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Home Overlooked Films Tuesday’s Overlooked: Dodsworth (1936)

April 16, 2013 By iluvcinema 5 Comments

Tuesday’s Overlooked: Dodsworth (1936)

This week I decided to change things up a little instead of choosing a traditional overlooked film, I would like to focus today’s post on a film that I have overlooked until recently.

It is the 1936 film Dodsworth, directed by filmmaker William Wyler with a screenplay adapted from the Sinclair Lewis novel and play (by Sidney Howard) of the same name.

For some reason I had in my mind that this film would be a taxing, cumbersome exercise to get through. The reality was far from that – Dodsworth is a cleverly written, expertly provocative look at a disintegrating marriage, among other things.

dodsworth

Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston), automotive titan, is selling up and retiring from the business. At the urging of his wife Fran (Ruth Chatterton), they soon pack their bags and set sail for Europe. It is evident early on, that this seemingly happy couple have divergent interests, especially on the part of Fran, who is obviously bored with her husband’s perceived lack of refinement. For his part, Sam tries in vain to hold the relationship together, even as he crosses paths with divorcee Edith Cortright (Mary Astor was never lovelier).

The writing is sharp and nuanced and the performances were expertly delivered:

Quite fascinating (in a good way) dialogue exchange. #Dodsworth #TCMParty

— iluvcinema (@iluvcinema) April 15, 2013

Ruth Chatterton shines as the wayward wife who is seeking a thrill anyway and with anyone who she can. She is, in my opinion, a rather opportunistic, loathsome creature trying to hold onto her youth (via any available man). However her time has long passed and she comes off looking absolutely ridiculous. This frivolous and reckless behavior bears fruit in the final act – Fran gets her comeuppance at the hands of scene-stealing Maria Ouspenskaya, in her role of Baroness Von Obersdorf, whose son is Fran’s latest Continental conquest; as I stated in my tweet from the evening viewing:

mama is hearing none of it! #Dodsworth #TCMParty

— iluvcinema (@iluvcinema) April 15, 2013

As I stated during the #TCMParty tweeting event, Walter Huston is an actor that I know his renown for his talents and has featured in a couple of films (at least) that I like, including The Devil and Daniel Webster and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, but in terms of giving him his full props as an outstanding stage and screen actor. In this film, he plays the ups and downs (and downs) of his character convincingly and with aplomb.

Must study Walter Huston’s body of work more closely … #Dodsworth #TCMParty

— iluvcinema (@iluvcinema) April 15, 2013

Rounding out the standout performances for me is Mary Astor. Absent is the hard-boiled noir dame of my cinematic imagination to be replaced by a totally empathetic, soft, warm woman who you cannot help (like Sam Dodsworth) be drawn to her.

“What do you suppose any lone woman wants?” Mary Astor is a genius in DODSWORTH #tcmparty

— Kerry Fristoe (@echidnabot) April 15, 2013

————————————————–

I watched the film with my fellow #TCMPartiers Sunday night and had a blast! Thanks to all of my twitter buddies that encouraged me to continue to watch along (even if I am a bit bleary-eyed the following morning).

Be sure to check out other “overlooked” or forgotten titles on Todd Mason’s blog, Sweet Freedom.

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Filed Under: Overlooked Films Tagged With: dodsworth, overlooked film

Comments

  1. Patti Abbott says

    April 16, 2013 at 9:03 am

    I loved this film years ago but haven’t seen it since. I read all of Lewis’ books and this was a great book to film job. And yes, Mary Astor was a genius. Largely forgotten now except for Maltese Falcon.

    Reply
    • iluvcinema says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:37 pm

      It really is a shame. I mean she was quite good in this!
      iluvcinema recently posted..Tuesday’s Overlooked: Dodsworth (1936)My Profile

      Reply
  2. Paula says

    April 16, 2013 at 10:49 am

    I remember being surprised at how good this film was! I think because it sounded boring…but it isn’t. As you say, the writing and performances are the key to a really interesting film.
    Paula recently posted..Five Fave Classic Cinematographers, Pt. 1: John F. SeitzMy Profile

    Reply
    • iluvcinema says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:37 pm

      I am with you Paula; whenever this film would come up, I would think to myself – dull as dishwater. DUH – anything but!

      Reply
  3. ruth says

    April 18, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    Oooh, the fact that William Wyler directed this intrigues me right away. Great post Iba!
    ruth recently posted..Top 10 favorite Tom Cruise’s film/performance … and vote for your own top 3My Profile

    Reply

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