This page presents an annotated, worldwide bibliography of reviews, articles and other published material related to the 1931 film God’s Gift to Women (link to LBS filmography page). This American film includes Louise Brooks in the role of Florine. Under its American title, documented screenings of the film took place in Canada and Sweden. The film was shown in England under the title Too Many Women. Elsewhere, this motion picture was known to have been shown under other-language titles including Dar boha k ženám (Czechoslovakia); Gotten Geschenk au die Frauen (Germany); and Bóg dal za duzo kobiet (Poland).
As research is ongoing, this page is a work in progress. It is understood that any given citation comes from an American source, unless otherwise noted. The intention of this bibliography is to be both comprehensive and useful. Most citations represent a substantial review or article. Capsule reviews, or significant shorter pieces — usually a paragraph or two in length — are so noted. Entries are arranged chronologically. Critical commentary regarding Brooks, or the film as a whole (excerpted from the material cited) is given as annotations. Some citations link to the material noted: some of these links reside on the Louise Brooks Society, while others reside elsewhere on the web.
Much can be gleamed from a bibliography such as this. Besides what critics thought of the film, one can follow the path of the film’s distribution — where it showed and when; sometimes, for example, the exhibition record might reveal if the film was shown before its official release date. As well, this bibliography shows which critics at which newspapers and magazines reviewed films. History, here, is in the details.
An * indicates that a copy of this citation is held in the archives of the LBS. This annotated bibliography has been compiled by Thomas Gladysz, and was last updated in October 2015. [Help wanted: If you know of additional citations, can provide further information on entries noted on this page, or can provide copies of citations not marked with an * but which are known to exist, please contact the LBS. The LBS would like to acquire additional material on the screening of this film.]
GOD’S GIFT TO WOMEN
released April 15, 1931
anonymous. “Comedian of Stage to Lead Girl Show.” Reno Evening Gazette, January 17, 1931. *
— article in Reno, Nevada newspaper
anonymous. “God’s Gift in Bad Taste.” Hollywood Reporter, March 3, 1931. *
— review in trade journal
Churchill, Edward. “New Product.” Motion Picture Herald, March 14, 1931. *
— review in trade journal
A., S. “At Palace.” Cleveland Press, April 17, 1931. *
—review in Cleveland, Ohio newspaper
Boehnel, William. “God’s Gift to Women Follows Familiar Lines.” New York World-Telegram, April 17, 1931. *
— review in New York City newspaper
Shawell, Julia. “Screen Views.” Evening Graphic, April 17, 1931. *
—review in New York City newspaper
Thirer, Irene. “Globe Film Wins Rating of 2 1/2 Stars; God’s Gift to Women Gets 2.” New York Post, April 17, 1931. *
— ” . . . a good cast.” – review in New York City newspaper
anonymous. “Amorous Fluff Amusing at Warner Bros.” San Francisco Chronicle, April 18, 1931. *
— “The picture is a bit of fluff, but it is amusing and is well produced.” – review in San Francisco, California newspaper
Gagos, Hubert. “Frank Fay Plays Suave Lover in New Film Comedy.” San Francisco News, April 18, 1931. *
— “Ethlyne Clair, Louise Brooks and Yola D’Avril are quite convincing as Fay’s former paramours.” – review in San Francisco, California newspaper
S., A. D. “Fun in France.” New York Times, April 18, 1931. *
— “. . . . and Joan Blondell, Louise Brooks and Yola D’Avril figure prominently among the feminine admirers.” – review in New York City newspaper
Shackleton, Walter D. “Just God’s Gift.” Morning Telegraph, April 18, 1931. *
— review in New York City newspaper
anonymous. “Projection Jottings.” New York Times, April 19, 1931. *
— “Louise Brooks and Tyrrell Davis are prominent in the large assemblage of supporting players.” – brief review in New York City newspaper
Marsh, W. Ward. “Palace Has God’s Gift to Women, Amusing Farce Which Stars Frank Fay.” Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 19, 1931. *
— “Louise Brooks (returning to the screen in a comparatively minor role) . . . .” – article in Cleveland, Ohio newspaper
anonymous. “Reviews of the New Films.” Film Daily, April 19, 1931. *
— capsule review; “Merry French farce with amusing plot and deft comedy work by Frank Fay, fine feminine support and good direction.”
anonymous. “Frank Fay as Don Juan at Warner.” San Francisco Examiner, April 19, 1931. *
— “The cast is notable . . . . Joan Blondell, the blonde, and Louise Brooks, the brunette, are prominent among the principals.” – review in San Francisco, California newspaper
Dickstein, Martin. “The Cinema Circuit.” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 20, 1931. *
— “. . . . the other roles are agreeably played by Louise Brooks, Yola D’Avril, Joan Blondell and Charles Winninger.” – review in New York City newspaper
Watts Jr., Richard. “On the Screen.” New York Herald Tribune, April 20, 1931. *
— “. . . . a thin farce.” – review in New York City newspaper
anonymous. “Louise Brooks in Warner Picture Here Next Friday.” Los Angeles Daily Illustrated News, April 21, 1931. *
— brief article in Los Angeles, California newspaper
Delehanty, Thonton. “The New Film.” New York Post, April 21, 1931. *
— “The humor is in the style of the hackneyed French farce, so hackneyed that it is paralyzingly awful.” – review in New York City newspaper
Pelswick, Rose. “Frank Fay as Irrestible Heart-Breaker Enlivens Slim Movie Story.” New York Evening Journal, April 21, 1931. *
— review in New York City newspaper
Bige. “God’s Gift to Women.” Variety, April 22, 1931. *
— review; ” . . . is no gift to audiences.”
anonymous. “Enright Theatre.” Jewish Criterion, April 24, 1931. *
— Louise Brooks is referenced in article in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania publication
anonymous. “Four New Films Open Today.” Los Angeles Record, April 24, 1931. *
— article in Los Angeles, California newspaper
G., R. “Mr. Fay’s Gift.” Wall Street Journal, April 24, 1931. *
— review in New York City newspaper
anonymous. “Theater News and Reviews.” Marion Star, April 25, 1931. *
— article in Marion, Ohio newspaper
Hoffman, Jerry. “Program Pairs Farce Comedy and Golf Talk.” Los Angeles Examiner, April 25, 1931. *
— ” . . . seems to be an album of Hollywood’s beautiful women. There are Joan Blondell, Louise Brooks, . . . .” – review in Los Angeles, California newspaper
Mines, Harry. “Bobby Jones Reeler Clicks.” Los Angeles Daily Illustrated News, April 25, 1931. *
— “All the girls in the cast have the opportunity to wear beautiful clothes and look their vamnpiest. They are Laura LaPlante, Marguerite Livingston, Yola D’Avril, Louise Brooks, Joan Blondell,, Ethelyn Claire and the Sisters ‘G’.” – review in Los Angeles, California newspaper
Oliver, W. E. “Fay Proves Facetious Casanova at Warners.” Los Angeles Evening Herald, April 25, 1931. *
— “Others who are easy to the eye are Joan Blondell, Louise Brooks, . . . .” – review in Los Angeles, California newspaper
Strauss, H. David. “God’s Gift to Women.” Billboard, April 25, 1931. *
— review; “A cast of feminine lovelies surrounds the star, including Louise Brooks . . . . ”
anonymous. “Current and Coming Features at the Movies.” St. Louis Globe Democrat, April 26, 1931. *
— “Others in the cast include Louise Brooks.” – article in St. Louis, Missouri newspaper
Jones, Ralph T. “Paramount Shows Western, Comedy.” Atlanta Constitution, April 26, 1931. *
— brief review in Atlanta, Georgia newspaper
Nie. “The Week’s New Films.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 26, 1931. *
— review in St. Louis, Missouri newspaper
Schallert, Edwin. “First Golfing Picture Clever.” Los Angeles Times, April 27, 1931. *
— “Louise Brooks and Yola D’Avril participate zestfully in this conflict.” – review in Los Angeles, California newspaper
Starr, Jimmy. “Warner’s Hollywood Has F. Fay as Modern Don Juan.” Los Angeles Evening Express, April 27, 1931. *
— “Joan Blondell, Louise Brooks and Yola D’Avril are a trio of snappy charmers.” – review in Los Angeles, California newspaper
Miles, Florence. “Paramount.” Atlanta Journal, April 28, 1931. *
— review in Atlanta, Georgia newspaper
author unknown. Herald, April ?, 1931. (United States)
— “Pure and simple farce, some of it very ordinary, and some of it full of hilarity.” – review in Syracuse, New York newspaper
author unknown. Post Standard, April ?, 1931. (United States)
— “Starts rather slowly and takes some time to get into its stride, but it’s an amusing picture, with one or two novel twists to the plot.” – review in Syracuse, New York newspaper
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women – Warners.” Photoplay, May 1931. *
— capsule review; “Worth many a laugh.”
F., D. P “Views and Reviews.” Film Mercury, May 1, 1931. *
— review in trade journal
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women, Aladdin’s New Film Is a Lively Farce.” Denver Post, May 3, 1931. *
— article in Denver, Colorado newspaper
Evans, Harry. “The Movies.” Life, May 8, 1931. *
— review; “These few amusing moments are the film’s total assets – unless you haven’t seen Louise Brooks, Joan Blondell and Yola D’Avril in their underwear.”
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women.” Hartford Daily Times, May 9, 1931. *
— article in Hartford, Connecticut newspaper
anonymous. “French Farce Opens Sunday At California.” Santa Barbara Daily News, May 9, 1931. *
— article in Santa Barbara, California newspaper
anonymous. “Fay Featured In California.” Santa Barbara Morning Press, May 10, 1931. *
— article in Santa Barbara, California newspaper
anonymous. “Metropolitan – God’s Gift to Women.” Washington Evening Star, May 10, 1931. *
— review in Washington, D.C. newspaper
Bell, Nelson B. “Metropolitan.” Washington Post, May 10, 1931. *
— review in Washington D.C. newspaper
anonymous. “Frank Fay in Comedy Film At California.” Santa Barbara Daily News, May 11, 1931. *
— article in Santa Barbara, California newspaper
anonymous. “Frank Fay Film About the Girls.” Washington Herald, May 11, 1931. *
— review in Washington, D.C. newspaper
K., H. “Frank Fay in Jolliest of Farces.” Washington Times, May 11, 1931. *
— review in Washington, D.C. newspaper
Roe, Bud. “Gossip of the Theaters.” Santa Barbara Morning Press, May 11, 1931. *
— article in Santa Barbara, California newspaper
Roe, Bud. “Gossip of the Theaters.” Santa Barbara Morning Press, May 12, 1931. *
— review in Santa Barbara, California newspaper
anonymous. “French Farce Features Fay At California.” Santa Barbara Daily News, May 13, 1931. *
— article in Santa Barbara, California newspaper
L., J. A. “God’s Gift to Women.” Dallas Morning News, May 15, 1931. *
— review in Dallas, Texas newspaper
Adams, Carl B. “Amusements.” Cincinnati Enquirer, May 18, 1931. *
— capsule review in Cincinnati, Ohio newspaper
Sien, Max. “Albee.” Cincinnati Post, May 18, 1931. *
— capsule review in Cincinnati, Ohio newspaper
anonymous. “Frank Fay Comes to New Majestic.” Santa Monica Evening Outlook, May 20, 1931. *
— article in Santa Monica, California newspaper
anonymous. “Frank Fay at Twin Houses.” Boston Post, May 25, 1931. *
— review in Chicago, Illinois newspaper
Tinee, Mae. “‘It,’ Man Movie Is Nonsense, but It Entertains.” Chicago Tribune, May 28, 1931 *
— review in Chicago, Illinois newspaper
P., K. “Dorothy Mackaill and Frank Fay Started in Pictures at Mosque.” Newark Star Eagle, June 6, 1931. *
— review in Newark, New Jersey newspaper
anonymous. “Comedy Prevails on Bill at Wigwam.” Reno Evening Gazette, June 6, 1931. *
— brief write-up in Reno, Nevada newspaper
anonymous. “Hilarious Comedy At Wigwam Now.” Nevada State Journal, June 7, 1931. *
— article in Reno, Nevada newspaper
anonymous. “Baxter and Bennett Make Fine Love Team for Doctor’s Wives.” Zanesville Signal, June 14, 1931. *
— article in Zanesville, Ohio newspaper
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women.” The Bioscope, June 17, 1931. (England) *
— capsule review
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women New Capitol Offering.” Sacramento Bee, June 17, 1931. *
— short review in Sacramento, California newspaper
Thompson, Marjorie. “God’s Gift to Women, The Lady Refuses Open.” Sacramento Union, June 18, 1931. *
— one of two films reviewed; Sacramento, California newspaper
anonymous. “Frank Fay Cast as Notorious Lover.” Lima News, June 25, 1931. *
— short article in Lima, Ohio newspaper
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women.” Picture-Play, July, 1931. *
— short review; “Joan Blondell, Louise Brooks, and Yola d’Avril are among those present.”
anonymous. “Favorite Actors Booked.” News-Palladium, July 16, 1931. *
— article in Benton Harbor, Michigan newspaper
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women.” New Movie, August, 1931.
— capsule review
anonymous. “All-Star Cast Plays in Romance-Comedy.” Appleton Post Crescent, August 29, 1931. *
— article in Appleton, Wisconsin newspaper
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women is Funniest of All Parisian Farces.” Key West Citizen, September 8, 1931. *
— article in Key West, Florida newspaper
anonymous. “Frank Fay Featured in Rialto Picture.” Chronicle Telegram, September 12, 1931. *
— brief article in Elyria , Ohio newspaper
author unknown. Picturegoer, October 10, 1931. (England)
— review
anonymous. “Fay Featured.” Lima News, November 1, 1931. *
— article in Lima, Ohio newspaper
anonymous. “Film Notes – God’s Gift to Women.” Pacific Film Archive, March 6, 1983. *
— brief program notes from the PFA program “Louise Brooks in God’s Gift to Women” – Berkeley, California (follow this link to access text)
anonymous. “God’s Gift to Women.” TV Guide Online, circa 2001. *
— capsule review on entertainment website; “Though it’s a funny premise, the film just doesn’t work. There are too many supporting characters, and gaps in the story suggest that some juicier sections were edited out by nervous producers.”