Hi all!  In my assertiveness training thread, I mentioned I was watching some movies from the 1940s to try and find some strong female characters for inspiration in how to act with more authority without spilling into a bitchy or shrill style.  So far, I think Rosalind Russell from "His Girl Friday" is working best as a role model. 

I feel like the women in that era of movies did the best job of seeming like a grown-up woman and authoritative, avoiding the little girl demeanor or sexpot style that the women in today's movies seem to have.  (or if an authority figure, they are too over the top - think Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.)  

I'd love suggestions of female movie characters who you think do a good job of presenting an authoritative woman. Doesn't have to be from the 1940s era (altho' that'd be great if you are familiar with that era!), just no horror movies please. No matter how good Jody Foster was in the Hannibel Lector movies, I just can't go there!

Antonia's Line is a Dutch film so it has subtitles--but it is a wonderful movie and Antonia's a formidable matriarch. She has authority! 

Link to the trailer on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH339VoOltM&feature=PlayList&p=52E0A7D453197595&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=20 

Thanks Chrispito, it's going in my NetFlix queue pronto!

Crackers I just thought--not sure if you're conservative about this sort of thing, but there's a fair amount of sex in this movie from what I remember. There is also a character that likes to bark at the Full Moon (she's my favorite).

Born Yesterday is hilarious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_Yesterday_%281950_film%29

google "preston sturges" and also a lot of Katharine Hepburn's movies - Philadelphia Story, etc.

:)

No worries, Chrispito, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

 Born Yesterday looks great Jilly, thanks, I'll add it.  I just finished watched "Pat and Mike" with Katharine Hepburn last week (she has her own assertiveness problem in that movie so I could definitely relate, especially since it's all dealt with through sports and I play sports, too.)

Stella Dallas (1937) with Barbara Stanwyck. (Hmm, but perhaps more "progressed" than Authoritative.) 

President Laura Roslin from Battlestar Galactica

(Satori picked her for me one time, now I give her to you) 

Love Roz Russell in Mame, Myrna Loy in Thin Man and Greer Garson in Pride & Prejudice

Thanks Bob, Notatirem & Patrice!  I feel a movie marathon coming on . . .

Injecting some humour but the Landlady in Kung Fu Hustle. Ha Ha.

Everyone says if I were in a film that would be me. Come to think of it, she would make a fantastic Halloween costume.

I second the Thin Man suggestion - was gonna make the same.  :-)

Greer Garson--Mrs. Miniver

I'm surprised no one said Joan Crawford...she was pretty assertive with wire-hangers now and then...  

Nutsy, I was gonna mention Joan Crawford, but then i thought about how negatively she displayed her authority in what ever happened to baby jane....

Which reminds me.....Bette Davis was always assertive, off and on the big screen.

Haha, sinmarazul,

After you mentioned that movie, I was going to say something about Bette Davis--but ya beat me too it! 

lmao she's my favorite actress of all times after meryl streep

Lauren Bacall

Kate Hepburn in A Lion in Winter, anyone?

Togi: High five, girlfriend!  That would be the bombiest.  :)