tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post1024357453168927072..comments2024-01-25T07:08:17.130-05:00Comments on 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: Dodsworth (1936) **Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-75578354181687879862013-05-09T10:41:32.724-04:002013-05-09T10:41:32.724-04:00Cliff, I think Astor would have been compelling as...Cliff, I think Astor would have been compelling as Fran, but it was nice to see her play against type. I agree about Huston being very comfortable with Dodsworth--as you noted, he'd played that part on stage. Thanks for stopping by!Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-62857487301625717742013-05-09T05:19:04.237-04:002013-05-09T05:19:04.237-04:00We agree on much of this, though I'm pretty su...We agree on much of this, though I'm pretty sure I liked the overall movie more than you did. Huston is amazing! He had played the part on stage and winds up very at home in his Dodsworth skin in the movie. (You also singled out my favorite line at the top!) I also disliked Chatterton here, though I do like her a little more in some pre-Codes (saw Lily Turner recently and she was great!). I know we're supposed to dislike her Fran, but as Chatterton played her I was left wondering what Sam could have ever seen her. Would have liked her to have a couple of good qualities to go with her faults. Love Astor (in a part played on stage by Huston's wife). I wrote about this one awhile back myself and mentioned that I would have liked to have seen Astor and Chatterton swap parts. I like my Mary less sweet and thought Fran Dodsworth would have been right up her alley! Enjoyed your review, thanks for posting!Cliff Alipertihttp://immortalephemera.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-12045831872622306902013-05-07T01:00:59.367-04:002013-05-07T01:00:59.367-04:00FC: Ruth got way beyond my nerves. FC: Ruth got way beyond my nerves. Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-75834019406414681462013-05-06T20:59:58.353-04:002013-05-06T20:59:58.353-04:00Aww..too bad Ruth got on your bad side! I actually...Aww..too bad Ruth got on your bad side! I actually liked her performance and yes - it is so nice to Mary as a good person (especialy since we know what a great bitch she could be!).FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-57432130054190990492013-05-06T18:31:44.403-04:002013-05-06T18:31:44.403-04:00John, as you know, everyone has their own unique v...John, as you know, everyone has their own unique view on what makes them like a film. I didn't hate this, but I didn't think it was all that special, either. Still, Huston is quite good and Astor, too.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-80192136888724991982013-05-06T18:30:20.219-04:002013-05-06T18:30:20.219-04:00I think a lot of people start to sympathize with F...I think a lot of people start to sympathize with Fran as the film goes on, but I just can't get to that point. Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-35606109396725242402013-05-06T18:28:57.927-04:002013-05-06T18:28:57.927-04:00Thanks, Gwen. I always thought Depression Era come...Thanks, Gwen. I always thought Depression Era comedies were more appropriate and interesting.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-31765582173730374022013-05-06T18:27:58.235-04:002013-05-06T18:27:58.235-04:00I wasn't all that impressed. I did like Astor&...I wasn't all that impressed. I did like Astor's fur, though. Please don't tell PETA.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-39032248176957180252013-05-06T17:17:32.099-04:002013-05-06T17:17:32.099-04:00Kim, I recently watched this for the first time ju...Kim, I recently watched this for the first time just a while back and thought it one of the best films on marriage and how it can change as the years go by. Huston na Chatterton were both wonderful. Enjoyed reading your take on it though we disagree. John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-32726698676537512042013-05-06T16:56:30.055-04:002013-05-06T16:56:30.055-04:00Yes, I loved the evening gowns..Yes, I loved the evening gowns..Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421976438809816553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-28050861165982030962013-05-06T16:37:53.462-04:002013-05-06T16:37:53.462-04:00Kim, sorry to hear you didn't like 'Dodswo...Kim, sorry to hear you didn't like 'Dodsworth' more, as I am a big fan of it and think both Huston and Chatterton are excellent - must agree with you that Chatterton's character is annoying to start with but I think she becomes more understandable and easier to sympathise with as the film goes on. She's an actress I've gradually warmed to as I've seen more of her films - I love her in the pre-Code Lilly Turner. It's a pity Mary Astor doesn't get more screen time, but as usual she is great even in a smaller role. Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-61873103195528758352013-05-06T15:58:35.678-04:002013-05-06T15:58:35.678-04:00Thanks for the review. I agree with you absolutely...Thanks for the review. I agree with you absolutely about preferring the Depression-era comedies to dramas. As someone who would follow Mary Astor and Walter Huston anywhere, I enjoyed hearing your thoughts in their performances.Fritzi Kramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09866805242123627398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-16463515993120194322013-05-06T15:53:46.139-04:002013-05-06T15:53:46.139-04:00Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy Dodswo...Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy Dodsworth when you finally get to see it.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-78597561042683003452013-05-06T15:53:03.709-04:002013-05-06T15:53:03.709-04:00I expect Fran was supposed to be affected, but Cha...I expect Fran was supposed to be affected, but Chatterton was always affected so it makes it difficult to tell.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-152391084540081172013-05-06T15:46:00.740-04:002013-05-06T15:46:00.740-04:00This is a film I have yet to see, since I'm a ...This is a film I have yet to see, since I'm a huge fan of the 1930s. Thanks for highlighting the performance of Walter Huston, when I finally watch it I'll be sure to pay attention to him!<br />Don't forget to read my contribution to the blogathon! :)<br />Kisses!Lêhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419693749682458647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-69820178122536459272013-05-06T14:49:04.376-04:002013-05-06T14:49:04.376-04:00I thought Chatterton came across as affected too, ...I thought Chatterton came across as affected too, but I thought her character was supposed to be that way. Then again, I've never seen her in anything else.Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11376065182154885503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-9484214904462859322013-05-06T09:39:11.382-04:002013-05-06T09:39:11.382-04:00We can't agree on everything, Siochembio. But...We can't agree on everything, Siochembio. But, you and TS are right, Fran was probably meant to be grating.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-14845319339336806012013-05-06T09:38:06.779-04:002013-05-06T09:38:06.779-04:00Did you like the costumes? I didn't really se...Did you like the costumes? I didn't really see anything that caught my eye, except the fact that Fran's wardrobe was not especially age appropriate for the most part.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-48983366103905516932013-05-06T09:36:59.863-04:002013-05-06T09:36:59.863-04:00TS, we have been down this road before: not everyt...TS, we have been down this road before: not everything shines as brightly for everyone. As such, you obviously really liked this and I just thought it average. You are right, few films (even today) portray divorce in a happy way. Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-49232629165612648682013-05-06T08:45:14.839-04:002013-05-06T08:45:14.839-04:00Dodsworth floored me when I saw it, so I disagree ...Dodsworth floored me when I saw it, so I disagree with your rating, but I do agree that Chatterton was annoying. However, as TSorensen says, I think she's meant to be that way, especially as a reflection of Huston's character. I also think her awful demeanor is her going through a midlife crisis and not handling it well in the slightest. She and her husband are changing and in opposite ways - it's got to be grating on both of them.siochembiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11487373396181856763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-30764354076537076652013-05-06T07:33:25.788-04:002013-05-06T07:33:25.788-04:00I enjoyed watching the film Dodsworth, even with t...I enjoyed watching the film Dodsworth, even with the emotional sad ending of a marriage.. David Niven, does a wonderful job with one of his first performances. Mary Astor, gives a wonderful performance, as always. The costumes are absolutely beautiful in a film that you will not soon forget.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421976438809816553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-1767114343731916602013-05-06T01:49:34.477-04:002013-05-06T01:49:34.477-04:00I am sorry to say I disagree with you both on Dods...I am sorry to say I disagree with you both on Dodsworth as a film and Ruth Chatterton. As it was mentioned above, the Fran character I think is meant to be grating. She pushes the strings on that marriage until breaking point until it is clear to anyone what a delusioned idiot she is. The film is really about Sam who get to know his wife in a new way and has to move from trusting and loving her to finally take the battle and break with her. It is a huge journey for someone like him and I feel with him all the way. It is for the depiction of this journey and the man who takes it that I really love this film. <br />If on the other hand you would insist on rooting for Fran and hope that somehow she will come around this film will be very hard to see. She makes it very hard to like her.<br />Think of how few films of the era presents divorce as a happy and right outsome? That makes this film very rare indeed.<br />Astor is a darling. She shines here.TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-76229565942054169612013-05-06T01:14:07.141-04:002013-05-06T01:14:07.141-04:00You know me, Patti, it takes the jaws of life to g...You know me, Patti, it takes the jaws of life to get extra stars out of me. Astor is rather pretty here, but in a refined manner.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-12090941663744721812013-05-06T01:13:09.174-04:002013-05-06T01:13:09.174-04:00You have a point, Chatterton's overly-theatric...You have a point, Chatterton's overly-theatrical style is appropriate for Fran, but I still find her beyond annoying.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-24578305273000313582013-05-06T01:12:04.872-04:002013-05-06T01:12:04.872-04:00It was a treat, Ruth! It was a treat, Ruth! Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.com