HIRED WIFE

US, 1940, 96 minutes, Black and White.
Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne, Virginia Bruce, Robert Benchley, John Carroll.
Directed by William A. Seiter.

Hired Wife is a star vehicle for Rosalind Russell. It is one of those screwball comedies of the late '30s and early '40s which were so popular - the professional woman, the battle of the sexes. Rosalind Russell walks through this kind of film with great authority. Brian Aherne is the gentlemanly businessman. Virginia Bruce has glamour, John Carroll impersonates an Argentinian playboy and Robert Benchley is there for some extra comedy.

The film reflects the attitudes and the entertainment values of the period.

1.Enjoyable comedy? Americana? Battle of the sexes? The tradition of the screwball comedies?

2.Black and white photography, New York settings, the world of business? Musical score?

3.The title, the implications? The humour?

4.Kendall as the professional businesswoman, the efficient secretary? Her friendship with Jose? His previous proposals? Her devotion to Steven? His work, her work? His wanting Phyllis for the advertising campaign, her reaction, double-dealings - and it all coming back on her? Steven's need to get a wife for business matters? Her interview with Phyllis and Phyllis's refusal? Her stepping in, her making demands, paying Jose to court Phyllis? The mix-ups? The possibility of an annulment? The final realisation of who loved whom?

5.Steven, the austere businessman, his work, cement, advertising, bankruptcy, needing to marry? His courting of Phyllis and outings with her? His marrying Kendall? His devotion to Phyllis, the gradual realisation of what Kendall had done, in love with her?

6.Phyllis, glamour, advertising? Flattered by Steven, out with him? Clashing with Kendall? The dinner with Jose, attracted to him? The final resolution? Jose as the stereotype of the South American, acting as playboy, his attractiveness to Phyllis? The final resolution?

7.Van Horne, his financial advice, legal advice? His help with the marriage, annulment? The business associates and their pressure on Steven?

8.Situations, humorous lines, ironies? Status of men and women in the early '40s? Battle of the sexes?