known for her role in '' V'' and ''V The Final Battle''. Also as Minnie Du Val in ''Dark Shadows''. Ashland was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured ...

– Mrs. Wagstaff / Sadie * Caryll Coan – Pedicurist / First Girl / Helene / Girl in Distress *

Leora Dana Leora Dana (April 1, 1923 – December 13, 1983) was an American film, stage and television actress. Education Dana was born in New York City and her elder sister was Doris Dana. Dana graduated from Barnard College and the Royal Academy of Dram ...

– A Fitter / Miss Watts / Second Woman * Jeanne DeBaer – Shirley / Princess Tamara / First Girl *

Doris Dowling Doris Dowling (May 15, 1923 – June 18, 2004) was an American actress of film, stage and television. Best known for the films '' The Crimson Key'' (1946) and ''Bitter Rice'' (1949). Also known for playing Irene Adams on ''My Living Doll'' (19 ...

– A Nurse *

Rhonda Fleming Rhonda Fleming (born Marilyn Louis; August 10, 1923 – October 14, 2020) was an American film and television actress and singer. She acted in more than 40 films, mostly in the 1940s and 1950s, and became renowned as one of the most glamoro ...

– Miriam Aaron *

Dorothy Loudon Dorothy Loudon (September 17, 1925 – November 15, 2003) was an American actress and singer. She won the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical in 1977 for her performance as Miss Hannigan in ''Annie''. Loudon was also nominated for To ...

– Edith (''Mrs. Phelps Potter'') * Connie Forslund – Second Girl / Mat Girl/ Debutante * Marian Hailey – Peggy (''Mrs. John Day'') *

Kim Hunter Kim Hunter (born Janet Cole; November 11, 1922 – September 11, 2002) was an American theatre, film, and television actress. She achieved prominence for portraying Stella Kowalski in the original production of Tennessee Williams' ''A Streetcar N ...

– Mary (''Mrs. Stephen Haines'') *

Bobo Lewis Barbara "Bobo" Lewis (May 14, 1926 – November 6, 1998) was an American comedic actress of film, musical theatre, stage and television. Born in Miami, Florida, Lewis studied acting and won a Drama Desk Award in 1978 for portraying a teacher ...

– Olga / Dowager * Cynthia Lister – Little Mary *

Myrna Loy Myrna Loy (born Myrna Adele Williams; August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American film, television and stage actress. Trained as a dancer, Loy devoted herself fully to an acting career following a few minor roles in silent films. ...

– Mrs. Morehead *

Jan Miner Jan Miner (October 15, 1917 – February 15, 2004) was an American actress best known for her role as the character "Madge", the manicurist in Palmolive dish-washing detergent television commercials beginning in the 1960s. Biography Early life ...

– Countess de Lage * Elizabeth Perry – Customer / Miss Trimmerback / Second Girl / Third Model * Regina Ress – Jane *

Polly Rowles Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Rowles (January 10, 1914 – October 7, 2001 in Concord, New Hampshire) was an American actress. Early years Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rowles was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph T. Rowles. Her father was a s ...

– Miss Curtis / Lucy *

Louise Shaffer Louise Shaffer (born July 5, 1942) is an American actress, script writer, and author. Biography Shaffer was born in Woodbridge, Connecticut, where she showed an interest in acting early on in her life. After finishing high school, she attended ...

– Second Hairdresser / Second Model / Cigarette Girl *

Alexis Smith Margaret Alexis Fitzsimmons-Smith (June 8, 1921 – June 9, 1993) was a Canadian-born American actress and singer. She appeared in several major Hollywood films in the 1940s and had a notable career on Broadway in the 1970s, winning a Tony Awar ...

– Sylvia (''Mrs. Howard Fowler'') * Lynne Stuart – Mudmask / First Model * Claudette Sutherland – First Hairdresser / Exercise Instructress / First Woman *

Marie Wallace Marie Wallace (born May 19, 1939) is an American stage and television actress, best known for her performances in the gothic soap opera ''Dark Shadows''. Early life and career Marie was born in New York City on May 19, 1939, and grew up in the ...

– Crystal Allen *

Patricia Wheel Patricia Wheel (December 9, 1925 – June 3, 1986) was an American actress who appeared in films and TV series from the 1940s to the 1970s. Early years Wheel was the daughter of Lester H. Wheel and his wife, Helene, and she had a sister, Lesley. ...

– Miss Shapiro *

Mary Louise Wilson Mary Louise Wilson (born November 12, 1931) is an American actress, singer, and comedian. In a career that has spanned more than 50 years, she has appeared in a number of plays, films and television shows. Wilson's most notable work includes a ...

– Nancy Blake

2001 Revival

Lynn Collins Viola Lynn Collins (born May 16, 1977) is an American actress. She has made television appearances in ''True Blood'' (2008), '' Manhunt: Unabomber'' (2017) and '' The Walking Dead'' (2021–2022), and is recognized for her roles in films such a ...

– Miriam Aarons *

Jennifer Coolidge Jennifer Audrey Coolidge (born August 28, 1961) is an American actress known for her roles in comedic film and television particularly in American Pie (series), ''American Pie'' film series (1999–2012), Legally Blonde (franchise), ''Legally Bl ...

– Edith (''Mrs. Phelps Potter'') *

Hallie Kate Eisenberg Hallie Kate Eisenberg (born August 2, 1992) is an American former child actress, best known for being "The Pepsi Girl" in a series of Pepsi commercials, as Marie Alweather in ''Paulie'', and her role as Erika Tansy in ''How to Eat Fried Worms''. ...

– Little Mary *

Lisa Emery Lisa Emery is an American stage, film, and television actress. Emery is best known for playing Darlene Snell on Netflix series ''Ozark''. Early life Emery was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the daughter of an aspiring actress from Charlottesv ...

– Nancy Blake *

Kristen Johnston Kristen Angela Johnston (born September 20, 1967) is an American actress. Best known for her work on television sitcoms, she twice won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Sally Solomon in ...

– Sylvia (''Mrs. Howard Fowler'') *

Rue McClanahan Eddi-Rue McClanahan (February 21, 1934 – June 3, 2010) was an American actress and comedian best known for her roles on television as Vivian Harmon on '' Maude'' (1972–78), Aunt Fran Crowley on ''Mama's Family'' (1983–84), and Blanche De ...

– Countess de Lage *

Cynthia Nixon Cynthia Ellen Nixon (born April 9, 1966) is an American actress, activist, and theater director. For her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in the HBO series ''Sex and the City'' (1998–2004), she won the 2004 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supp ...

– Mary (''Mrs. Stephen Haines'') *

Amy Ryan Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski, known professionally as Amy Ryan, is an American actress of stage and screen. A graduate of New York's High School of Performing Arts, she is an Academy Award nominee and two-time Tony Award nominee. Ryan began her pr ...

– Peggy (''Mrs. John Day'') *

Jennifer Tilly Jennifer Tilly (born Jennifer Ellen Chan; September 16, 1958) is an American–Canadian actress and poker player. Known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, two MTV Movie Awards and three Sat ...

– Crystal Allen *

– Mrs. Morehead * Susan Bruce – Miss Watts / Second Saleswoman / Second Woman * Jennifer Butt – Olga / A Fitter / First Girl * Jane Cronin – Miss Fordyce * Jen Davis – First Model *

Mary Bond Davis Mary Bond Davis (born June 3, 1958) is a singer, actor, and dancer from Los Angeles, California. She is best known for her performance as Motormouth Maybelle in the 2002 Broadway run of Hairspray (musical), Hairpsray. Biography Davis began her ...

– Maggie *

Julie Halston Julie Halston is an American actress and comedian. She was born in Flushing, Queens on December 7, 1954. Her parents, Rudolph “Rudy” Abatelli and her mother Julia Madeline “Dolly” (née Gardner) moved to Commack, Long Island when Halst ...

– Lucy / Mudmask / First Saleswoman / First Woman * Roxanna Hope – Princess Tamara / Second Hairdresser / Helene / Debutante * Kelly Mares – Second Model * Barbara Marineau – Mrs. Wagstaff / Second Salesgirl / Dowager *

Heather Matarazzo Heather Christina Marie Matarazzo (born November 10, 1982) is an American actress. Her breakthrough role was Dawn Wiener in the film ''Welcome to the Dollhouse'' (1995). She played Lilly in ''The Princess Diaries'' (2001) and '' The Princess Dia ...

– Jane *

Adina Porter Adina Elizabeth Porter is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Lettie Mae Thornton on the HBO fantasy horror series ''True Blood'' (2008–2014), Kendra James on the HBO drama series '' The Newsroom'' (2012–2014), and Indra ...

– A Nurse / Euphie / Miss Myrtle / Cigarette Girl * Gayton Scott – Exercise Instructress / First Hairdress / Second Girl *

Cheryl Stern Cheryl Stern is an American Broadway actress. Education Stern is a graduate of Northwestern University. Career Stern worked as a backup performer for comedian Jackie Mason and was in his comedy musical Laughing Room Only. In 2009, she starr ...

– Miss Shapiro / Pedicurist / Sadie * Ann Talman – Miss Trimmerback / First Salesgirl / Girl in Distress

Adaptations

Film

The 1939 film version was directed by

George Cukor George Dewey Cukor (; July 7, 1899 – January 24, 1983) was an American film director and film producer. He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. His career flourished at RKO when David O. Selznick, the studio's Head of ...

and starred

Norma Shearer Edith Norma Shearer (August 11, 1902June 12, 1983) was a Canadian-American actress who was active on film from 1919 through 1942. Shearer often played spunky, sexually liberated ingénues. She appeared in adaptations of Noël Coward, Eugene O'N ...

and

Joan Crawford Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; March 23, ncertain year from 1904 to 1908was an American actress. She started her career as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway. Crawford was signed to a motion pict ...

. Supporting cast included

Rosalind Russell Catherine Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907November 28, 1976) was an American actress, comedienne, screenwriter, and singer,Obituary ''Variety'', December 1, 1976, p. 79. known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in the H ...

Paulette Goddard Paulette Goddard (born Marion Levy; June 3, 1910 – April 23, 1990) was an American actress notable for her film career in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Born in Manhattan and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Goddard initially began her career a ...

Joan Fontaine Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland (October 22, 1917 – December 15, 2013), known professionally as Joan Fontaine, was a British-American actress who is best known for her starring roles in Hollywood films during the "Golden Age". Fontaine appeared ...

and

Mary Boland Mary Boland (born Marie Anne Boland; January 28, 1882 – June 23, 1965) was an American stage and film actress. Early years Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Boland was the daughter of repertory actor William Augustus Boland, and his wife M ...

. In 1956, the story was made into a musical film titled ''

The Opposite Sex ''The Opposite Sex'' is a 1956 American musical romantic comedy film shot in Metrocolor and CinemaScope. The film was directed by David Miller and stars June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan, and Ann Miller, with Leslie Ni ...

'', starring

June Allyson June Allyson (born Eleanor Geisman; October 7, 1917 – July 8, 2006) was an American stage, film, and television actress, dancer, and singer. Allyson began her career in 1937 as a dancer in short subject films and on Broadway in 1938. She sign ...

and

Joan Collins Dame Joan Henrietta Collins (born 23 May 1933) is an English actress, author and columnist. Collins is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a People's Choice Award, two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Primetime ...

Diane English Diane English (born May 18, 1948) is an American screenwriter, producer and director, best known for creating the television show ''Murphy Brown'' and writing and directing the 2008 feature film '' The Women''. Early life English was born in Buf ...

co-wrote and directed the 2008 remake that was in development for 15 years. It starred

Meg Ryan Meg Ryan (born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra; November 19, 1961) is an American actress. She began her acting career in 1981 when she made her acting debut in the drama film ''Rich and Famous''. She later joined the cast of the CBS soap opera ...

Annette Bening Annette Carol Bening (born May 29, 1958) is an American actress. She has received various accolades throughout her career spanning over four decades, including a British Academy Film Award and two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominat ...

Eva Mendes Eva de la Caridad Méndez (, ; born March 5, 1974), known professionally as Eva Mendes, is an American actress, model and fashion designer. Her acting career began in the late 1990s, with a series of roles in films such as '' Children of the Cor ...

Debra Messing Debra Lynn Messing (born August 15, 1968) is an American actress. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Messing received short-lived roles on television series such as ''Ned and Stacey'' on Fox (1995–1997) and ...

Jada Pinkett Smith Jada Koren Pinkett Smith (; née Pinkett; born September 18, 1971) is an American actress and talk show host. She is co-host of the Facebook Watch talk show '' Red Table Talk'', for which she has received a Daytime Emmy Award. ''Time'' named ...

Carrie Fisher Carrie Frances Fisher (October 21, 1956 – December 27, 2016) was an American actress and writer. She played Princess Leia in the ''Star Wars'' films (1977–1983). She reprised the role in'' Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' (2015), ''The Last ...

Cloris Leachman Cloris Leachman (April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2021) was an American actress and comedian whose career spanned nearly eight decades. She won many accolades, including eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 22 nominations, making her the most nomin ...

Debi Mazar Deborah Anne Mazar Corcos (; born August 13, 1964) is an American actress and television personality, known for playing sharp-tongued women. She began her career with supporting roles in ''Goodfellas'' (1990), ''Little Man Tate'' (1991) and ''Si ...

Bette Midler Bette Midler (;''Inside the Actors Studio'', 2004 born December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress, comedian and author. Throughout her career, which spans over five decades, Midler has received List of awards and nominations received by Be ...

, and

Candice Bergen Candice Patricia Bergen (born May 9, 1946) is an American actress. She won five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal of the title character on the CBS sitcom ''Murphy Brown'' (1988–1998, 2018). She is also know ...

Television

On February 7, 1955, the

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

anthology drama series ''

Producers' Showcase ''Producers' Showcase'' is an American anthology television series that was telecast live during the 1950s in compatible color by NBC. With top talent, the 90-minute episodes, covering a wide variety of genres, aired under the title every fourth M ...

'' broadcast an adaptation of the play, starring

Ruth Hussey Ruth Carol Hussey (October 30, 1911 – April 19, 2005) was an American actress best known for her Academy Award-nominated role as photographer Elizabeth Imbrie in '' The Philadelphia Story''. Early life Hussey was born in Providence, Rhode I ...

as Mary. Paulette Goddard and Mary Boland, who had each appeared in the 1939 film, also appeared in this production, as Sylvia Fowler and the Countess, respectively.

Shelley Winters Shelley Winters (born Shirley Schrift; August 18, 1920 – January 14, 2006) was an American actress whose career spanned seven decades. She appeared in numerous films. She won Academy Awards for ''The Diary of Anne Frank'' (1959) and ''A Patch o ...

played the part of Crystal Allen,''Life'', February 28, 1955. while

Mary Astor Mary Astor (born Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke; May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was an American actress. Although her career spanned several decades, she may be best remembered for her performance as Brigid O'Shaughnessy in '' The Maltese ...

portrayed Nancy Blake and

Bibi Osterwald Margaret Virginia "Bibi" Osterwald (February 3, 1920 – January 2, 2002) was an American actress. Life and career Osterwald was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the daughter of Dagmar (Kvastad) and Rudolf August Osterwald, a hotel owne ...

was Edith Potter. On June 18, 2002, the

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcasting, public broadcaster and Non-commercial activity, non-commercial, Terrestrial television, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly fu ...

anthology theatre series ''

Stage on Screen ''Stage on Screen'' was a series broadcast on public television PBS affiliate Thirteen WNET New York, which presents American theatrical productions that consist of cinematic and made-for-TV adaptations, live broadcasts, and documentaries that rel ...

'' broadcast a recording of the 2001 Broadway revival.

Awards and nominations

2001 Revival

References

External links

* * *
Turner Classic Movies article on ''The Women''

Women" Past & Present @ LaFemmeReel.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Women, The 1936 plays Broadway plays Plays by Clare Boothe Luce American plays adapted into films