Hollywood Invented the Girlboss
The Criterion Channel's new series 'Office Romances' explores classic workplace comedies from the 1930s to the 1950s, highlighting the evolving role of women in the workplace. The series addresses themes such as work-life balance and gender equality, while also revealing underlying sexism in many films. Notably, Howard Hawks's 'His Girl Friday' subverts traditional narratives by showcasing a woman's realization of her professional aspirations over domesticity.
- ▪The series features films that reflect the growing presence of women in the workforce during the early to mid-20th century.
- ▪Many films in the series reveal a reactionary attitude towards women in professional roles, often portraying them as desperate for marriage.
- ▪'His Girl Friday' is highlighted for its subversion of traditional gender roles, illustrating a woman's journey towards self-actualization through her career.
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05.17.2026Film and TVFacebook IconTwitter IconEmail IconPrint IconHollywood Invented the GirlbossByEileen JonesThe Criterion Channel’s excellent new “Office Romances” retrospective shows how Hollywood’s classic workplace comedies exposed a deep panic about women who dared to be competent.Kay Francis and David Manners star in William Dieterle’s Man Wanted. (Warner Bros.)Read our spring issue in print. Get a discounted subscription to our print magazine today.Israel’s Young Settler VanguardE. A.
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