Woman Hater

Woman Hater

Year: 1948

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Terence Young

RomanceComedy

A confirmed bachelor and a woman who claims to hate men get together and find romance.

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Timeline & Setting – Woman Hater (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Woman Hater (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-20th century (1940s)

The story unfolds in postwar Britain, a period marked by shifting social mores and a growing fascination with celebrity culture. Newspapers, publicists, and autograph seekers shape the choices and pressures faced by the characters. Aristocratic propriety collides with modern flirtation as appearances hold as much weight as feelings. The era’s pace allows fast shifts from farce to genuine emotion.

Location

London, England, Datchett's country house

The film begins in London, where Colette Marly's presence ignites the tension with Lord Datchett. Much of the action then moves to Datchett's country house, a grand setting that becomes a stage for the characters' social games. The contrast between urban celebrity culture and rural aristocratic life highlights the clash of manners and the performative nature of romance. The domestic spaces and lake scenes provide the backdrop for evolving relationships and comic misunderstandings.

🗺️ City 🏰 Country house

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

Main Characters – Woman Hater (1948)

Meet the key characters of Woman Hater (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Colette Marly (Edwige Feuillère)

Colette is a renowned French film star weary of relentless publicity and autograph seekers. She accepts Datchett's invitation hoping for solitude, but quickly discerns a social game that could teach him a lesson. Her wit and charm help her navigate Datchett's deception while testing his attitude toward women. In the end, she discovers she loves him.

🎭 Glamour 💬 Witty 🧭 Independent

Lord Terence Datchett (Stewart Granger)

Datchett is an aristocrat who believes women are vain and dull, and he schemes to prove his theory by concealing his identity. As the game unfolds, he begins to fall for Colette, forcing a conflict between pride and romance. His deception reveals a vulnerability beneath the social mask. The romance ultimately tests his beliefs about women and love.

👑 Aristocrat 🧠 Schemer 💖 Romantic

Clair (Jeanne De Casalis)

Clair is Colette's maid who flirts with Jameson and Patrick, stirring jealousy and competition. She helps maintain the deception by playing along with Datchett's scheme. Practical and opportunistic, she uses the situation to her advantage while keeping a witty distance from the chaos.

💬 Flirt 🎭 Mischief 🧭 Clever

Jameson (Ronald Squire)

Jameson is the loyal butler who navigates the deception, playing his part in Datchett's game. He interacts with Clair and Patrick, fueling jealousy and rivalries. His dry wit and steady presence help sustain the farcical energy of the plot.

🤵 Butler 🗺️ Loyal 🎭 Comic

Rev Meadows (Miles Malleson)

Reverend Meadows arrives with a christening party, triggering Datchett's orchestrated deception. He becomes part of the social machinery surrounding the scheme, acting as a catalyst for the unfolding farce. His presence heightens the sense of propriety clashing with mischief.

⛪ Clergy 🎭 Catalyst 💫 Comedic

Lady Datchett (Mary Jerrold)

Lady Datchett is Datchett's elderly mother who arrives to observe the ploy and add a touch of venerable tradition to the plan. Her attempt to join in highlights the older generation's engagement with contemporary romantic antics. She embodies the clash between established manners and new flirtatious games.

👵 Matriarch 🎭 Naive 🏰 Aristocracy

Grandmother (Vi Kaley)

Grandmother is an additional elder figure who participates in the house’s social games, adding another layer to the family dynamic. She contributes to the humor and traditional backdrop of aristocratic life. Her presence reinforces the blend of old-world charm with modern romantic farce.

👵 Grandmother 🎭 Traditionalist 🏰 Aristocracy

Patrick (WA Kelly)

Patrick is the Irish gardener whose presence sparks jealousy and playful rivalry, especially with Clair. He participates in the boating scene and the general back-and-forth that fuels the comedy. His lighthearted energy helps balance the more formal characters.

🌱 Gardener 💬 Jovial 🎭 Comedic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

Major Themes – Woman Hater (1948)

Explore the central themes of Woman Hater (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Romance

Romance in the story grows as masks come off and genuine feeling emerges through wit and deception. Datchett and Colette move from rivalry to mutual attraction via staged situations and moments of honesty. Their evolving relationship challenges class expectations and the idea that love must fit a preconceived experiment. Ultimately, true affection blossoms when pretenses fade.

🎭 Deception

Deception drives the plot, with disguises, false identities, and calculated roles creating comic tension. The couple’s pretense exposes vulnerabilities, revealing what each wants beneath social performance. Plans to manipulate outcomes backfire, forcing confessions and realignment. The film uses farce to probe how truth can hide behind polite veneers.

📰 Publicity

Publicity and media attention serve as catalysts for the relationship’s tensions. The characters’ actions are shaped by reporters, fans, and publicists who crave access and spectacle. Fame functions as social currency that can isolate or connect people. The finale critiques the cost of celebrity and elevates authentic connection over image.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:40

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Woman Hater Summary

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Woman Hater Summary

Woman Hater Timeline

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Woman Hater Timeline

More About Woman Hater

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