A Woman’s Face (1941)

A female blackmailer with a disfiguring facial scar meets a plastic surgeon who offers her the possibility of looking like a normal woman.

Director: George Cukor
Cast: Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas, Conrad Veidt, Osa Massen, Reginald Owen, Albert Bassermann, Marjorie Main, Donald Meek, Connie Gilchrist, Richard Nichols, Charles Quigley, Gwili Andre, Clifford Brooke, George Zucco, Henry Kolker, Robert Warrick, Gilbert Emery, Henry Daniell, Sarah Padden, William Farnum, Hauk Aabel, Veda Buckland, Naomi Childers, Doris Day, William Edmunds, Rex Evans, Robert C. Flasher, Gary Gray, Sherry Hall, Mahlon Hamilton

"A Woman's Face" is a film that shows George Cukor, one of the best film directors of all times, at the top of his profession. In fact, this film precedes probably his "Gaslight", which might be one of his best movies he directed. The screen play is by another man who had a knack for adapting theater material for the screen, Donald Ogden Stewart. The combination of both these men give the viewer a film with a rich texture.
This film belongs to Joan Crawford, who carries it with style and panache. This role ranks as one of the most complex Ms. Crawford ever played in the movies. Her characterization was molded by Mr. Cukor who clearly understood how to get a good performance from his star. In fact, Ana Holm, is one of the best things Ms. Crawford portrayed in the movies and she is seen without the excessive makeup.
Conrad Veidt is also one of the assets of the film. He is perfect for his part and holds his own playing against Joan Crawford. Melvyn Douglas, on the other hand, doesn't fare as well, perhaps because of the way his character is written. There are also wonderful performances by Richard Nicholas who is seen as the young boy Lars-Erik. Marjorie Main. Osa Masser, and Reginald Owen are seen in supporting roles.

IMDb