The Feminine Touch

The Feminine Touch (1941) is a delightful post-code romantic comedy directed by W. S. Van Dyke, boasting a stellar cast that includes Rosalind Russell, Don Ameche, Kay Francis, and Van Heflin. The film invites its audience into an engaging story filled with humor, complications, and all the charm one would expect from a Golden Age Hollywood production.

Rosalind Russell plays Julie Hathaway, a warm, poised, and intelligent woman with a feministic outlook for the era. She is engaged to successful author and professor, John Hathaway, played with charm and sophistication by Don Ameche. John is known for his brilliant mind and dry wit, but his deep engrossment in his academic work and somewhat oblivious nature often lands him in precarious situations.

John's new book, a study on the "psychological behaviorism of the male versus the female," catches the attention of the highly competitive and contentious world of book publishing. Though the couple is based in quiet Amesville, Ohio, John’s promising career prospects swiftly escort them to the chaotic, fast-paced environment of New York City.

Kay Francis shadows this narrative arc by playing a smoky-voiced publisher, Nellie Woods. She is a successful businesswoman, who expresses an interest in John’s book, but also seems to harbor a more personal fascination with the author himself. Francis is a treat in this film, sparklingly matching Ameche's performance with sly insinuations and beguiling manipulations, establishing herself as a potential love-rival for Julie.

Van Heflin plays Elliott Morgan, Nellie’s business partner with an eye for the ladies. Despite his friendly exterior, his advances toward Julie further complicate the already knotty relationships within the circle.

The script cleverly uses its core premise as a vehicle to explore, somewhat ironically, the subtle power dynamics and gender roles within the relationships at hand. Its title, The Feminine Touch, might suggest a reinforced stereotype of women's roles within a marriage and professional world. However, what is actually delivered on screen is a surprising exploration of marital relationships, infidelity, gender norms, and professional ambitions placed within a framework of comedic device.

Observing the interaction between a composed, dedicated homemaker and a free-spirited, ambitious, and successful publisher through John Hathaway's perspective cleverly brings forth the basic assertion – that women can have different dimensions to their personalities, irrespective of societal constraints.

Throughout the narrative, the film manages to maintain its comedic freshness, thanks to the stellar performances by the lead actors and W.S. Van Dyke's superior direction. The witty dialogue and humorous wordplay keep the audience entertained, and a tinge of drama and romance further deepens the film's appeal. Flirting with the screwball comedy genre, the film effectively uses amusing misunderstandings, romantic innuendos, and physical comedy.

The cinematography of The Feminine Touch also demands attention. Cinematographer Ray June uses the black-and-white aesthetic to its full potential, and the film is beautifully lit, setting the iconic Golden Age Hollywood ambiance that fans of the genre crave.

Aesthetically pleasing, lively, and bursting with an entertaining script, The Feminine Touch (1941) explores gender roles and societal expectations with a clever, comedic slant. With top-notch performances by stars Russell, Ameche, Francis, and Heflin, this classic comedy serves up plenty of laughs, while posing serious questions about societal norms, particularly those related to gender. The movie offers a 'feminine touch' of comedy to viewers looking for a light-hearted, yet thought-provoking watch.