In 1906 San Francisco, sinful Clark Gable (as Blackie Norton) runs both his "Paradise" saloon and a mayoral campaign. For the former, he hires soprano Jeanette MacDonald (as Mary Blake). Despite their differences, the two fall in love. Gable receives prayers from former boyhood pal Spencer Tracy (as Tim Mullin). Father Tracy calls San Francisco, "The most godless city in America." Gable and Tracy remained best friends, although Gable grew up to be an atheist alcohol pusher, and Mr. Tracy became a priest.
MGM's dramatic musical depends upon your appreciation of MacDonald's glass-shattering singing style, since she handles nearly all of the vocalizing. Mismatched stars Gable and MacDonald were big box office. The film's big hit was the excellent "Would You?" which was introduced to radio listeners by none other than Bing Crosby; oddly, his version charted at a lowly #20 while versions sung by Joe Sudy (#4) and Johnny McKeever (#5) competed for the bigger sales. Of course, the exceptional title song was also a hit.
"San Francisco" attracted much award attention. It was the "Best Picture" of the year according to "Photoplay", finished high at #4 in the annual "Film Daily" poll, and made the "Academy Awards" top ten. The "Academy Awards" polled W.S. Van Dyke as the #2 "Best Director" of the year, just behind winner Frank Capra (for "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town"). There were six "Oscar" considerations in all, including a nomination for Tracy in the "Best Actor" category, although his is quite clearly a supporting performance.
This is a film which necessitates two user ratings from me:
*** (3 stars) for the God-awful stupidity occurring before the quake, and
********* (9 stars) for the exceptionally well made earthquake and aftermath, averaging out to
****** San Francisco (6/26/36) W.S. Van Dyke ~ Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, Spencer Tracy, Jack Holt
MGM's dramatic musical depends upon your appreciation of MacDonald's glass-shattering singing style, since she handles nearly all of the vocalizing. Mismatched stars Gable and MacDonald were big box office. The film's big hit was the excellent "Would You?" which was introduced to radio listeners by none other than Bing Crosby; oddly, his version charted at a lowly #20 while versions sung by Joe Sudy (#4) and Johnny McKeever (#5) competed for the bigger sales. Of course, the exceptional title song was also a hit.
"San Francisco" attracted much award attention. It was the "Best Picture" of the year according to "Photoplay", finished high at #4 in the annual "Film Daily" poll, and made the "Academy Awards" top ten. The "Academy Awards" polled W.S. Van Dyke as the #2 "Best Director" of the year, just behind winner Frank Capra (for "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town"). There were six "Oscar" considerations in all, including a nomination for Tracy in the "Best Actor" category, although his is quite clearly a supporting performance.
This is a film which necessitates two user ratings from me:
*** (3 stars) for the God-awful stupidity occurring before the quake, and
********* (9 stars) for the exceptionally well made earthquake and aftermath, averaging out to
****** San Francisco (6/26/36) W.S. Van Dyke ~ Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, Spencer Tracy, Jack Holt