Women and the Golden Age of Hollywood

The Golden Age of Hollywood was a magical time for film. Many of my favorite films come from this time (1930s - 1950s). It was the height of the studio system, and the studios were cranking out films left and right. Writers and actors were tied to one studio for very long periods of time. Those studios (Warner Brothers, Paramount, 20th Century Fox) were run by powerful and visionary men.

Some of the cinemas' most memorable actors came from this system. And while the average woman of the time didn't have enough power to have a career in other than traditionally female jobs, there were an incredible number of women who were box office successes.

Here are a few films from some of the most successful actresses of their time.


-- It Happened One Night (1934)

This Frank Capra-directed film is one of the best romantic comedies ever filmed. Spoiled rich girl Ellie (Claudette Colbert) has just married a man her father does not approve of. While her father is getting the marriage annulled, Ellie sets out on a bus trip to be reunited with her love. The story is all over the news, and journalist Peter Warne (Clark Gable) can't believe his luck when he ends up on the same bus as Ellie. She is forced to accept his help to reach her "husband" when her purse is stolen. Of course, hijinks ensue and the two find themselves falling in love.


-- The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Days before socialite Tracy Lord's marriage, her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven, shows up with two tabloid reporters prepared to cover the wedding. Tracy (Katherine Hepburn) is not happy to see her former husband (Cary Grant). Tracy is trying to move on after their disastrous marriage, but keeps finding herself drawn back towards Haven and one of the reporters (Jimmy Stewart). Moments before the ceremony, Tracy realizes who she should really be marrying.


-- To Have and Have Not (1944)

Against his better judgment, boat owner Harry Morgan (Humphrey Bogart) agrees to transport members of the French resistance during the early days of World War II. While this is going on, he meets a young pickpocket (Lauren Bacall) who falls in love with him. While this is not Bacall's biggest role (it was her first, actually), the chemistry between her and Bogart is electrifying. Their budding romance led to her role in the film being increased.


-- The Thin Man (1934)

Newly married, the former private detective Nick Charles (William Powell) returns to New York with his wife, Nora (Myrna Loy). They are rich and bored, so when an acquaintance asks Nick for his help in clearing her father's name in a murder investigation, Nick accepts. Nora is thrilled, because she wants to experience the excitement of solving a case. This was the first in a series of five films starring Powell and Loy.


-- Now, Voyager (1942)

Charlotte Vale (Bette Davis) is a spinster aunt and the only daughter of a very old and influential Boston family. Her tyrannical and overbearing mother tries to control every aspect of Charlotte's life, which leads Charlotte to a nervous breakdown. After several weeks recuperating at a sanatorium, she departs on a cruise to South America that will change her life forever. She falls in love with a married man (Paul Henreid) who she knows she can never be with, but his love for her transforms her. She eventually ends up taking care of his youngest daughter, who is also emotionally damaged, which gives her a sort of happiness that she never expected to have.

In many ways, this is somewhat of a traditional romance, but I really enjoy watching Charlotte learn to be the person she was meant to be, and all from the love of one person. That it happens to be a romantic relationship makes it more interesting. But is shows that if Charlotte would have received even a small amount of love and attention from her mother, she most likely would have had an easier road to self-discovery.

-- Post by Tracy