Reversing the roles so Mary is the head of the building and loan had problems. A board naming a woman in the 1940's to running the Bailey Building and loan is a stretch in that error. The whole Mr Gower scene was a bit of a stretch. She just happened to be there to see what he was doing. Mr Gower hitting a little girl just doesn't play as well has him hitting the boy in 1910's. George Hatch coming on to her in the she didn't exist world ... no. I think it would have played better if he were just in an unhappy marriage without children. Marlo Thomas didn't play the part with the same emotion that Jimmy Stewart did. Being a woman, I think she should have been showing even more emotion!.
I think a woman playing the lead could be done, but I think the script needed to be reworked more to make it work.
I think a woman playing the lead could be done, but I think the script needed to be reworked more to make it work.