A great film with an undercurrent of sadness

Reviewed by Marysz, 2009-12-28

I have seen this beautifully made film many, many times and never get
tired of it. I hope eventually all of Vincente Minelli's films come out
on Blu-ray. They deserve to be seen in every bit of their gorgeous
detail. Even this film's flaws make it richer. Gregory Peck's acting as
sportswriter Mike Hagen is stiff and lackadaisical and Lauren
Bacall also seems somehow preoccupied (possibly with her husband
Humphrey Bogart's poor health). But their personal malaise as actors
reinforces one of the central themes of the film, that is, the near
impossibility of creating a truly compatible marriage. The sexually
ambiguous character of Randy Owens (Jack Cole) also undermines (in a
good way) the gender stereotyping that Mike Hagen and his buddies
desperately cling to. Dancer Lori Shannon and producer Zachary Wilder
are the only true adults in the film; it's their eventual pairing at
the end of the film that gives it a sense of emotional completion.

Designing Woman also presents a wonderful cinematic vision of New York;
it evokes a time when the world of musical theater and Broadway played
a central role in American popular culture.

Charming comedy

Reviewed by JC Nice, 2009-09-30

Witty, Vincente Minnelli-directed comedy with Gregory Peck, Lauren Bacall and the underrated Dolores Gray.
Peck is a sports writer for a New York City paper, and Bacall is a fashion designer. A whirlwind romance leads to marriage, and the movies explores the contrast between his poker playing, boxing fan pals and her artsy set in amusing ways.
While the picture makes some of the sexist assumptions you would expect in a 1957 film, it's worth pointing out that the couple moves into her apartment, not his, and that she doesn't give up her friends or her way of life for his benefit.
Also includes a prefab interview with MGM costume designer Helen Rose and the trailer.

Designing Woman

Reviewed by V. B. Norris, 2007-10-18

Designing Woman is a romantic comedy starring Lauren Bacall and Gregory Peck. After their marriage is the moment the excitement begins /getting to know one another. It is fun to watch Mr. Peck's character explaining his marriage to his former girlfriend, Dolores Gray. How true to life is the uniting of "Miss" Bacall's and Ms. Gray's characters. I enjoyed counting the wardrobe changes made by "Miss" Bacall. She proved herself to be the consummate actress as she made this movie during the time her husband, Humprey Bogart, was sick. I am a collector of classic movies. Since I own on VHS and/or DVD all the movies "Miss Bacall and Mr. Bogart made together, I had to have this one also. I encourage you to purchase this movie for your collection. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

Watch it for Dolores Gray & Jack Cole!

Reviewed by inframan, 2002-09-16

This movie might have been tangier with Hepburn & Tracy, but it has some nice moments. Minelli was a stylish director & it shows here. But the real treat for those of us who remember the great 50s musicals of Hollywood & Broadway was the presence of Dolores Gray and Jack Cole, sadly quite limited here. Ms. Gray in this film and in It's Always Fair Weather & Kismet could blow the roof off with her magnificent voice and presence. Jack Cole was one of the great dancers and choreographers of that era - a major influence on many choreographers who followed. This film is a special gem for preserving some fine examples of work by these two great performers.

The Original Sex and the City

Reviewed by Divine Miss M, 2002-06-28

In this film, Lauren Bacall hilariously portrays the quintessential high-society, high-fashion New Yorker. While on a trip to Beverly Hills, she meets and spontaneously marries the wonderful Gregory Peck - an unassuming sports writer who has no idea exactly what he's married into. Upon their return to New York, Peck's character discovers he's married the darling of New York society as his wife is a renowned designer (think Edith Head or Helen Rose). What ensues is hilarious encounters between her society coterie and his down-home group of blue-collar writers, setting up perfectly for the witty repartee between Bacall and Peck that defines the movie. The film culminates in a fashion show-boxing rumble, once again intersecting the seemingly divergent lives of Bacall and Peck.

"Designing Woman" is a wonderful movie that gives ample opportunity for the magnificent Gregory Peck to show off his comedic skills, however subtly. I saw this film after "Roman Holiday" and it cemented my image of Peck as a dashing and charming leading man who brings out the comedic best in his leading ladies. The chemistry between Bacall and Peck is evident throughout the movie and is a testament to the adage "Opposites do attract."

This is a complete, well-told story with a solid set of supporting characters. This movie is for all those people looking for that rare superb romantic comedy. The delightful depiction of New York society makes us nostalgic for the days before the Hilton sisters.