Dolores Gray, Gregory Peck, Jesse White

Anyone who thinks that Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is a cutting-edge idea will be surprised by Designing Woman, a 1957 comedy starring Gregory Peck as a sports writer who fal...( read more  read more... )ls madly in love with fashion designer Lauren Bacall. The twofold plot springs from a combination of Bacall's jealous efforts to learn the identity of Peck's previous lover and Peck's reckless exposé of a gangster who rigs boxing matches--but the movie's real enjoyment comes from its depiction of the athletic and arts worlds, each spun as a reflection of the male and female mind, respectively. George Wells won an Oscar for writing the original story and screenplay. While Peck and Bacall aren't noted for their comic chops, they acquit themselves respectably; Bacall has the more flamboyant role, but Peck draws low-key humor from his character's smug and blinkered perceptions. Designing Woman is directed by Vincente Minnelli, so it's not surprising that the movie flares most to life during a few musical sequences--sneaked into the plot because Bacall has been commissioned to design a Broadway show, whose star just happens to be Peck's former paramour--culminating in a back-alley fight staged as a brawling ballet.

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66% liked it

1,312 ratings

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71% liked it

7 critics

Unrated, 118 min.

Directed by: Vincente Minnelli

Release Date: May 16, 1957

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DVD Release Date: February 5, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (76)


  • October 1, 2009
    Rehash of Tracy's and Hepburn's Woman of the Year from 15 years before. Not a bad retelling. There are many funny observations. However, I like the chemistry, frazzled nerves, and rapid dialog of the movie with the classic couple better.
  • February 7, 2009
    Designing Woman from 1957 starring the beautiful Lauren Bacall and the great leading man Gregory Peck. I have been wanting to see this film and finally watched it recently and loved it.

    The movie centers on a wealthy and very high scoiety lady (Bacall) and a very man's man (P...( read more)eck). Both fall in love and marry quickly after meeting. Soon thereafter they find out through funny situations that they are very different but have one major thing in common the love for one another, can it rule all?
  • December 12, 2007
    if you enjoy sophistication comedy which means comic tales about upper class people like those socialites blended with the elements of screwball comedy, and meanwhile you sorta like the old gangster style episode, "designing woman" would be a terrific choice to consume your eveni...( read more)ng tea time....meanwhile if you're not weary of the trivial emphasis of feminine extravagent constumes, you would embrace this flick with vigor.

    the storyline is complicated, a joulistist played by peck falls in love with a fashion designer played by bacall, then gets married immediately once the passion is torched, and he's having some discord over the gap of their social lives, and also he's busy concealing the fact of his ex girlfriend whom his wife suspects he's having affairs with, further his newspaper article infuriates a gangster lead who plans to send thugs to teach him a lesson....you could imagine..it's a comedy of errors and irreconcible ridicule between genders, as he would rather take all the troubles denying the existence of his ex than confide the truth to reclaim his fidelity.

    the wardrobes are all out of prestigous designer helen rose who even held a press conference to introduce the fashions in this flick. bacall's role was originally considered with grace kelly if kelly had not been transported to morocco as princess.

    the best pleasure of watching "designing woman" is the girlish amusement for dresses and those rosiness of high class lifestyle such as being a designer and a popular society queen, most of all, married to a dashing handsome man who is the man of men, gregory peck. of course, the premise is that you must have a slight acceptance of chic flicks, and this one has the right dose, one bit more would ruin the pleasant taste.
  • November 9, 2009
    Excellent battle of the sexes film, with a very pleasing pairing of Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall, they have great chemistry. Exceptional production values, particularly the costumes and art direction. Good screenplay and the supporting cast is great.
  • September 19, 2008
    Loved the teaming of Bacall and Peck. Who knew Gregory Peck could be so humorous.
  • August 2, 2008
    great chemistry between Peck & Bacall
  • March 18, 2008
    I didn't like this film.
  • February 24, 2008
    Parts of it were pretty good.

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