San Francisco

 

 

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Yes: The climactic earthquake scene, with all of San Francisco just toppling to the ground, is a tour de force of 1930's special effects. Spencer Tracy plays a wonderful priest--I think this was his first role with a turnaround collar--and his shock when Gable will send MacDonald out on stage in a skimpy chorine outfit is one of the emotionally intense moments of the film. Gable delivers one of his usual rogue performances, one of those "I don't believe in God, I believe in me" kind of fellas, and as usual, he does it expertly. No: I didn't believe in the romance of MacDonald and Gable for one minute, and you'd need about one hundred and twenty minutes for a movie like this. I don't think she could attract him, and I certainly don't think she could hold onto him. It's not that she isn't a beautiful woman; it's just that there was no chemistry between them at all. Check it out--I doubt you'll feel the earth shake over them at all.

Good Morning

Thankyou for sending this movie to me so quickly. I remembering watching this movie when I was 12 years old. Even though all of us kids were supposed to be in bed, we thought if we were very quiet that Mom and Dad would forget we were on the couch and let us watch the late movie on Saturday night. Mom noticed us and said that it was a great movie and let us watch it. I remembering crying when the earthquake hit and then crying again when Blackie finally found Mary. It truly is one of the greatest love stories. I have watched it just about everyday since I received it. Thankyou for making this great movie available on your Amazon.ca website, and thankyou for the memories.

Best regards ~ Diana Wakeham

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) presents "SAN FRANCISCO" (1936) (115 min/B&W) -- Starring: Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Jeanette MacDonald, Jack Holt, Jessie Ralph & Ted Healy

Directed by W.S. Van Dyke

The story begins on the Barbary Coast on New Year's Eve, 1906, as rakish but likable political boss Blackie Norton (Clark Gable) hires demure young singer Mary Blake (Jeanette MacDonald) to perform at his rowdy Paradise gambling house. Local priest Father Mullin (Spencer Tracy), Blackie's best friend, disapproves of the exploitation of the lovely Mary, feeling that she's suited for classier surroundings. Jack Hurley (Jack Holt), Nob Hill socialite and Blackie's political rival, agrees with Father Mullin and offers the girl the opportunity to sing with the San Francisco Opera. Blackie, who's fallen in love with Mary but won't admit it to himself, jealously holds on to her contract, forcing Mary to walk out on him.

For the rest of the film, Mary is torn between the "respectable" lifestyle offered her by Hurley and the baser creature comforts provided by Blackie. It looks for a while that Hurley has won out, but fate takes a hand in the form of the devastating San Francisco Earthquake of April 18, 1906 (a special effects tour de force for art directors Arnold Gillespie and his uncredited associate James Basevi).

One of MGM's biggest hits, remaining in almost constant reissue for the next three decades.

Oscar Winner for Best Sound. Oscar Nominated for Best Picture, Actor (Spencer Tracy), Director, Assistant Director & Writing.

An astounding achievement in special effects for its time.

This is the first pairing of those two "mega-stars": Clark Gable & Spencer Tracy. They were to appear together on two further occasions - Test Pilot (1938) & Boom Town (1940)

BIOS:
1. W.S. Van Dyke (Director)
Date of Birth: 21 March 1889 - San Diego, California
Date of Death: 5 February 1943 - Brentwood, California

2. Clark Gable
Date of birth: 1 February 1901 - Cadiz, Ohio,
Date of death: 16 November 1960 - Los Angeles, California

3. Spencer Tracy (aka: Spencer Bonaventure Tracy)
Date of birth: 5 April 1900 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
Date of death: 10 June 1967 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles

4, Jeanette MacDonald
Date of Birth: 18 June 1903 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 14 January 1965 - Houston, Texas

5. Jack Holt [aka: Charles John Holt]
Date of Birth: 31 May 1888 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 18 January 1951 - Sawtelle, Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 115 min on DVD ~ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) ~ (June 20, 2006)

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5.0 out of 5 stars One of the muscles of Clark Gable
Before there was a Las Vegas, there was San Francisco: "sin city," the most corrupt town in the U.S.A., according to Father Tim Mullin (Spencer Tracy). Read more

Published on Nov 8 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.

4.0 out of 5 stars San Fran, San Francisco, or... Frisco?
I was pleasantly surprised to find I really enjoyed watching this movie (Clark Gable is not a favourite of mine). Read more

Published on May 8 2004 by Mrs Baldwin

5.0 out of 5 stars San Francisco is a True Delight
Thsi movie is certianly one of the best of all time. Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald shine in this story of true love in San Francisco. Read more

Published on Nov 21 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars Great b&w film
Great video, good story, but can be a little annoying at times. (the woman can't make up her mind) But I love it!

Published on Mar 10 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good if not great MGM thirties epic
That this is not a perfect film is in the end redeemed by the large number of things that are so immensely enjoyable about it. Read more

Published on Mar 3 2002 by Robert Moore

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful film!
As a fan of the three main stars and one to have been fortunate to see this film with a live audience, I can honestly say this movie is absolutely wonderful without much bias as... Read more

Published on Dec 26 2001 by G. Sayre

2.0 out of 5 stars Overrated
This must be one the most overrated movies in the history of film. Extremely simplistic sentimental plot. Read more

Published on Dec 30 1999 by James Johnson

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