The Battle Of The Sexes

Rating:
Summary: Witty Tale of Wanderings & Wiles
Review: A wealthy middle-aged businessman with the perfect family submits to the charms and the flattery of a gold digging flapper. But who's playing whom?

Certainly Marie the gold digger (Phyllis Haver) has an agenda with Mr. Judson (a blindsided, smitten Jean Hersholt). But no more than does oily, conniving Babe Winsor (Don Alverado) with his ladyfriend Marie. Babe is well aware of Marie's winning ways but doesn't care to submit to them personally. (Marie charmingly refers to him as 'perfumed ice'). The plan is to bilk the unsuspecting Mr. Judson out of a small fortune, then go their merry way.

As this plays out under Griffith's hand we're treated to high hilarity, moving pathos, tense melodrama, insightful confrontations and more. Griffith's timing is terrific. Comedy is balanced with serious moments, actions have interesting repercussions. There's a few double entendres and one or two lusty love scenes, but also some downright touching moments of honest, true affection and familial closeness.

Preconceptions fly out the window. With whom should we sympathize? The bamboozled Mr. Judson who battles middle-aged spread and falls for lines like, 'you remind me of Napoleon, from the eyebrows up'? Perhaps, until he tosses aside his family in order to 'live his life his own way' (very Dr. Phil sounding) and make an absolute fool of himself over Marie, devastating his family in the process. His elegant, softhearted wife (Belle Bennett) considers suicide, driving his distraught teenaged daughter (Sally O'Neill) to confront Marie and beg her to 'leave Daddy alone' while pointing a revolver in her general direction. And should we hate Marie for the damage she's done? Despite her questionable ethics she's an engaging, independent soul with a keen sense of humor, a charming offhand manner, and an endearing weakness for her wily no-good boyfriend. Then it's Babe's fault, him with his corrupting influence ...? But he's so suave and ultra smooth women WOULD fawn all over him while jumping to do his bidding.

This less than cut and dry, non-stereotypical approach to a story of faithlessness and deception prompted mixed reactions among the critics of the day. Photoplay called THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES a 'light-heavyweight drama' adding that it was 'worthwhile'. Louella Parsons said it was 'a popular success,' and Film Daily said, 'Griffith's reputation as a box-office director can stand more like this one.' Welford Beaton in The Film Spectator remarked, 'I think it is the best picture he (Griffith) has ever made. The picture is a splendid one, human and entertaining, and that is all that matters.' However the Herald-Tribune did not agree, calling it a 'third-rate sex drama'; Variety warned viewers that they 'are slated for disappointment, almost shock'; and Motion Picture Classic's comment was (you've got to love this) 'it's all about triangles gone whoopee'.

I believe Motion Picture Magazine summed it up best. Their comment: 'there is plenty to amuse and interest you.' That's about all you can ask of a movie.


Rating:
Summary: DVD Is A Better Buy.
Review: The DVD version of this feature is the same as the video. The DVD is a better buy because the picture is marginally better and you can freeze frame Phyllis Haver while she's standing on top of the piano (an unparalled bit of 20's cheesecake). D.W. Griffith & Co. never imagined that 75 years later people could watch their movies frame by frame.

Rating:
Summary: D.W. Griffith has a soul
Review: Though cynical, this shows D.W. Griffith had a soul. This movie shows the destruction of a family. Their middle aged father throws it all away for a pretty gold digger who obviously could care less about him. This role is deliciously played by Phyllis Haver and the scene with her and a piano has to be seen to believe. The best part of the movie is the hurt displayed by the family when they uncover their father's lies. The daughter (Sally O'Neil) is the best thing of this movie. She gives it the touch of innocence it needs. Looking at her in still photographs she looks like a Gloria Swanson look alike. Her type of beauty is not captured by photos.