Review of Dodsworth (1936) by Nate W — 01 Apr 2010

Rich guy (Walter Houston) gets lucky with widow (Mary Astor). Nominated for 7 Oscars including best picture 1936.

I know this film has adoring fans, but I unfortunately lost interest in this film half way through and found myself fast forwarding due to a slow pace. I didn't feel much of anything for Houston (Sam Dodsworth) or his wife Fran.

There's just something about 30's films that simply annoys the hell out of me and I wish someone would tell me what that something is.

This should have been an engrossing film by reading the reviews, but I just can't get past the way these older films portray the wealthy or actually, it's the way people act in them.

It's as if they are on a Broadway stage. The opening scenes at the mansion are rather typical of the era.

Sam Dodsworth sells his auto plant to UM and says a fond fairwell of sorts to hundreds of working stiffs. Retreating to his mansion far away from the gray, dismal plant, his gay and bubbly wife (Fran) greets him to hold his hand through this "devasting" moment.

What? a wealthy industrialist that has feelings? He has all the money and fame anyone could desire and still can't get it together. I found it hard to sympathize with the "plight" of this character. Walter Houston also did not make an impression on me as a leading man. He could have been the butler.

And here is why the film did not keep my interest. I couldn't get involved with Walter Houston the man, let alone actor. He does nothing for me. Maybe a different actor would have helped this film for me.

Note: Dodsworth was entirely made in Hollywood even though it is set in Europe. Rear projection screens were used to insert European location scenes.

Dodsworth seems like such an uncreative, even corny film in the first half, maybe I should try to watch the second half and rewrite this review?

I will do that and see if Dodsworth is "worth" it.