A Woman of Distinction (1950): Cast & Plot
A Woman of Distinction is a 1950 comedy directed by Edward Buzzell, starring Edmund Gwenn as J.D. Middlecott, Ray Milland and Mary Jane Saunders. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 25m (85 min)
- Director
- Edward Buzzell
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is A Woman of Distinction About?
The premise of A Woman of Distinction without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Ice‑cold dean Susan Middlecott denies romance. British astronomy lecturer Alec Stevenson, touring North America, returns a sentimental token she gave him. Publicist Teddy Evans spins the meeting into a headline romance. Their attempts to suppress the story only intensify intrigue, entangling matters.
A Woman of Distinction Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- 1950s
- college dean
- astronomy
- astronomer
- publicity
- college
- dean
- north america
- publicity stunt
- astronomy professor
- exercising in bed
- raccoon tail
+38 more Show fewer
- cameo appearance
- man wears a derby
- hot rod
- locket
- refracting telescope
- resigning from job
- broken bicycle
- reading a newspaper
- pushed into a lake
- boston massachusetts
- sprayed with water
- breakfast in bed
- home observatory
- road construction
- riding on handle bars of a bicycle
- woman carrying her pet dog
- ballroom dancing
- woman smoking
- lockheed constellation
- senior prom
- postage stamp machine
- riding a bicycle
- benton herald newspaper
- woman hits a man with her purse
- riding a train
- benton connecticut
- scandal
- picture on front page of newspaper
- antenna topper
- racing on a country road
- playing croquet
- adopted daughter
- gossip
- mob of reporters
- mud poltice
- bicycle motor
- spontaneous kiss
- key in bra
A Woman of Distinction Cast & Characters
Edmund Gwenn leads the cast as J.D. Middlecott, with Ray Milland as Alexander "Alec" Stevenson and Mary Jane Saunders as Louisa Middlecott. Directed by Edward Buzzell; 27 actors are credited in all.
- Director Edward Buzzell
-
Edmund Gwenn as J.D. Middlecott -
Ray Milland as Alexander "Alec" Stevenson - Mary Jane Saunders as Louisa Middlecott
- Janis Carter as Teddy Evans
Also Starring in A Woman of Distinction
· 23 more- Rosalind Russell Susan Manning Middlecott
- Lucille Ball Themselves
- Helene Stanley Minor Role (uncredited)
- Donald Kerr Reporter
- Harry Tyler Cabbie
- Al Bridge Editor
- Marie Blake Wax Operator
- Mira McKinney Member
- Gail Bonney Margaret - Bicycler
- Harry Cheshire Train Steward
- Francis Lederer Paul Simone
- Clifton Young Chet
- Wanda McKay Merle - Shop Girl
- Gale Gordon Postal Clerk
- Jerome Courtland Jerome
- Richard Bartell Reporter
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Lucile Browne Manicurist
- Nan Boardman Alice
- Larry Barton Reporter
- Mary Ellen Kay
- Mona Knox
- Leslie Banning
- Wilda Bieber
More from Edward Buzzell
More films directed by Edward Buzzell: Ain't Misbehavin', Confidentially Connie, Neptune’s Daughter and Song of the Thin Man.
A Woman of Distinction Plot Summary
What happens in A Woman of Distinction from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Born to a wealthy and well‑respected New England family, Susan Manning Middlecott Rosalind Russell grows up under the gaze of success. She pours herself into study, earning a bachelor’s, a master’s, and a doctorate, and then forges a career as a teacher. When World War II breaks out, she enlists and remains after the war to care for French orphans, embodying a sense of duty that becomes the cornerstone of her life. Upon her return, she ascends to the role of dean at Benton College in New England, and that position becomes her entire world. She shares a home with her father, Mark, and raises their adopted daughter, Louisa [Mary Jane Saunders], a bond that further anchors her in a life of discipline, achievement, and public respect.
Full summary
The whole story of A Woman of Distinction, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know A Woman of Distinction?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrayed Susan Manning Middlecott?
Cars in A Woman of Distinction
13 cars on screen, including the Ford Roadster and the Ford unknown.
-
Ford Roadster Important role -
Ford unknown Important role -
1936 De Soto Airstream Minor role -
1946 Ford Super De Luxe Minor role
A Woman of Distinction Also Known As
Also known as “Lo scandalo della sua vita”.
- Also known as
-
- Lo scandalo della sua vita
Seen A Woman of Distinction?
Movies Like A Woman of Distinction
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including What a Woman, Woman Chases Man and Woman’s World.
A Woman of Distinction FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of A Woman of Distinction, each answered in a sentence.
How long is A Woman of Distinction?
A Woman of Distinction runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).
When was A Woman of Distinction released?
A Woman of Distinction was released on March 16, 1950.
Who directed A Woman of Distinction?
A Woman of Distinction was directed by Edward Buzzell.
More films by Edward Buzzell Who is in the cast of A Woman of Distinction?
A Woman of Distinction stars Edmund Gwenn as J.D. Middlecott, Ray Milland as Alexander "Alec" Stevenson and Mary Jane Saunders as Louisa Middlecott, among 27 credited actors.
Does A Woman of Distinction have a post-credit scene?
No. A Woman of Distinction has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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