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My Sister Eileen

Play trailer Poster for My Sister Eileen 1942 1h 36m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
When starry-eyed sisters, Ruth (Rosalind Russell) and Eileen Sherwood (Janet Blair), make the leap from rural Idaho to downtown New York City, they believe they are going to make their fortunes. However, upon arriving, they find the Big Apple a little less glamorous than they had expected. After moving into a trashy basement apartment in Greenwich Village, the sisters eventually make the acquaintance of hotshot magazine editor Robert Baker (Brian Aherne), who vows to help them both succeed.

Critics Reviews

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Bosley Crowther New York Times Aug 25, 2007
3/5
My Sister Eileen is gay and bouncing. It is a farce which depends entirely upon two doors. And we hate to think what would have happened to it if some one had thought to nail one of those doors shut. Go to Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial Sep 19, 2019
The struggle of the two protagonists to exist and achieve their respective goals maintain the public entertained and pleased throughout the movie. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Apr 15, 2011
C+
Rosalind Russell, who earned the first of four Oscar nominations for the lead, is the best element and only reason to see this verbose movie, which is still a play. Go to Full Review Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies May 11, 2009
2.5/5
One of those comedies one damns by calling it "unsuccessful," even though parts of it work just fine. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Aug 22, 2007
B-
Stagy urban comedy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Martin B @RT44235356 Jun 23, 2026 Russell as the intelligent, formidable woman with chaos breaking around her a theme that was recurring for her in films. A WWII era movie featuring tight living circumstances and an interdependence on the people around them also a recurring theme during the war years. The two collide in a merry romp of comedic mayhem and two note worthy moments. Russell's backside line dancing in a very unflattering way and the very end with the Stooges. See more Diane N. @Niedi737 Nov 14, 2025 Rosalind Russell has done a lot better movies than this one. It's really not that amusing. See more Annamaria H Dec 31, 2024 Very funny and quirky. A lot going on like in My Girl Friday. See more Steve D @RT35616104 Jul 22, 2020 The sisters and their relationship works really well thanks to wonderful leads. See more Dec 14, 2014 seriously this movie needs more recognition super hilarious See more Jan 16, 2014 Very delightful movie. The high jinks of the girls in New York is tremendously funny and the surprise cameo is great. See more Read all reviews
My Sister Eileen

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Alexander Hall

Director

Rosalind Russell

Ruth Sherwood

Brian Aherne

Robert Baker

Janet Blair

Eileen Sherwood

George Tobias

Appopolous

Allyn Joslyn

Chic Clark

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My Sister Eileen

My Sister Eileen (1942) My Sister Eileen (1942) My Sister Eileen (1942) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When starry-eyed sisters, Ruth (Rosalind Russell) and Eileen Sherwood (Janet Blair), make the leap from rural Idaho to downtown New York City, they believe they are going to make their fortunes. However, upon arriving, they find the Big Apple a little less glamorous than they had expected. After moving into a trashy basement apartment in Greenwich Village, the sisters eventually make the acquaintance of hotshot magazine editor Robert Baker (Brian Aherne), who vows to help them both succeed.
Director
Alexander Hall
Producer
Max Gordon
Screenwriter
Joseph Fields, Jerome Chodorov
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 24, 1942, Original
Runtime
1h 36m
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