DESIGNING WOMAN (1957)

Credit M-G-M costume designer Helen Rose for coming up with a great title on an ‘original’ story idea that’s little more than a rehash of WOMAN OF THE YEAR/’42, the film where Tracy met Hepburn.  Now, it’s Gregory Peck as the beer & pretzels sports writer falling hard for high society couturier Lauren Bacall.  Loaded with wheezy routines (Bacall goes to a boxing match; Peck finds B’way’s Gay White Way in the living room*), and working obvious issues (a contentious babe in Peck’s background before their impulsive marriage; mobsters out for Peck), the film is easily saved thru expert execution and real laugh-out-loud moments.  George Wells’ Oscar’d script develops the cadence of wit with self-reflexive commentary; cinematographer John Alton trades his Prince of Darkness rep for MetroColor, Helen Rose takes advantage of late ‘50s schizophrenic dress codes (from minimalist black to the poofiest skirts); and director Vincente Minnelli coaxes relaxed comedy out of Peck & Bacall, normally a couple of stiffs.  He even holds back B’way belter Dolores Gray as the rival dame from eating anyone alive.*  At a full two hours, it probably runs a little too long; but everyone makes such pleasant company.  As Betty Bacall said about Peck (and might have said about herself), these two are very easy on the eyes.

DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: The original, WOMAN OF THE YEAR/’42. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2021/09/woman-of-year-1942.html   OR: *Heard here merely as a run thru, André Previn’s ‘Music Is Better Than Words’ gets the full treatment with Gray in the little seen IT’S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER/’55.  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/05/its-always-fair-weather-1955.html

ATTENTION MUST BE PAID:  *The gay angle handled in a most unusual turn for the period from film choreographer Jack Cole in his only acting role.  He’s officially married with kids here, but you can’t miss the macho point being made by Minnelli & Co.