In this romantic comedy with political commentary on gender relations and World War II reaching America, a dynamic feminist political commentator and a sportswriter, after professional conflicts, fall in love and get married. Stevens interprets the awarded script by RingLardner Jr. and Michael Kanin, by orchestrating bodies and gazes with a relentless groove reminiscent of silent cinema: international politics even finds its way into the bridal chamber, a child refugee in the house, an anti-fascist fugitive in the bedroom. The conformism of the infamous kitchen scene, where “the woman has to return to her place”, is more of a parody of domesticity.

George Stevens (1904-1975), born in California, was an important director of the Golden Age of Hollywood. He began as a cinematographer in the films of Laurel and Hardy. His first films are comedies and romantic dramas, which have nevertheless humanist dimensions. During World War II he shot war footage; nevertheless in his post-war dramatic films there exist deeper humanist concerns. Many of his films were nominated for and won Oscars. He won the Best Director Oscar twice for A place in the Sun (1951) and The giant (1956).

Photos: Woman of the Year © 1942 WBEI