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Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786302241068
Format: Import, NTSC
ISBN: 6302241065
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageAnalogItalianOriginal LanguageAnalog
Release Date: March 02, 1994
Theatrical Release Date: 1957
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Editorial Review:
From Amazon.com:
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 falls 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. 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 (who also directed Meet Me in St. Louis, An American in Paris, and Gigi), 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. --Bret Fetzer
Amazon.com Essential Video:
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 falls 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. 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 (who also directed Meet Me in St. Louis, An American in Paris, and Gigi), 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. --Bret Fetzer
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
This movie might have been tangier with Hepburn & Tracy, but it has some nice moments. Minelli was a stylish director & it shows here. But the real treat for those of us who remember the great 50s musicals of Hollywood & Broadway was the presence of Dolores Gray and Jack Cole, sadly quite limited here. Ms. Gray in this film and in It's Always Fair Weather & Kismet could blow the roof off with her magnificent voice and presence. Jack Cole was one of the great dancers and choreographers of that era - a major influence on many choreographers who followed. This film is a special gem for preserving some fine examples of work by these two great performers.
Rating:  -
In this film, Lauren Bacall hilariously portrays the quintessential high-society, high-fashion New Yorker. While on a trip to Beverly Hills, she meets and spontaneously marries the wonderful Gregory Peck - an unassuming sports writer who has no idea exactly what he's married into. Upon their return to New York, Peck's character discovers he's married the darling of New York society as his wife is a renowned designer (think Edith Head or Helen Rose). What ensues is hilarious encounters between her society coterie and his down-home group of blue-collar writers, setting up perfectly for the witty repartee between Bacall and Peck that defines the movie. The film culminates in a fashion show-boxing rumble, once again intersecting the seemingly divergent lives of Bacall and Peck.
"Designing Woman" is a wonderful movie that gives ample opportunity for the magnificent Gregory Peck to show off his comedic skills, however subtly. I saw this film after "Roman Holiday" and it cemented ... Read More
Rating: -
I love Gregory Peck. I love him as the serious, morally righteous attorney, the dashing naval captain, you name it. So, really, I should have known that he could pull off a comedic role as well. No one, I don't think, could have known how well he'd pull it off.
From his first hilarious hangover to the last "cross-eyed" fight scene, Peck is enchanting. He's completely believable in his role as a sports writer caught up in a new world of dresses and strange choreographers intruding on his poker night. And perhaps it's because he's not known as a comedic actor that he's all the more funny.
Designing Woman seems to be a little known film, but I'm certainly glad I found it because it kept me laughing, which brought others into the room to watch it with me. Now I just wish that Peck had made more movies like this.
Rating: -
The great director Vincent Minnelli (Gigi, American in Paris & Meet Me in St. Louis) does an outstanding job presenting us with the 50's comedy "Designing Woman". Lauren Bacall is gorgeous in the lead and with a rare comedic performance gives us a great movie. Her leading man Gregory Peck also in a rare comedic role pulls it off masterfully under the direction of Minnelli.
This Warner Brothers DVD is very nicely done. The movie & color quality is outstanding and the WideScreen presentation fills the screen with the stars personalities. DVD Extras include a Trailer & behind-the-scenes mini documentary featuring the Costume Designer Helen Rose.
Summary: New York High Society Designing Woman (Bacall - is outstanding) meets a New York Newspaper Sports Writer (Gregory Peck - a nice change & he was delightful) at the Beverly Hills Hotel, California while on their respective assignments. After a shakey start, fall madly in love and in a few days marry.
As they return ... Read More
Rating:  -
Superb cast, master director, good screwball premise, and......pfffft! This odd-couple comedy is skewered by its smirking view of sex roles, whereby the mink-clad heroine will go faint at a boxing match (is this Lauren Bacall?), and her macho mate will question the masculinity of a Broadway choreographer. And I'm afraid we can't share in the delight the film takes in making sport of a punch-drunk, washed-up boxer. (Now we know punch-drunk means brain-damaged). Notable only for the saucy performance of Dolores Gray, and an alley fight scene where the incredibly fey (but agile) Jack Cole knocks out an entire screen full of hoods. Otherwise, a misfire.
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