The Male Animal (1942): cast, story & where to watch
1942 · Film · ★ 4.4
Released in 1942, The Male Animal is a comedy and romance film directed by Elliott Nugent, running about 101 minutes. “SHE turned a lamb into a lion!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The trustees of Midwestern University have forced three teachers out of their jobs for being suspected communists. Trustee Ed Keller has also threatened mild mannered English Professor Tommy Turner, because he plans to read a controversial piece of prose in class. Tommy is upset that his wife Ellen also suggested he not read the passage. Meanwhile, Ellen's old boyfriend, the football player Joe Ferguson, comes to visit for the homecoming weekend. He takes Ellen out dancing after the football rally, causing Tommy to worry that he will lose her to Joe.
Who’s in it. The Male Animal stars Henry Fonda as Tommy Turner, Olivia de Havilland as Ellen Turner, Joan Leslie as Patricia Stanley and Jack Carson as Joe Ferguson, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.4/10, The Male Animal has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on YouTube TV. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Male Animal page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Male Animal tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Male Animal (1942)?
- In US, The Male Animal is available to stream on YouTube TV. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Male Animal worth watching?
- The Male Animal holds an audience score of 4.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Male Animal?
- The Male Animal stars Henry Fonda, Olivia de Havilland, Joan Leslie, Jack Carson and Eugene Pallette.
- When was The Male Animal released?
- The Male Animal was released in 1942, with a runtime of about 101 minutes.