Black-and-white still from a 1930s-style film showing two white women in a wood-paneled room. On the left, a woman with short, curly dark hair holds a white telephone receiver to her ear with both hands, its cord trailing down. She wears a dark dress with puffed shoulders, a jeweled brooch, a pearl bracelet, and a bangle, and she looks sideways toward the other woman with a knowing, wary expression. On the right, a woman with sleek, sculpted waves pinned up on her head stands in profile, her back partly to the camera, wearing a dark dress with a wide, gathered waistband. She gazes back at the first woman with a composed, faintly cool look.

The Women

About The Women

Co-written by Anita Loos and Jane Murfin, The Women delivers a cast of 135 women, each with a speaking role, to the total exclusion of men. The delightfully witty and rapid-fire dialogue pours out of a cadre of familiar faces, including Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, and Rosalind Russell.

While the majority of the film unfolds in black-and-white, a delightful six-minute fashion show shot in dazzling Technicolor is included that features gowns by Adrian, the iconic MGM-based costume designer behind many Technicolor splendors, including The Wizard of Oz (1939). Adrian also drew on artist Elsa Schiaparelli's influence to create the film's unforgettable attire, making The Women one of the most important examples of Sartorial Surrealism on screen.

The screening will be introduced by visual culture historian Dr. Sabina Stent.
 

Booking info

To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.

Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.

MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.

Dates and times

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