The reason to watch "Housewife" is to watch Ann Dvorak. Possessing the most beautiful eyes of any actress (in my opinion) it is a rare chance to see her as the star. She was just as feisty as Bette Davis in her private life, going on suspension for better roles. She came to Hollywood as a choreographer and within a couple of years had wowed everyone in the movie "Scarface" (1932).
I know this was Bette Davis' "breakthrough" year but in this film she was quite good at the start - playing the "femme fatale".
I agree it was a walk through but Davis gave an edgy performance.
I actually viewed the film as showing Nan (Ann Dvorak) with her quiet, "I'm only a housewife" ways as having more brains and get up and go than either Davis or sappy Brent.
Nan is a housewife - she runs her home very efficiently - making sure there is a lamb roast every Sunday, calling in a plumber to fix a leaking tap, making sure bills get paid on time. Sister-in-law Dora (Ruth Donnelly) thinks she is a sap. Bill (George Brent) takes her and the running of the house for granted. He works for an advertising agency but he is having his own problems. He is not a "go getter" and even though he has been at the agency for many years he has never advanced or been promoted.
After an idea he has, for face cream promotion, is scoffed at Nan persuades him to go into business for himself ( with the help of a little nest egg Nan has been squirreling away). With Nan as the power behind the throne Reynolds advertising agency goes from strength to strength. Bette Davis plays Pat Berkeley a childhood friend of Bill and Nan's, who has hit the big time in New York advertising. She remembers when Bill was the head of his football team and had a big future. She is hired by his agency and they begin an affair.
Paul Duprey (John Halliday), a cosmetic manufacturer has his eye on Nan. After a disastrous radio programme - Bill hadn't bothered attending the rehearsal, he was too busy romancing Pat. Nan discusses her idea with Duprey - why not have a romantic theme for the broad- cast with songs from Paris and the Continent. Duprey feels Nan is the cleverest member of the family (more like the cleverest member of the this movie!!!). Bill has a showdown with Nan - he wants a divorce but she refuses, she wants to fight for him (I can't imagine why!!!). On his way to see Pat he runs over his little boy Buddy (Ronnie Cosby). Buddy pulls through but Nan decides to get a divorce.
The ending is pretty sappy - I didn't like it. The film had been quite dramatic but the ending was quite abrupt and like the director had wanted everything tidied up happily. John Halliday from the start had seen more in Nan than just being a "housewife" - all her qualities of imagination and good business sense but he was very quick to ask Bette Davis for a date when George Brent started to realise what a jewel his wife was. Halliday was probably just exasperated at the way the film ended.
Recommended.
I know this was Bette Davis' "breakthrough" year but in this film she was quite good at the start - playing the "femme fatale".
I agree it was a walk through but Davis gave an edgy performance.
I actually viewed the film as showing Nan (Ann Dvorak) with her quiet, "I'm only a housewife" ways as having more brains and get up and go than either Davis or sappy Brent.
Nan is a housewife - she runs her home very efficiently - making sure there is a lamb roast every Sunday, calling in a plumber to fix a leaking tap, making sure bills get paid on time. Sister-in-law Dora (Ruth Donnelly) thinks she is a sap. Bill (George Brent) takes her and the running of the house for granted. He works for an advertising agency but he is having his own problems. He is not a "go getter" and even though he has been at the agency for many years he has never advanced or been promoted.
After an idea he has, for face cream promotion, is scoffed at Nan persuades him to go into business for himself ( with the help of a little nest egg Nan has been squirreling away). With Nan as the power behind the throne Reynolds advertising agency goes from strength to strength. Bette Davis plays Pat Berkeley a childhood friend of Bill and Nan's, who has hit the big time in New York advertising. She remembers when Bill was the head of his football team and had a big future. She is hired by his agency and they begin an affair.
Paul Duprey (John Halliday), a cosmetic manufacturer has his eye on Nan. After a disastrous radio programme - Bill hadn't bothered attending the rehearsal, he was too busy romancing Pat. Nan discusses her idea with Duprey - why not have a romantic theme for the broad- cast with songs from Paris and the Continent. Duprey feels Nan is the cleverest member of the family (more like the cleverest member of the this movie!!!). Bill has a showdown with Nan - he wants a divorce but she refuses, she wants to fight for him (I can't imagine why!!!). On his way to see Pat he runs over his little boy Buddy (Ronnie Cosby). Buddy pulls through but Nan decides to get a divorce.
The ending is pretty sappy - I didn't like it. The film had been quite dramatic but the ending was quite abrupt and like the director had wanted everything tidied up happily. John Halliday from the start had seen more in Nan than just being a "housewife" - all her qualities of imagination and good business sense but he was very quick to ask Bette Davis for a date when George Brent started to realise what a jewel his wife was. Halliday was probably just exasperated at the way the film ended.
Recommended.