A film titled "Female" is obviously about more than one woman. It is about all women; the nature of women.
We are introduced to Allison Drake, head of Drake Motor Company, who wields power with authority and a swift precision. As it turns out, she is a female version of the prototypically corrupt male boss. She uses her power to seduce those under her authority. She surrounds herself with attractive men and beds them routinely. Afterwards, she shrugs them off like used toys. A man playing this role would be despised, and so should she be. But it is a novel reversal of roles, so it is interesting.
However, Allison laments that she has never found a real man. If she could only find a man who had the strength to stand up to her, she might actually be able to fall in love. Cue the new male employee, Jim Thorne, a gun-shooting, pipe-smoking heman who she meets accidentally outside the company. She is intrigued. He puts her in her place. When she finds that Jim is an employee of her company, Allison puts the usual machinations in motion--dinner for two at her house (in a library replete with hunting trophies), a shaker of vodka, throw pillows at the ready. Jim, of course, remains all business, confusing Allison. The remainder of the plot is rather predictable, except for the disappointing ending.
Released in 1933, this is a pre-Code production with the usual suggestions of nudity. It also features some amazing art deco sets and some beautifully sexy gowns.
Besides the ending, the film's only failure for me was the casting of George Brent as the heman. Someone along the lines of Clark Gable could have portrayed Jim as he was meant to be.
In the end, this film is interesting for its depictions of its era, including the roles of both genders in business and in society.
We are introduced to Allison Drake, head of Drake Motor Company, who wields power with authority and a swift precision. As it turns out, she is a female version of the prototypically corrupt male boss. She uses her power to seduce those under her authority. She surrounds herself with attractive men and beds them routinely. Afterwards, she shrugs them off like used toys. A man playing this role would be despised, and so should she be. But it is a novel reversal of roles, so it is interesting.
However, Allison laments that she has never found a real man. If she could only find a man who had the strength to stand up to her, she might actually be able to fall in love. Cue the new male employee, Jim Thorne, a gun-shooting, pipe-smoking heman who she meets accidentally outside the company. She is intrigued. He puts her in her place. When she finds that Jim is an employee of her company, Allison puts the usual machinations in motion--dinner for two at her house (in a library replete with hunting trophies), a shaker of vodka, throw pillows at the ready. Jim, of course, remains all business, confusing Allison. The remainder of the plot is rather predictable, except for the disappointing ending.
Released in 1933, this is a pre-Code production with the usual suggestions of nudity. It also features some amazing art deco sets and some beautifully sexy gowns.
Besides the ending, the film's only failure for me was the casting of George Brent as the heman. Someone along the lines of Clark Gable could have portrayed Jim as he was meant to be.
In the end, this film is interesting for its depictions of its era, including the roles of both genders in business and in society.