A Woman's Face (1941)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Francis de Croisset (play)
Donald Ogden Stewart (writer) ...
(more)

Release Date:

23 May 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

THEY CALLED HER A SCARFACED SHE-DEVIL(original poster-all caps)

Plot:

A female blackmailer with a disfiguring facial scar meets a plastic surgeon who offers her the possibility of looking like a normal woman.

Plot Keywords:

Blackmailer | Facial Scar | Scar | Blackmail | Disfigurement

Cast

Joan Crawford	...	Anna Holm
Melvyn Douglas	...	Dr. Gustaf Segert
Conrad Veidt	...	Torsten Barring
Osa Massen	...	Vera Segert
Reginald Owen	...	Bernard Dalvik
Albert Bassermann	...	Consul Magnus Barring
Marjorie Main	...	Emma Kristiansdotter
Donald Meek	...	Herman Rundvik
Connie Gilchrist	...	Christina Dalvik
Richard Nichols	...	Lars-Erik Barring
Charles Quigley	...	Eric
Gwili Andre	...	Gusta
Clifford Brooke	...	Wickman
George Zucco	...	Defense Attorney
Henry Kolker	...	Judge
Robert Warwick	...	Associate Judge
Gilbert Emery	...	Associate Judge
Henry Daniell	...	Public Prosecutor
Sarah Padden	...	Police Matron
William Farnum	...	Court Attendant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hauk Aabel	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Veda Buckland	...	Nurse Getting Mirror (uncredited)
Naomi Childers	...	Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Doris Day	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Rex Evans	...	Court Notary (uncredited)
Robert C. Flasher	...	Court Attendant (uncredited)
Gary Gray	...	Sailor-Suited Boy in Park (uncredited)
Sherry Hall	...	Bailiff (uncredited)
Mahlon Hamilton	...	Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Lillian Kemble-Cooper	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Manart Kippen	...	Olaf (uncredited)
Alexander Leftwich	...	Magnus Party Guest (uncredited)
James Millican	...	Photographer (uncredited)
Lionel Pape	...	Einer (uncredited)
George Pauncefort	...	Guest (uncredited)
Mary Ellen Popel	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Catherine Proctor	...	Mrs. Segerblum (uncredited)
Cecil Stewart	...	Pianist (uncredited)

Directed by
George Cukor

Writing credits
Francis de Croisset		(play "Il etait une fois") (as Francis De Croisset)
Donald Ogden Stewart		(writer) and
Elliot Paul		(writer)

Produced by
Victor Saville	....	producer

Original Music by
Bronislau Kaper

Cinematography by
Robert H. Planck		(as Robert Planck)

Film Editing by
Frank Sullivan

Art Direction by
Cedric Gibbons

Set Decoration by
Edwin B. Willis

Costume Design by
Adrian		(gowns)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Marvin Stuart	....	assistant director (uncredited)
Edward Woehler	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Wade B. Rubottom	....	associate art director

Sound Department
Douglas Shearer	....	recording director

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gile Steele	....	wardrobe: men

Other crew
Ernst Matray	....	dance director

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (controlled by Loew's Inc.)
• Loew's

Distributors

• Loew's (1941) (USA) (theatrical) (as Loew's Inc.)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1942) (UK) (theatrical)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1946) (France) (theatrical)
• M.P.E.A. (1949) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1954) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Just Entertainment (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (????) (Italy) (video)
• Pantmedia (????) (Italy) (video)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #7126)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Quotes:

[first lines]
Police Matron: That's a fine trick. You know the prisoner's afraid of fire.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Miracle of Sound (1940)

George Cukor at his best

"A Woman's Face" is a film that shows George Cukor, one of the best film directors of all times, at the top of his profession. In fact, this film precedes probably his "Gaslight", which might be one of his best movies he directed. The screen play is by another man who had a knack for adapting theater material for the screen, Donald Ogden Stewart. The combination of both these men give the viewer a film with a rich texture.

This film belongs to Joan Crawford, who carries it with style and panache. This role ranks as one of the most complex Ms. Crawford ever played in the movies. Her characterization was molded by Mr. Cukor who clearly understood how to get a good performance from his star. In fact, Ana Holm, is one of the best things Ms. Crawford portrayed in the movies and she is seen without the excessive makeup.

Conrad Veidt is also one of the assets of the film. He is perfect for his part and holds his own playing against Joan Crawford. Melvyn Douglas, on the other hand, doesn't fare as well, perhaps because of the way his character is written. There are also wonderful performances by Richard Nicholas who is seen as the young boy Lars-Erik. Marjorie Main. Osa Masser, and Reginald Owen are seen in supporting roles.

The film is a must see for all Joan Crawford and George Cukor fans.