It was lipstick and handbags at the ready in Los Angeles last night as Woody Allen's women battled it out on the red carpet.

The stunning stars of his latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona joined the director and his wife Soon-Yi at the U.S. première of his latest romantic comedy.

With three leading females clambering for attention, the actresses all stepped up the glamour stakes.

Woody and his women: Director Woody Allen poses with the female stars of his new movie Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall

While Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall opted for high-necked gowns, Penelope Cruz showed off her impressive cleavage with a plunging neckline.

While Woody dressed in his usual smart/casual combination of khakis and a rumpled yellow shirt, his three co-stars look striking in their red and black ensembles.

Scarlett, who plays American tourist Cristina who travels to Barcelona with her friend Vicky (Rebecca), opted for a flowing red gown and statement jewellery, including her engagement ring from fiancé Ryan Reynolds.

Enlarge 

Enlarge 

Leading ladies: Penelope Cruz has the blues in a navy halterneck dress, while Scarlett Johansson lives up to her first name in a striking red ensemble

Rising British actress Rebecca, daughter of theatre impresario Peter Hall, was the most low-key of the trio, in a black shift dress and kitten heels.

At 5ft 9, Rebecca towered over her diminutive co-stars and director - who all stand between 5ft 4 and 5 ft 5.

Spanish film siren Penelope, who plays the ex-wife of artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), looked stunning in a floor-length, navy halterneck gown.

She was supported at the première by close friend, Mexican actress Salma Hayek, who recently called off her engagement to François-Henri Pinault.

Enlarge 

Party time: After the screening, Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi quaff champagne with his stunning cast

A friend in need: Newly single Salma Hayek takes her mind off her recent split from her fiance with a night out with close pal Penelope

Also at the screening was Penelope's boyfriend Javier Bardem, but the publicity-shy couple took great pains not to be photographed together.

The couple started dating on set of the film last year after years of friendship.

Despite being photographed partying at the Oscars with Javier's mother earlier this year, the couple refuse to discuss or confirm their relationship to the press.

Following the screening, Woody and his wife Soon-Yi celebrated the film with Scarlett Johansson with canapes and champagne.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona tells the story of two American friends (Scarlett and Rebecca) who spend the summer in Barcelona who fall for Javier's artist character Juan.

Starry line-up: Woody and his film stars (L-R) Chris Messina, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and Javier Bardem

Their menage-a-trois becomes even more complicated when Juan's eccentric ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope) enters the frame.

The film first screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May and has been hailed as Woody's return to form after previous mixed responses to his more recent efforts Match Point and Scoop.

Todd McCarthy, critics for U.S. trade paper Variety, said: 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a sexy, funny divertissement that passes as enjoyably as an idle summer's afternoon in the titular Spanish city.'

The New Yorker's David Denby writes: 'Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona has a natural, flowing vitality to it, a sun-drenched splendour that never falters.'

The film is expected to be released in Britain next month.