That Way with Women *** (1947, Dane Clark, Martha Vickers, Sydney Greenstreet, Alan Hale Sr, Craig Stevens, Barbara Brown) – Classic Movie Review 13,903

The 1947 romantic comedy drama film That Way with Women is based on the story Idle Hands by Earl Derr Biggers (the creator of Charlie Chan), and stars Dane Clark, Martha Vickers and Sydney Greenstreet in a delightful rare comedy role.

Director Frederick de Cordova’s 1947 Warner Bros American black and white romantic comedy drama film That Way with Women stars Dane Clark, Martha Vickers, Sydney Greenstreet, Alan Hale Sr, Craig Stevens and Barbara Brown, It is based on the 1921 Saturday Evening Post story Idle Hands by Earl Derr Biggers (the creator of Charlie Chan), with a screenplay by Leo Townsend and Francis Swann.

Sydney Greenstreet stars as bored millionaire automobile industry tycoon James P Alden, who impulsively decides to buy a garage in secret to get back to work after being forced to retire by his family and his doctor. However, he has only half an interest in the garage and becomes a partner in the business with young Greg Wilson (Dane Clark).

Alden assumes a false identity when he joins Greg in running the business, while he helps him to romance his daughter Marcia (Martha Vickers), who is being pursued by the dashing Carter Andrews (Craig Stevens)

This rather lame remake of George Arliss’s 1931 classic film The Millionaire foolishly focuses on Clark’s fairly dull performance and not enough on the compelling and entertaining Greenstreet in a delightful rare comedy role.

Nevertheless, That Way with Women is still good spirited and generally quite amusing, and has its laughs at times and certainly its charms, with Martha Vickers, Alan Hale Sr, Craig Stevens and Barbara Brown all coming up with enjoyable performances. And, above all, it is valuable as a comedy showcase for Sydney Greenstreet.

Running time: 84 minutes.

Release date: March 29, 1947.

Cast: Dane Clark as Greg Wilson, Martha Vickers as Marcia Alden, Sydney Greenstreet as James P Alden, Alan Hale Sr as Herman Brinker, Craig Stevens as Carter Andrews, Barbara Brown as Minerva Alden, Don McGuire as Slade, John Ridgely as Sam, Richard Erdman as Eddie, Herbert Anderson as Melvyn Pfeiffer, Howard Freeman as Dr. Harvey, Ian Wolfe as L.B. Crandall, Olaf Hytten as Davis, Joe Devlin as Police Desk Sergeant, Clifton Young as Irate Baseball Fan, Charles Arnt as Harry Miller, Suzi Crandall as First Party Girl, Janet Murdoch as Alice Green, Creighton Hale as Briggs, Philo McCullough as Hawkins, Jack Mower as Deacon, Jane Harker as Angela, Monte Blue as MacPherson.

That Way with Women is directed by Frederick de Cordova, runs 84 minutes, is made and released by Warner Bros, is written by Leo Townsend and Francis Swann, based on the story Idle Hands by Earl Derr Biggers, is shot in black and white by Ted D McCord, is produced by Charles Hoffman, and is scored by Frederick Hollander.

© Derek Winnert 2026 – Classic Movie Review 13,903

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