Rented this one last night...Based on a Sinclair Lewis novel, and directed by William Wyler.
Most of all, I was surprised at just how well this movie holds up, for something that was made in '36. It reminded me of All About Eve and Ikiru, movies that are decades old, but still timeless in their human themes.
Walter Huston--wow, I couldn't believe it was him, since the only other movie I've seen with him so far is Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and that was quite a long time ago. Also, Mary Astor puts in quite an appealing performance; what guy wouldn't want a Mrs. Cortright? I think Ruth Chatterton does a great job, too. With the disadvantage of playing a thoroughly selfish and superficial character, she still manages to evoke some sympathy (e.g., when she faces her prospective fiancee's mother). A young David Niven, a peak form Paul Lukas, and the authoritative Maria Ouspenskaya.
I really dig Wyler's films, he seems to be rather forgotten nowadays whenever people name-drop. Great shot: Lukas lighting Dodsworth's letter, and throwing it gently into the patio where it burns out.
Great film!
― Joe (Joe), Thursday, 1 May 2003 23:39 (twenty-one years ago) link