THE TRUTH ABOUT WOMEN

UK, 1957, 107 minutes, Colour.
Laurence Harvey, Julie Harris, Diane Cilento, Mai Zetterling, Eva Gabor, Michael Denison, Derek Farr, Roland Culver, Wilfrid Hyde White, Christopher Lee, Marius Goring, Thorley Walters, Ernest Thesiger, Griffith Jones.
Directed by Muriel Box.

The Truth About Women is a piece of elegant fluff from Britain in the late '50S. It is the work (screenplay, production and direction) of the team of Sydney and Muriel Box. It is an episodic story, giving the opportunity for the action to roam about the elegant places of the world. It is aided by lavish colour photography, sets and decor, costumes by Cecil Beaton.

Laurence Harvey is somewhat sombre, even in his humour, as the hero. However, the women are attractive in their own way - Diane Cilento as the suffragette, Julie Harris as the shy artist, Mai Zetterling as the sympathetic Julie. There is an excellent supporting cast of British character actors and actresses.

1. A pleasing comedy or manners? A British comedy? The '50s looking back at the turn of-the century?

2. Production values: the range of settings, periuds? International flavour? Affluence and elegance? The touch ur the exotic? Costumes and decor? Musical score? The range of stars and character actors and actresses?

3. The title and the theme of the relationships between men and women? The complementarity of men and women? The battle of the sexes? A man's viewpoint? The touch of chauvinism and its acceptance?

4. .The structure of the film: the basic situation, Sir Humphrey persuading his son-in-law to understand his daughter? The flashbacks of explanation? The tracing of Sir Humphrey's life and experience? His ageing? Naivety to experience? An illustrated view of women?

5. Humphrey - in himself: British, pompous, titled, wealthy, his expectations of himself? The heritage of Empire and the 19th century? The attraction towards Ambrosine, the clash with her and her suffragette thinking, free love? The influence of his parents, the expectations of his Public Service career? His note for Ambrosine, giving it to his uncle and his uncle's untimely death? The break with Ambrosine? His going abroad, his infatuation with Saida? The atmosphere of the East, slave markets, the harem? His invasion of the harem to rescue Saida? His friendship with Rollo-and his continued advice? His sojourn in France, the patronage of the Countess, the infatuation with Louise, her husband, high society, the challenge to the duel, the duel itself, death? The parody on honour? Duels and intrigues? The visit to America, the encounter with the attractive American girl, her money-seeking mother? The encounter with Helen in the lift, her art, giving her advice when stuck.in.the lift, his admiration for her, marriage, family, her untimely death? Otto's visit and his iscovering her art - and the busyness of her life? The encounter with Julie, her elegance, social place, the potential scandal, the court case, her loving him and sacrificing herself for him? His marriage to Ambrosine?

6. The portrait of Ambrosine, the frankly-spoken suffragette, the suggestion to their living together, her being hurt by his not writing? Her forgiving him, their marriage?

7. The atmosphere of the East, the slave girl, the harem, the being waited on by the exotic eastern beauty? His rescue attempt and the parody of costumer action films?

8. His experience in France, the aristocracy, the Countess and her patronage, Loulse, the affair, honour? Christopher Lee as the offended husband? The elaborate action of the duel?

9. The visit to the United States, his failing in love, the greedy mother?

10. Julie Harris's delicacy as Helen, her quandary in the lift, her marriage to Sir Humphrey, her devotion to him, the busy life she led, the family, her paintings - and her unfulfilled career? The visit of Otto and his reflection on her art? Julie and her love for Humphrey, the possibility of marriage, her husband being a cad, his taking her to court, the humiliation in the court, the conduct of the case, Julie's decision and her selfsacrifice?

12. Rollo and his continued friendship, advice, in the courts?

13. The comic style of the film? Its lightness and elegance? Insight through a comedy of manners?