Anjelica Huston singing September Song
Wonder if folks realize the significance... that song was made famous by her grandfather:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkWn4--RmEk
It was discussed here at the time. Growing up, we had a recording, a compilation of ancientry, which included John Barrymore's "Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I," from his legendary "Hamlet," (next to unlistenable for modern audiences, though if one does listen closely, one can hear the titanic ability under the madly outdated manner), and also Walter Huston's "September Song."
Have you ever seen "Dodsworth?" Dated, but wonderful. Huston, Ruth Chatterton, Mary Astor.
Oh, right. So, she secretly trained a flock of sandflies.
Cool! And thanks, just requested Dodsworth from the library. Netflix also recommended that if I liked that I would also like The Women so I requested that too. :)
shareOooohhh, "The Women!" Don't get me started! I adore that film, Shearer's awful acting, Russell's over-the-top camp and all! Clare Booth Luce rules!
Re-made twice, never so well done. I couldn't stand the most recent version. If you really hate the character interaction and the dialogue that much, why not just write a different new film?
I'd take it very kindly if you would let me know how you like "Dodsworth."
Oh, right. So, she secretly trained a flock of sandflies.
Thanks, appears to be one of Cukor's higher-rated ones.
I'll try to remember. If you don't hear by six weeks, ping me. :)
The September song has long been one of my favorites by the way, but I hadn't heard it in a couple of years. When the opening chords started all I could think was "I know that song! What is it again?!" and then I quickly got the whole thing.
Hey, finally saw Dodsworth and enjoyed it very much. Thanks so much for the recommendation! Couldn't believe I had never heard of it before.
Kind of skirts the Hayes code doesn't it? Certainly very modern.
Very good acting, especially by Huston, though he doesn't sing. :) Wonder where I can find September Affair...
I had a little issue at the start in that I thought the character of the wife wasn't characterized well enough. Was she leading these guys on or she couldn't help the attention? Wasn't exactly clear. It eventually became clear that the couple were two quite different types, though it was a bit mysterious how they remained married for that long. I concluded he had been working 12-hour days so probably he didn't really know her.
Reminds me that it was great seeing Errol Flynn's good friend David Niven turn up! Paul Lukas too! They had some great actors in lesser roles here. Of course Huston and Astor would later both be in The Maltese Falcon.
Was a little surprised that Fran saw herself as so bereft at the end. After all she had both money and the attention of many different men; probably she would land better than fine.
Wasn't Huston so different here than in Maltese Falcon or Sierra Madre!
By the way, after that saw The Swimmer from 1968. A very different film, but at the same time kind of similar, or maybe the antithesis of this film, and also quite good, though sadly little known. It's said it was one of the inspirations for Mad Men.
shareI've seen that! Strange film, but I liked it. I have only watched a bit of Mad Men, but I can see that.
Dodsworth is about a man finding himself, The Swimmer - is he finding or losing himself, or both? Never sure about that . . .
Oh, right. So, she secretly trained a flock of sandflies.
Yes, Mary Astor did a very nice job in a subdued role.
Good point about the societal pressure not to get divorced. That's a lot of the point of this social satire.
Dodsworth is a man with illusions on a tragic path that he manages to right in the end. The Swimmer is a man with illusions on a tragic path that he is completely unable to right, or so I see it.
It's a very long time since I saw The Swimmer, and only once. I'd have to revisit, but if memory serves, definitely a valid take on both films.
Oh, right. So, she secretly trained a flock of sandflies.
By the way, do you have any idea whether either one is regularly shown on TCM?
So what's the next Walter Huston film I should see? :)
Or should I be asking what is the next Sinclair Lewis film I should see? :)
I really have no idea about whether either is a regular fixture on TCM.
I need to see "Arrowsmith." Loved the book, though parts are terribly sad.
Oh, right. So, she secretly trained a flock of sandflies.
Ah great! Just requested it from the library.
Thanks!
Have you seen Hail Caesar yet? Quite a tribute to Olde Hollywoode.
Thinking about obscure older films... have you ever seen either of Madam Satan or It Happened Tomorrow (1944)? Both more in a rompish vein
No, I've seen none of these, but thanks - I will put them on the list.
Oh, right. So, she secretly trained a flock of sandflies.
Saw Arrowsmith! Very admirable, but this strong satire is not that easy to enjoy. There's relatively little humor and happiness for these poor characters. Am impressed in a way that it ever got made. Will be curious to hear what you think.
shareIt is confusing at the beginning, because the film doesn't give the backstory - how he adored her, how she was "a crystal candlestick of a girl." He had an image of her which was not the reality. And, as you note, he worked very hard - for her well-being. Andit was a time in which divorce was not the norm - 'til death, and all.
When he retires, as they travel, he gradually becomes aware of the disconnect between his image and her reality.
Yes, he was amazing. Won the NY Film Critics' Best Actor, though not the Oscar. A great actor. Always different characterizations.
Wasn't Mary Astor lovely, also?
Actually, even during the Hayes Code days, many films treated adult subject matter - it was in how that was done, what was shown, what words used, devil in the details, and all.
Oh, right. So, she secretly trained a flock of sandflies.