Well Deserved Praise

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

What begins as a feel-good-human-interest story turns into a mystery, then a tragedy, and ultimately an outrage.

The most interesting thing about this film is that it was Leslie Howard's last film before he was killed--shot down by German planes en route to Lisbon during the war. He both directed and narrates this story which was meant both to celebrate the work of women in the army as well as bolster the spirits of the folks at home. In many ways, the film seems pretty dull...or at least kind of petty through much of the picture. After all, the women's boot camp seemed pretty easy and their work not especially hazardous. Fortunately, by the end of the picture you see real sacrifices and difficulties--something you find yourself longing for because through so much of the film the ladies don't seem exposed to many hardships. Because of this, if you see the movie, stick with it...it's worth it. For a similar sort of film, though a bit better, try "So Proudly We Hail"--the story of a group of nurses and the serious hardships they endure in the early days in the Pacific War.

Films showing the effect war had on the ordinary person in the street were extremely popular - "Perfect Strangers", "Millions Like Us" - even Leslie Howard, before his mysterious death, directed and narrated this blatant propaganda piece about life in the woman's army, "The Gentle Sex".Too episodic to hold viewer's attention with only a slight attempt to give the seven main girls distinctive characteristics, this was really a film designed to show that women could do their bit every bit as well as the men. Rosamund Johns plays against type (I have never seen her in a role like this) as an unsophisticated Scots girl who finds fleeting romance with John Laurie at a staff dance. Joyce Howard was probably at the peak of her popularity around this time, forming a team with James Mason in a couple of mystery thrillers. Her "Anne" may have been the most detailed role - a girl from an Army family who falls in love with John Justin, an impossibly handsome soldier!!You are tantalized at the start by Joan Greenwood's "Betty", an innocent rich kid who had never been away from mummy but unfortunately that interesting storyline just petered out. Greenwood was light years away from the sultry star I remember with the husky voice and the "come hither" eyes, the one chosen by Empire Magazine (1995) as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History (No. 63). Jean Gillis' "Dot" was another who at the start made you take notice - she was joining up to get away from the sordid life of night clubs and cabarets plus a persistent boyfriend. A small scene midway through involving a enthusiastic punter and you realise that she is married and her husband has just been wounded. Jean Gillis was to become Great Britain's answer to Ann Savage, she had a modest career in England before coming to the States and wowing everyone in "Decoy".Producer Derrick de Marney had co-starred in Alfred Hitchcock's very under rated "Young and Innocent"(1937).

Seven attractive women join the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) in Great Britain during World War II. This was a volunteer branch of the British Army, for female participants, like the United States Women's Army Corps (WACs). The "lead" is (arguably) platinum blonde Joyce Howard (as Anne Lawrence), but they are all essentially supporting roles. The women come from different locations and classes. They get to know each other during training (better than we get to know them). All have moments and/or potential, but it's all for naught...You're likely to recognize the director in the opening sequence is actor Leslie Howard. He keeps his back to the camera while narrating, but still shows a bit of cheek. Later on, Howard's back for another cameo. Presumably "omniscient", Mr. Howard doesn't add much to the story, though his presence helps make the film seem more cohesive. In reality, "The Gentle Sex" is weak on storytelling and character development. Rumored to have been doing more work for the Allies than making movies, Howard died when his plane was shot down by Nazis in June 1943. A tragic loss.***** The Gentle Sex (4/15/43) Leslie Howard ~ Joyce Howard, Lilli Palmer, Rosamund John, Joan Greenwood

I am a great aficionado of 1940s -50s black and white movies, but I am afraid this one seemed like a lead balloon. The premise was interesting - Leslie Howard as an almost God - like figure looking down on the milling crowd and selecting his characters -and I settled back for an interesting story to unfold. I waited in vain. Not only did very little happen (which can still mean an excellent movie)but there was very little character development. I ended up with the feeling that women were basically rather boring, spineless creatures, which is surely the antithesis of what the film was trying to achieve? I've seen so many films from this era and later where we see women as they really are, innovative, brave,tender, funny,witty. It's the first time I've seen Lilli Palmer as a quiet colourless creature. There were endless opportunities for fun/tragedy/drama,etc, which just didn't materialise. Even the music hall song was flat and stale. Perhaps in its time it might have worked as a propaganda film purely to show that women can be successful in the army but apart from this I'm afraid it was a non -starter and I gave it the thumbs down.