Why was The Women a major hit for George Cukor?

The Women (1939) was a major commercial success for director George Cukor primarily due to its stellar ensemble cast.1

The film, which was an adaptation of Clare Boothe Luce’s comedy of the same name, featured a prominent group of actresses, including Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Paulette Goddard, and Hedda Hopper. This production highlighted Cukor’s well-known ability to elicit strong performances from his actors, a skill that often led to him being labeled a "woman's director"—a title he personally disliked because he felt it minimized his ability to direct men as well.12