USA 1936
Dodsworth shows a marriage on the brink of dissolution with a realism
and complexity that’s rare in films from any era. After 20 years of hard work,
Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston) has just sold his automotive company and is
looking forward to spending his extremely well-funded retirement with his
beloved wife Fran (Ruth Chatterton). The day after Sam leaves the company, the
couple sail for Europe full of high hopes and happiness. But Fran’s increasing
dependence on the attentions of other men threatens their marriage, forcing Sam
to make some painful decisions.
Among the movie’s many pleasant surprises is its subject matter: a
well-established relationship in turmoil (well, perhaps “pleasant” isn’t quite
the right word). Throughout Hollywood history, marriage has generally come at
the end of a romantic movie rather than two decades before its beginning. Plus,
Sam and Fran truly love each other, and Huston and Chatterton beautifully convey
their familiar fondness in their first scene together. However, even in that
first scene, you can also glimpse Fran’s discontent with the small town where
they live and her fervent desire to be seen as worldlier – and considerably
younger – than she actually is.
Dodsworth was nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1937, including Best
Picture, Best Director and Best Writing, Screenplay. The only Oscar it won was
for Art Direction, which it deserved. But the most criminally non-awarded
nomination the film garnered was Huston’s Best Actor turn. Huston’s flawless
performance as Sam Dodsworth is the film’s greatest joy. When Huston pores over
a sea captain’s map, then drags Fran off the dance floor to see a lighthouse off
the coast of England, your heart goes out to this middle-aged man who still
takes a boyish delight in the world around him. Likewise, when he withstands
Fran’s veiled insults in front of her friends, or tries to wait out her midlife
crisis, you can sense his pain all too well. It’s not so much a performance as
it is a perfect habitation of a character, and it should have been rewarded by
Hollywood.
Honestly, the only negative things I can say about this movie involve the
inevitable problems with many older films. The screen format is the
non-widescreen television-friendly aspect ratio, and the quality of the stock is
borderline in many places. However, once the movie starts, you’ll probably quit
noticing the occasional static pops and white specks on the film. Dodsworth
now has the dubious honour of being the oldest movie on my personal All-Time Top
10.
Excerpt from Catherine Cantieri's review at the Apollo film Guide located HERE.
Posters
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Theatrical Release: 23 September 1936 - USA
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
HBO - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC
Big thanks to Ole Kofoed for the HBO Screen Caps!
(HBO - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)
| DVD Box Covers |
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| Distribution |
HBO Region 1 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 1:40:57 | 1:41:09 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
HBO
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Bitrate:
MGM
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| Audio | English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono, DD 2.0 Surround (Chase Surround Sound) , French, German, Italian and Spanish DD mono. |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French (Dolby Digital 2.0
Mono) |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, French or none. | English, Spanish, French or none. |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: HBO Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters
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Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: December 11, 2001 Chapters |
| Comments |
Looks that both are from the same print ( with
same damage marks). The HBO has a yellowish/sepia tinge to it, but truly, there
is not a lot of difference in these two editions - same subtitle options, but
the HBO has some additional audio DUBS. Nothing appears to be cut or cropped.
The HBO has some minor Bio additions for Extras where as the MGM has none. I
suppose get whichever is most reasonably priced - or that you can find without
effort. This is a good film - shame it hasn't had better treatment yet.
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DVD Menus
(HBO - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM
- Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
(HBO - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(HBO - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(HBO - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(HBO - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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| Distribution |
HBO Region 1 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
Report Card:
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Image: |
MGM (slightly) |
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Sound: |
HBO |
| Extras: | HBO |
| Menu: |
HBO |
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks... .
