It’s Sunday Book Review time, and once again, I’m sneaking in a movie I recently watched – Ladies in Black, written by Madeline St. John. This movie is a story that takes place in the 1959 era, where women’s jobs consisted mostly of being a secretary or working in retail sales. The movie depicts the lives of 4 women who work in Goode’s Department store in Sydney, Australia at a time where European migration changes the landscape of Australia with cultural changes, a mixing of class structure, and the rise of Women’s Liberation. Lisa is a shy teen and aspiring writer who takes a part-time Christmas job at Goode’s, and befriends 3 women who open up a whole new world to her from her sheltered life at home. Once the movie began, I could totally understand the appropriate title chosen, but if you didn’t delve further than the title, one would have no idea what the movie is about.
Available on Amazon
Blurb:
“The book I most often give as a gift to cheer people up.” —Hilary Mantel
An irresistibly charming debut novel set in a department store in Sydney in the 1950s.
The women in black, so named for the black frocks they wear while working at an upscale department store called Goode’s, are run off their feet selling ladies’ cocktail dresses during the busy season. But in Sydney in the 1950s, there’s always time to pursue other goals…
Patty, in her mid-thirties, has been working at Goode’s for years. She’s married to Frank, who eats a steak for dinner every night, watches a few minutes of TV, and then turns in, leaving Patty to her own thoughts. She wants a baby, but Frank is always too tired for that kind of thing. Sweet Fay, wants to settle down with a nice man, but somehow nice men don’t see her as marriage material.
The glamorous Magda runs the high-end gowns department. A Slovenian émigré who met her Hungarian husband in a refugee camp, Magda is clever and cultured. She finds the Australians to be unfashionable, and dreams of opening her own boutique one day.
Lisa, a teenager awaiting the results of her final exams, takes a job at Goode’s for the holidays. She wants to go to university and secretly dreams of being a poet, but her father objects to both notions. Magda takes Lisa under her wing, and by the time the last marked-down dress has been sold, all of their lives will be forever changed.
Perfect for fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this delightful and uplifting novel portrays the roles of women in the 1950s and the timeless importance of female friendship.
My 5 Star Review:
Sixteen year old Lisa takes a Christmas job in a fancy department store in Sydney, Australia, working with the ‘ladies in black’. The women wore black cocktail dresses as their work uniforms behind the counters of the women’s dress department. Lisa comes from a sheltered life background and holds aspirations to one day become a poet – or a an actress. Simple life experiences the ‘glam’ life. She befriends the two ladies she works with – Patty and Fay, who both have their own aspirations, and Lisa sometimes gets transferred to the ‘fancy, high fashion’ department where she is taken in under the wing of Magda, played by Julia Ormond, a Slovenian emigrant in charge of that department.
Lisa learns world politics and culture from Magda and her Hungarian husband Stefan who both migrated to Australia after meeting in a prisoner camp when escaping the war in Europe. Lisa’s parents have a difficult time of letting their daughter grow up, and as LIsa awaits her acceptance to university, her father disapproves. As we watch the relationship grow between Magda and Lisa, we learn that Magda’s strong affection for Lisa develops because Magda is preparing Lisa for the outside world that Magda says she missed out on.
Meanwhile, Lisa’s new friends at the counter, Pat and Fay have struggles of their own, Pat feels as though she’s in a stagnant marriage and wants a baby, and Fay seems to meet the ‘wrong guy’ all the time – that’s until she’s introduced to Magda’s nephew, Rudy.
I thought this was a most wonderful feel good movie involving the lives of these 4 women, a lovely mix of relationships, friendships. character growth, and underlying reference to politics of the times. The landscape footage is just exquisite and a treat for someone like me who has never been to Australia. This is definitely a movie that inspires me to read the book.
Best quote: “Nobody understands men, and they don’t understand themselves.”
DGKayewriter.com 
GREAT REVIEW D.G. I LOVE THE COVER
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Hi China! Thanks so much. Yes, I too love the cover. This is definitely a movie I could watch again! 🙂
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This sounds a great film which I’d love to see. I’ve never heard of it. Is it a new one?
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I think you’d thoroughly enjoy this Stevie. The book came out in the 90s, and the movie came out last year I believe. Great cast with multiple social issues back in those times. 🙂
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This looks so good. A fun, weekend movie, maybe? (Love the quote you’ve picked.) 😉 I’d somehow never heard of this so thanks for sharing.
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Great weekend movie – on the couch with a glass of cocoa! 🙂
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This sounds darling. I usually avoid the woman’s world back then–almost depressing, though ground-breaking–but i’m going to check this book out.
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Well this story is far from depressing – rather insightful and entertaining. 🙂
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A brilliant film Debby and a wonderful review. I loved it and they captured that era so well.. great characters. Department stores had not moved on much by the time I was working in one in the late 60s..all dressed in black and some very odd people in the men’s department!! Thanks for the reminder of a terrific film.. ♥♥
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Oh fab Sal, so glad you’ve seen this movie! Yes, I think that department store trend ran well into the 60s and changes subtly came well into the 70s. I thought it was a lovely mix of the times, culture, history, and great storylines. ❤ xxx
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Sounds interesting! We recently watched the series ‘Mr. Selfridge’ on Netflix, which similarly highlighted the lives of sales associates, most of them female. Retail was the first industry to afford women some freedom and independence. Thanks for the review!
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I know there are so many good shows on Netflix. I haven’t ventured there because I already know of a few series I will get addicted to and don’t have the time for right now, so thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks for your movie recommendation and the brilliant review, Debby. I have Amazon Prime, so I’m putting this on my “watch” list.
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It’s being compared to the Mrs. Maisel series on Amazon too. 🙂
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This really does sound like a smashing movie, Debby. As soon as I read the line about ladies working in a department store at that time, I guessed what the title meant.
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Thanks Robbie. I really think you’d enjoy it. 🙂
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I’m a big fan of Mrs. Maisel, so this sounds right up my alley, Debby. Thanks so much for the recommendation. Now to get the clicker away from the husband. Lol. 🙂
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Lol Diana, yes. I don’t have Prime but have been urged to get it and watch Mrs. Maisel (right up my alley) I’ve seen many clips so I get what the show is about. I just can’t get hooked on anymore series than I already watch, lol. So yes, you will enjoy this movie! ❤
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Ah, nothing to do with the Men in Black series obviously. LOL. Haven’t watched many Aussie flicks–though we’ve seen plenty with down under actors. Sorry, just had to go there. 🙂
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Lol good puns! Ya, probably more of a chick flick lol 🙂
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I saw this on the tv listing when I was surfing the channels. I had no idea what it was so I skipped over it. But now that you’ve shared your review, I’m intrigued. I will check this one out. Plus, I had no idea it was based on a book—even better. Thanks, Deb.
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Always happy to enlighten Lis. Definitely catch it on demand. 🙂 x
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I’ve no seen this movie locally. Maybe I can find it on Pay per View?
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It’s on HBO Noelle, if you get that channel. 🙂
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You have just added to both my TBR list and my TBW list! I don’t watch very many movies, but I will look for this one. After I read the book, of course…
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So happy to add to your TBR Amy, lol 🙂
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Thank you once again Sally for your generous share. I cannot believe I just pulled YOU out of spam!!!! LOL ❤ xxx
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Thanks for the review. I will add it to my watchlist.
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Happy to enlighten you D. ❤
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Thanks for the review! This is just the sort of movie I enjoy.
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Happy to enlighten you Liz, then no doubt you will enjoy! 🙂 ❤
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This sounds like a great movie – thanks for drawing attention to it, I’ve not heard of it before but I’ll keep an eye out for it now.
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Most welcome Deb. I was surprised I hadn’t heard of it and a few here hadn’t as well. A hidden gem that I believe the movie was made last year but the book was written in the 90s. Just think maybe it will take 20 years til our books are discovered and made into movies lol 🙂 xx
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This sounds like a wonderful movie, Debby. I have never heard of it or the book. I think I’ll add it to my wishlist. Thanks, my friend. Hugs.
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Happy to enlighten you Michelle, since you have introduced to some goodies through the years. 🙂 Oh yes, based on books I’ve read your reviews, this is a book you’d love I’m sure! ❤
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I really enjoyed this movie, Debby, and appreciate your review for helping me to remember it. 🙂
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Oh glad you saw it too Norah. I thought it was a beautiful movie 🙂
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