Quaint movies with charm can be quite captivating (for example, Cagney's "The Strawberry Blonde"). But this film, while quaint, is not particularly charming...except in places...and particularly more later in the film. That's not to say it's a bad movie. It's okay, but MGM had the actor who many considered the finest in American film (Spencer Tracy)...why the heck did they put him in this? Probably some pet project of some bigwig at the studio.
I've been watching many of the Tracy films in order recently while I also read the new Tracy biography. Up till this film, Tracy was getting older. Here, he is old. He plays a lovably taciturn former sailor who is raising a daughter who wants desperately to become an actress. And he plays it very well. Perhaps his best moments here are in the gymnasium sequence when he keeps losing his pants. Oh, and clearly, the old actor had man-boobs by this time...perhaps a bad choice of costuming. Watch for a cameo by Jackie Coogan in this segment. And, as he softens later in the film, the role becomes more interesting.
The film is the autobiographical story of actress Ruth Gordon, here played by Jean Simmons. She doesn't remind me a bit of Ruth Gordon. I'm not impressed.
The mother is played by Teresa Wright, and I doubt she much cared for this role.
Anthony Perkins plays the love interest for Simmons. Interesting early role for him -- his first film.
I'm glad to have seen this film, but it's not one of my favorite Tracy pics.
I've been watching many of the Tracy films in order recently while I also read the new Tracy biography. Up till this film, Tracy was getting older. Here, he is old. He plays a lovably taciturn former sailor who is raising a daughter who wants desperately to become an actress. And he plays it very well. Perhaps his best moments here are in the gymnasium sequence when he keeps losing his pants. Oh, and clearly, the old actor had man-boobs by this time...perhaps a bad choice of costuming. Watch for a cameo by Jackie Coogan in this segment. And, as he softens later in the film, the role becomes more interesting.
The film is the autobiographical story of actress Ruth Gordon, here played by Jean Simmons. She doesn't remind me a bit of Ruth Gordon. I'm not impressed.
The mother is played by Teresa Wright, and I doubt she much cared for this role.
Anthony Perkins plays the love interest for Simmons. Interesting early role for him -- his first film.
I'm glad to have seen this film, but it's not one of my favorite Tracy pics.