The Critics on "Woman Bites Dog"
Robert Garland, critic for the Journal-American, whose owner, William Randolph Hearst, took much the same isolationist, rabidly anti-Communist positions as the Pattersons, denounced it not only as a bad play but as "Red propaganda." He was offended by the proposition that "any American citizen who does not believe that the Soviet Government is our most cooperative well-wisher is a rabble rouser and a clown." John Chapman, who worked for one of the play's targets at the Daily News, was far more temperate, writing that the "idea is funnier than the execution" and despite "some amusing scenes and some likable performances, the play lacks the frenzy necessary to make it hilarious."
Of the cast members, Holmes received the best notices, for bringing his vaudeville-honed comic sensibility to the role of Southworth, generating the most laughter. Everyone else was largely dismissed as merely competent in thankless roles. Douglas, of course, would go on to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the 1950s. McCambridge would have a more modest success in television and the movies, including an Oscar for "All the King's Men" in 1949 and a nomination for "Giant." Lovejoy, a Bronx native, worked in movies and TV in the '50s and '60s. Marshall had a distinguished career on stage, screen and television, where he was best known for "The Defenders." The Spewacks would redeem themselves with the book for "Kiss Me Kate" in 1948. Bloomgarden, a Brooklyn native, would become one of Broadway's most successful producers.