The Gentle Sex

The Gentle Sex - 1943 | 92mins | Comedy, Drama | B&W

The Production Team

Director: Leslie Howard and Maurice Elvey.
Producer: Derrick De Marney and Leslie Howard.
Script: Moie Charles. (additional dialogue by Aimée Stuart) Narration "Observations of a Mere Man" by Aimée Stuart.
Cinematography: Cyril J. Knowles and Robert Krasker.
Editing: Charles Saunders.
Art Direction: Andrew Munro.
Sound Department: Charles Tasto and A.W. Watkins.
Original Music: John Greenwood.

The Cast

Joan Gates - Gwen Hayden
Jean Gillie - Dot Hopkins
Joan Greenwood - Betty Miller
Joyce Howard - Anne Lawrence
Rosamund John - Maggie Fraser
Lilli Palmer - Erna Debruski
Barbara Waring - Joan Simpson
John Justin - Flying Officer David Sheridan
Mary Jerrold - Mrs. Sheridan
John Laurie - Cpl. Alexander Balfour
Elliott Mason - Mrs. Fraser
Harry Welchman - Capt. Ferrier
Miles Malleson - Railway Guard

Plot Synopsis

Documentary-style propaganda vehicle charting the experiences of seven women who join the ATS. Shortly after release, narrator and co-director Leslie Howard was killed when the Luftwaffe shot down his plane whilst on a secret mission to Portugal.

During WWII, seven women who volunteer to join the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service). From many varied backgrounds, the women quickly form a bond and become friends. They are then posted to various jobs, some of them in the same place, some of them separated. As they encounter each other, tensions begin to show and the group becomes divided.