The Lady Says No is a 1952 American film directed by Frank Ross (producer) with sequences filmed at Fort Ord, Pebble Beach, California and Carmel, California.

Plot summary

David Niven plays a globe-trotting author and photographer on assignment from LIFE magazine to do a photo story on best-selling author of the title book, "The Lady Says 'No'," Joan Caulfield. Rather than finding a dour spinster, as he expects, she is a young, attractive blonde, who finds her published theories against love and men set on their head.
The unbidden thoughts and impulses even invade her subconscious, in a fascinating dream sequence.
It is a battle of the sexes, and the Id, ego and super-ego and Ego (spirituality), as the two clash.
He tries to show her that her book is "all rot"; while she tries to prove her theories that love is just an Autonomic nervous system function, which isn't really worth it.
They find that they all have a lot to learn, and forgive. It looks like sometimes the answer is "no", and sometimes "yes".
Mayhem follows, when her errant Uncle returns, and they get pulled into the lives of the colorful local characters.
It all ends in a barroom brawl, with the police, army, and General trying to restore order.
File:The Lady Says No (1951) David Niven Joan Caufield..jpg
The New York Times critic agreed with David Niven's "trenchant observation [in the film], 'This went out with silent pictures!' Yes, indeed." But, it's still fun.
Among supporting roles are James Robertson Justice as her errant Irish uncle, Henry Jones (actor) as a charming army sergeant, and Lenore Lonergan as his wife, caught up in all the confusion.

Cast

• Joan Caulfield as Dorinda Hatch
• David Niven as Bill Shelby
• James Robertson Justice as Matthew Hatch
• Lenore Lonergan as Goldie
• Frances Bavier as Aunt Alice Hatch
• Peggy Maley as Midge
• Henry Jones (actor) as Potsy
• Jeff York as Goose
• George Davis (actor) as Warf Rat Bartender
• Robert Williams (actor born 1904) as General Schofield
• Mary Lawrence (actor) as Mary

See also

Down With Love (2003, Film)


Category:1952 films
Category:American films
Category:English-language films
Category:Black-and-white films
Category:1950s comedy films
Category:American comedy films