William Wyler is the director of some of the greatest films, including THE COLLECTOR, BEN-HUR, FRIENDLY PERSUASION, ROMAN HOLIDAY, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, JEZEBEL and THE LETTER. And all of those films came after this one, which is one of the best I have seen of his work.
Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston, THE TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE) is a self-made millionaire, who sells his automobile company so that his wife Fran (Ruth Chatterton, A ROYAL DIVORCE) and him can tour Europe. The drama of the film surrounds the bumpy relationship between Sam and Fran. The joy of the film is Huston’s portrayal of Sam Dodsworth — a one of kind movie character. He is so well realized that Huston becomes him.
Sam Dodsworth still has a childlike passion for new things and adventure. He may have made millions, but his tastes and attitude is still simple. In contrast, Fran, who is much younger than him, is restless in their small town life and dreams of a luxurious adventure in Europe. She’s bored with her husband and finds the advances of several men quite promising. Her flirtations with these men are so obvious that family friend Edith Cortright (Mary Astor, THE MALTESE FALCON) even subtly warns her not to go through with it.
The screenplay based on a Sinclair Lewis novel is extremely well crafted. It’s filled with well-observed and honest moments. It never plays the material too melodramatic, which works really well. And for a film of this era, the scoring is perfect. Actually, I never even noticed the scoring, which for a lesser film of this type and era would have been blaringly obvious.
Wyler adds to the drama with great staging, lighting and camera choices. Along with Huston’s amazing performance, Chatterton holds her own, especially in the scene with Maria Ouspenskaya (THE WOLF MAN) as Fran’s suitor’s mother. Ouspenskaya’s performance proves that one great scene can make an impression. Here, she earned an Oscar nomination for her work.
Some might look down on the film as a negative comment on the morals of Europeans, but look closer. There is an honest innocence to the story and its characters. The film takes pokes at American morals as well. Sam married for what he believed to be love. Fran was a gold-digger, a personality trait that is not just suited to one continent. This film is classic romantic drama at its best. A must see for all film fans.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
