The usual romance story, with a couple different subplots going on. You have the man vs. female misunderstandings and high-society dame vs. the common man battles, with racketeers and the police sniffing around. Stars Dane Clark and Martha Vickers, who had both been making films for a couple years. Also has big names Sydney Greenstreet with his usual, famous guffaw and Alan Hale, who was in almost every single movie made in the 1930s and 1940s. The story is a bit convoluted, which is probably why they don't show it very often. It's pleasant enough to watch, but they do everything except take a rocket to the moon. The best role in this must have been the costume designer Leah Rhodes, who has Martha Vickers dolled up in exquisite dresses and hats throughout. Rhodes won the 1950 Oscar for costumes in Don Juan, a couple years after this one. Directed by Fred DeCordova, who also produced and directed Johnny Carson all those years.
15 Reviews
Bored with retirement
bkoganbing9 January 2014
The avuncular Sydney Greenstreet dominates this film as his sinister image is turned upside down in The Way With Women. Greenstreet plays an automobile tycoon who like Henry Ford came from humble beginnings and is Ford like wealthy now without the Fordian idiosyncrasies.
Bored with retirement Greenstreet on impulse buys a half interest in a gas station with war veteran Dane Clark incognito and the two start to build a business. Then they have to fight off a nasty protection racket with Clark and Greenstreet in jail where no one believes he's the wealthy tycoon he says he is. Henry Ford never had problems like this.
The fact that Greenstreet is incognito allows for a romance to develop between his daughter and Clark who really doesn't hit it off with her. The daughter is played by Martha Vickers known for two things, playing Lauren Bacall's psychotic sister in The Big Sleep and being one of Mickey Rooney's wives.
Although Clark and Vickers are attractive the film really belongs to Greenstreet and it is nice to see him not being the mastermind behind some sinister plot or hanging around the fringes of polite society. The man had a real gift for comedy that was not utilized all that often, the only other film I can think of with a funny Greenstreet is Christmas In Connecticut.
Not the best of films, but entertaining and a must for fans of Greenstreet. To see the funny side of Caspar Guttman by all means see The Way With Women.
Bored with retirement Greenstreet on impulse buys a half interest in a gas station with war veteran Dane Clark incognito and the two start to build a business. Then they have to fight off a nasty protection racket with Clark and Greenstreet in jail where no one believes he's the wealthy tycoon he says he is. Henry Ford never had problems like this.
The fact that Greenstreet is incognito allows for a romance to develop between his daughter and Clark who really doesn't hit it off with her. The daughter is played by Martha Vickers known for two things, playing Lauren Bacall's psychotic sister in The Big Sleep and being one of Mickey Rooney's wives.
Although Clark and Vickers are attractive the film really belongs to Greenstreet and it is nice to see him not being the mastermind behind some sinister plot or hanging around the fringes of polite society. The man had a real gift for comedy that was not utilized all that often, the only other film I can think of with a funny Greenstreet is Christmas In Connecticut.
Not the best of films, but entertaining and a must for fans of Greenstreet. To see the funny side of Caspar Guttman by all means see The Way With Women.
Taken out of retirement, originally it was...
AlsExGal16 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
..."The Millionnaire" from 1931 starring George Arliss as James Alden, a completely different kind of actor and size for that matter versus Sydney Greenstreet in the same role here. The plot is completely reworked, and the title makes no sense as there is absolutely nothing about anybody having any way with women. But then I guess something truthful like "Remake About an Old Retired Guy" would probably not pack in an audience back in the day.
Greenstreet plays James Alden, a man forced to retire from the automobile company he founded due to poor health, although he still feels vital. What is the same in this remake is that he buys a half interest in a gas station, deciding that maybe the interest in something new will be good for him. Also as in the original, he conceals his activity from his wife and daughter because they would interfere, fearing for his health.
In the original, Alden and his partner have problems with a competitor. Here there is no cutthroat competitor. Instead their problem consists of post-war gangsters, who are having difficulty fitting into this modern world. They are trying counterfeiting, a protection racket, and some kind of plot that involves one gangster who wants to marry Alden's daughter, although what exactly he plans to gain from that is never clear.
I'd say this one suffers from going on too long and being much less concise than the original. Of course Warner Brothers has grown up over the past 16 years and you can't help but notice the much better production values - scoring, cinematography, and art design - versus the original. But there are just too many characters and subplots. Martha Vickers, as Alden's daughter, is very beautiful but has no screen presence here. She is oddly smiling whether she is angry or happy.
Sydney Greenstreet plays this with a twinkle in his eye, and Dane Clark and Alan Hale are wonderful, but the film could have raised it assessment by at least a star by tighter scripting.
Greenstreet plays James Alden, a man forced to retire from the automobile company he founded due to poor health, although he still feels vital. What is the same in this remake is that he buys a half interest in a gas station, deciding that maybe the interest in something new will be good for him. Also as in the original, he conceals his activity from his wife and daughter because they would interfere, fearing for his health.
In the original, Alden and his partner have problems with a competitor. Here there is no cutthroat competitor. Instead their problem consists of post-war gangsters, who are having difficulty fitting into this modern world. They are trying counterfeiting, a protection racket, and some kind of plot that involves one gangster who wants to marry Alden's daughter, although what exactly he plans to gain from that is never clear.
I'd say this one suffers from going on too long and being much less concise than the original. Of course Warner Brothers has grown up over the past 16 years and you can't help but notice the much better production values - scoring, cinematography, and art design - versus the original. But there are just too many characters and subplots. Martha Vickers, as Alden's daughter, is very beautiful but has no screen presence here. She is oddly smiling whether she is angry or happy.
Sydney Greenstreet plays this with a twinkle in his eye, and Dane Clark and Alan Hale are wonderful, but the film could have raised it assessment by at least a star by tighter scripting.
Greenstreet In A Modest Comedy
atlasmb27 December 2016
This light-hearted, lightweight comedy is also a romance, since the story revolves around the (far-fetched) falling in love of two main characters.
But the film's significance orbits Sydney Greenstreet's portrayal of J.P. Alden, an automobile magnate who has moved to sunny Pasadena and now follows the orders of his doctor, his wife and his daughter--who are concerned for his health. He is cantankerous and bored. He longs for the old days, when he could eat whatever he preferred and he could work on cars.
After a series of coincidences and Alden's assumption of a false identity, he finds a way to assuage his cravings. Soon he is smiling again and ditching the pharmaceuticals. There's a solid message here for those who lose sight of their heart's desires.
It's nice to see Greenstreet in a comedy. And there are some notable appearances by recognizable character actors, notably Ian Wolfe as L. B. Crandall, Alden's personal attorney.
The mating dance between boy and girl is fairly routine (no surprises), but the real joy of this film is watching Sydney's character blossom and learn to self-actualize again.
But the film's significance orbits Sydney Greenstreet's portrayal of J.P. Alden, an automobile magnate who has moved to sunny Pasadena and now follows the orders of his doctor, his wife and his daughter--who are concerned for his health. He is cantankerous and bored. He longs for the old days, when he could eat whatever he preferred and he could work on cars.
After a series of coincidences and Alden's assumption of a false identity, he finds a way to assuage his cravings. Soon he is smiling again and ditching the pharmaceuticals. There's a solid message here for those who lose sight of their heart's desires.
It's nice to see Greenstreet in a comedy. And there are some notable appearances by recognizable character actors, notably Ian Wolfe as L. B. Crandall, Alden's personal attorney.
The mating dance between boy and girl is fairly routine (no surprises), but the real joy of this film is watching Sydney's character blossom and learn to self-actualize again.
"Here's to no one's daughter..., but yours."
classicsoncall29 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I'm still scratching my head over the choice of title for this picture; it doesn't really seem to relate to anything going on in the story. The eventual romance between Marcia Alden (Martha Vickers) and Greg Wilson (Dane Clark) never seemed very credible to me as they displayed no chemistry together, and Marcia never really objected to Carter Andrews' (Craig Stevens) marriage proposal, even when the countdown began to meet him in an hour on a cruise ship. It all seemed very disjointed to me.
I guess the treat here is catching Sydney Greenstreet in an uncharacteristic role fending off his wife and personal physician to have some fun in an assumed guise impersonating his gardener/chef Herman Brinker (Alan Hale). Not up to a life of ease in retirement, J.P. Alden (Greenstreet) buys into a service station with Wilson, and trades on his experience as an auto executive to tinker around as the mood strikes him.
That whole business with the Citizens Protective League and the phony planning commission seemed a bit forced. The scenario reminded me of dozens of Westerns of the era, and when the two 'inspectors' showed up at the 'Smiling Super Service' station, I had to wonder how a whole garage full of 'stolen' tires wound up in storage without Wilson ever knowing how they got there. Wouldn't he have been there the entire time he was running the place?
Well, the story's OK for some light entertainment but one could do better. The biggest kick I got out of the whole thing was how much it cost Marcia for a tank full at the gas station - $2.40 for a fifteen gallon fill-up! And to think, that was the most believable part of the picture!
I guess the treat here is catching Sydney Greenstreet in an uncharacteristic role fending off his wife and personal physician to have some fun in an assumed guise impersonating his gardener/chef Herman Brinker (Alan Hale). Not up to a life of ease in retirement, J.P. Alden (Greenstreet) buys into a service station with Wilson, and trades on his experience as an auto executive to tinker around as the mood strikes him.
That whole business with the Citizens Protective League and the phony planning commission seemed a bit forced. The scenario reminded me of dozens of Westerns of the era, and when the two 'inspectors' showed up at the 'Smiling Super Service' station, I had to wonder how a whole garage full of 'stolen' tires wound up in storage without Wilson ever knowing how they got there. Wouldn't he have been there the entire time he was running the place?
Well, the story's OK for some light entertainment but one could do better. The biggest kick I got out of the whole thing was how much it cost Marcia for a tank full at the gas station - $2.40 for a fifteen gallon fill-up! And to think, that was the most believable part of the picture!
Mild Comedy
dougdoepke18 January 2014
From the cast principals (Clark, Vickers, & Greenstreet), I was expecting moody lighting, a stylish snarl, and maybe a .45 slug to the gut. But no. Instead the two guys are humorous and nice, while Vickers is not looking for just anything in pants. Still, it's only a mild comedy, at best. Wealthy old man Alden (Greenstreet) takes a shine to working stiff Wilson (Clark), equipping him with a super modern gas station, except Wilson doesn't know Alden's true identity. Meanwhile, a white-collar gang of extortionists tries to muscle in on the highly profitable set-up. Sounds convoluted because it is, especially when Alden's snappish daughter (Vickers) is added to the mix.
Most of the comedy comes from the mix-up of true identities. Seems poor Wilson doesn't know who anyone really is. Greenstreet's both tough and amiable, which helps create the proper tongue-in-cheek mood, while Clark manages a regular guy attitude to go along with his blue-collar looks. Plus, Vickers is drop-dead beautiful, but has a very waspish attitude. Her barbs with Wilson, however, lend humorous grit to the proceedings. But the movie never really gels as a comedy, while the extortion angle seems an unneeded and unamusing complication. Too bad Alan Hale's typically jovial character doesn't get more screen time. The real problem, however, is with the slack direction. Whatever deCordova's skills as director of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, they don't show here. Instead, there's no needed snap or drive to heighten the slender comedic effect. Thus, the movie unfolds in strictly pedestrian fashion.
All in all, the movie's chief attraction may be in seeing some well-known 40's actors playing outside their usual stereotypes. Certainly, it's a chance to catch the one-&-only Greenstreet doing something besides sitting in a chair and looking gruffly sinister.
Most of the comedy comes from the mix-up of true identities. Seems poor Wilson doesn't know who anyone really is. Greenstreet's both tough and amiable, which helps create the proper tongue-in-cheek mood, while Clark manages a regular guy attitude to go along with his blue-collar looks. Plus, Vickers is drop-dead beautiful, but has a very waspish attitude. Her barbs with Wilson, however, lend humorous grit to the proceedings. But the movie never really gels as a comedy, while the extortion angle seems an unneeded and unamusing complication. Too bad Alan Hale's typically jovial character doesn't get more screen time. The real problem, however, is with the slack direction. Whatever deCordova's skills as director of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, they don't show here. Instead, there's no needed snap or drive to heighten the slender comedic effect. Thus, the movie unfolds in strictly pedestrian fashion.
All in all, the movie's chief attraction may be in seeing some well-known 40's actors playing outside their usual stereotypes. Certainly, it's a chance to catch the one-&-only Greenstreet doing something besides sitting in a chair and looking gruffly sinister.
Pompadour...mopadour
evshapiro23 November 2021
Dane Clark's hair remains a distraction; that any leading man should look like a cheap $5.00 party wig was provided as part of costuming/makeup shall forever remain a mystery. Whenever Dane appeared on screen it would appear a pompadour was glued about his head. Of the many romance comedies on TCM from the 1930s and 40s, this singular distraction of a leading man is comical in its own right.
More Like That Way to Silliness...With Women **1/2
edwagreen23 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Really nice seeing Sydney Greenstreet and Dane Clark giving their best in this 1947 comedy.
Greenstreet as the wealthy tycoon has never been funnier when he is talked into retirement from his auto Detroit firm and moves to the sunny skies of California. Bored and easily manipulated by his doctor, Sydney goes into partnership with Clark in a gas station. Pretty soon gangsters try to shake them down and the nonsense really begins since Greenstreet is using his chef's name.
Martha Vickers was given the role as Sydney's snooty daughter, becoming involved with Craig Stevens, who is working with the gangsters unknown to all.
The story becomes quite inane and it's hard for a film to succeed when the writing suffers.
Greenstreet as the wealthy tycoon has never been funnier when he is talked into retirement from his auto Detroit firm and moves to the sunny skies of California. Bored and easily manipulated by his doctor, Sydney goes into partnership with Clark in a gas station. Pretty soon gangsters try to shake them down and the nonsense really begins since Greenstreet is using his chef's name.
Martha Vickers was given the role as Sydney's snooty daughter, becoming involved with Craig Stevens, who is working with the gangsters unknown to all.
The story becomes quite inane and it's hard for a film to succeed when the writing suffers.
Charming little film
mls418221 November 2021
This is a very pleasant film and the leads make it worth watching. It isn't a belly laugh comedy. As with a lot if actors that excel at drama, they don't have a flair for comedy or timing. In this case, it doesn't ruin the film.
Predicable comedy with fun cast.
mark.waltz21 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Wealthy Sydney Greenstreet poses as his gardener and buys into a gas station with Dane Clark out of shear boredom and decides to play matchmaker with Clark and his pretty daughter, Martha Vickers. But when Greensteret and Clark get into trouble with the law, thanks to the machinations of a protection racket, Greenstreet has lots of 'splannin' to do as his true identity is revealed.
Clark and Vickers are a well-matched screen team, and Greenstreet is perfect in the role of meddling matchmaker usually essayed by Charles Coburn. This old mister fix-it role is a part that goes back to the silent days, and has been the stock in trade of such other actors as George Arliss, Lionel Barrymore and Edward Arnold for years. Greenstreet is very good, particularly in scenes where he fights his butler, doctor, and other advisers who try and control him for the benefits of his health. Alan Hale has a good small role as Greenstreet's gardener who is the only person around him (other than Clark) who just lets him be and doesn't try to control his diet or other desires.
The comedy moves a bit slowly at times and almost seems like a rip-off of "The Devil and Miss Jones" (1941, Jean Arthur and Charles Coburn). It's innocuous entertainment that is fine if you're not familiar with the formula, but may be dull if you are. Still, it's unoffensive and sometimes amusing.
Clark and Vickers are a well-matched screen team, and Greenstreet is perfect in the role of meddling matchmaker usually essayed by Charles Coburn. This old mister fix-it role is a part that goes back to the silent days, and has been the stock in trade of such other actors as George Arliss, Lionel Barrymore and Edward Arnold for years. Greenstreet is very good, particularly in scenes where he fights his butler, doctor, and other advisers who try and control him for the benefits of his health. Alan Hale has a good small role as Greenstreet's gardener who is the only person around him (other than Clark) who just lets him be and doesn't try to control his diet or other desires.
The comedy moves a bit slowly at times and almost seems like a rip-off of "The Devil and Miss Jones" (1941, Jean Arthur and Charles Coburn). It's innocuous entertainment that is fine if you're not familiar with the formula, but may be dull if you are. Still, it's unoffensive and sometimes amusing.
An Undiscovered Classic
tr-8349529 March 2019
It seems reviewers look for the major stars and the big laughs -- and if they don't find them, relegate a film to 'B' status. This film has no leading man/leading woman who was a glamour aficionado, but it doesn't need one. The strength of this film lies in the plot, the solid acting by the principals, and the powerful entertainment value the film provides to the audience.
I saw this film for the first time last night and was dumbstruck by how good it was. Rather than downloading current movies to my DVR and being surprised by how bad they were and then deleting them, when watching "That Way With Women" I was thoroughly entertained. This is another classic movie that is not well known today -- perhaps because it was not an MGM property, or perhaps it wasn't distributed well at the time to get publicity. Who knows? But I do know this is a gem and it would be well worth your time to watch and enjoy this classic from 1947.
I saw this film for the first time last night and was dumbstruck by how good it was. Rather than downloading current movies to my DVR and being surprised by how bad they were and then deleting them, when watching "That Way With Women" I was thoroughly entertained. This is another classic movie that is not well known today -- perhaps because it was not an MGM property, or perhaps it wasn't distributed well at the time to get publicity. Who knows? But I do know this is a gem and it would be well worth your time to watch and enjoy this classic from 1947.
Too Much
boblipton28 September 2010
This post-war remake of the George Arliss comedy, THE MILLIONAIRE, tries to do a little too much with a little too by-the-numbers story and, as a result, doesn't give the audience much in the way of laughs. To the basic plot of Greenstreet being a retired magnate who buys a garage in partnership with Dane Clark in order to have something to do, is added daughter Martha Vickers' boyfriend, a hood running a protection racket. This gives Miss Vickers more to do than wait for her scenes with Greenstreet and Clark. However, while they increase the screen time, and makes the plot a bit more interesting -- well, who needs much of a plot in a well-performed comedy?
And that's where this movie fails to shine. Greenstreet is fine in his role -- although I do prefer Arliss' lazy slyness in the role -- but neither Clark nor Vickers seem to have anything in the way of comedy chops. Only Alan Hale manages any laughs in his brief scenes. A waste of time.
And that's where this movie fails to shine. Greenstreet is fine in his role -- although I do prefer Arliss' lazy slyness in the role -- but neither Clark nor Vickers seem to have anything in the way of comedy chops. Only Alan Hale manages any laughs in his brief scenes. A waste of time.
Womens Lib *Started* in the *40s* -- A Nice Little B-movie
CorumJI17 May 2003
This flick is a nice little post-war B-movie, with a John Garfield clone and Sidney Greenstreet.
Greg Wilson is a veteran, back and looking for something to do with his life. He meets up with J.P.Alden (Greenstreet), who offers to help him with his dream of owning a service station. In return, Alden only asks that he be allowed to help around the station.
Complications ensue, involving Alden's daughter, as Alden's true identity and situation become clear. Not "funny" complications, but a pleasant, "slice-of-life" sort.
I consider it particularly interesting because of the contrast of women's roles in this film and that of "Mother Is a Freshman" only two years later.
In this film, the female lead is spunky, self-assured, and fully capable... think Joan Crawford without the b**** attitude. Her clothing is loose and flowing, hair down and easy to care for, and her shoes are practical -- you could see her breaking into a run if the situation called for it.
In MIaF, however, we have a woman, played by Loretta Young, who is her polar opposite, and a precursor to 50s housewife "role model" -- helpless without a man, in tight skirts and high heels and with a Kim Novak type hairstyle that you would have to spend 3 days a week at the hairdressers to keep remotely decent looking.
I saw them back to back on a "classics" movie channel many years back, and the contrast made me particularly aware that Women's Lib did not *begin* in the 1960s, in fact it was simply *backpedalling* in the 1950s from where it had been in the 1940s.
The two together are an interesting view of the history of society which does not totally jibe with modern views of the Feminist movement, much as "Cimarron" does not gibe with modern views of Native American and Feminist relationships to society.
Greg Wilson is a veteran, back and looking for something to do with his life. He meets up with J.P.Alden (Greenstreet), who offers to help him with his dream of owning a service station. In return, Alden only asks that he be allowed to help around the station.
Complications ensue, involving Alden's daughter, as Alden's true identity and situation become clear. Not "funny" complications, but a pleasant, "slice-of-life" sort.
I consider it particularly interesting because of the contrast of women's roles in this film and that of "Mother Is a Freshman" only two years later.
In this film, the female lead is spunky, self-assured, and fully capable... think Joan Crawford without the b**** attitude. Her clothing is loose and flowing, hair down and easy to care for, and her shoes are practical -- you could see her breaking into a run if the situation called for it.
In MIaF, however, we have a woman, played by Loretta Young, who is her polar opposite, and a precursor to 50s housewife "role model" -- helpless without a man, in tight skirts and high heels and with a Kim Novak type hairstyle that you would have to spend 3 days a week at the hairdressers to keep remotely decent looking.
I saw them back to back on a "classics" movie channel many years back, and the contrast made me particularly aware that Women's Lib did not *begin* in the 1960s, in fact it was simply *backpedalling* in the 1950s from where it had been in the 1940s.
The two together are an interesting view of the history of society which does not totally jibe with modern views of the Feminist movement, much as "Cimarron" does not gibe with modern views of Native American and Feminist relationships to society.
That Way With Greenstreet
aldo-4952720 November 2021
One of the problems with this film is that the lead characters played by Dane Clark and Martha Vickers are so disagreeable that they are uttering unlikable. Generally, this trope can be used to great effect, but Clark, Vickers and the script all fail us.
What makes the film watchable is the great Sydney Greenstreet. His presence in any movie is worthy of your time and that's the case here even with a lightweight script.
What makes the film watchable is the great Sydney Greenstreet. His presence in any movie is worthy of your time and that's the case here even with a lightweight script.
surprisingly good
SnoopyStyle21 November 2021
James P. Alden (Sydney Greenstreet) is a frustrated auto tycoon. He has been forced to retire by his family and his doctor. They moved to an estate in California from his Detroit factory. His daughter Marcia (Martha Vickers) is throwing a society party. Greg Wilson (Dane Clark) is a working man attending the party and won't stop complaining about the social ills of the rich which annoys Marcia to no end. She is pursued by the dashing Carter Andrews (Craig Stevens). Mr. Alden decides to buy a gas station in secret just to get back to work. It turns out to be only half of a gas station as he becomes a partner with Greg Wilson. Greg reveals his hatred of the Aldens and Mr. Alden quickly lies about his identity.
It's a fun comedy which surprised me a little. I like the sitcom misunderstandings and I love Greenstreet in the role. The two younger leads could be better but they are functional enough. They could improve if they have more time together. Even the short manufactured time at the ball game is enough for them to build chemistry. It's a fun comedy and I actual laughed during the fight. I love the bit where she calls out the guys' names. This seems to be another version based on the same Saturday Evening Post story. I wouldn't mind another one for the modern times.
It's a fun comedy which surprised me a little. I like the sitcom misunderstandings and I love Greenstreet in the role. The two younger leads could be better but they are functional enough. They could improve if they have more time together. Even the short manufactured time at the ball game is enough for them to build chemistry. It's a fun comedy and I actual laughed during the fight. I love the bit where she calls out the guys' names. This seems to be another version based on the same Saturday Evening Post story. I wouldn't mind another one for the modern times.
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