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Sam and Fran Dodsworth have it all. At least that is the way the movie starts. They are middle aged (50's), and he just sold his automobile company at a great profit. Additionally, she was born from wealth. So what is the matter? The movie depicts the disintegration of this marriage. The problem begins with Fran's (Ruth Chatterton) desire to go on a European cruise after Sam's (Walter Huston) retirement. We learn that she is not aging gracefully and that she does not want other people to know her real age. Additionally, she must have been in a boring marriage but hid it well. So now, she lets it all hang out. For the 1930s, this is one 2000 movie. Fran flirts and more with numerous men: first on the boat (David Niven), next in Paris (Paul Lukas), and again in Vienna (Gregory Gaye). In the meantime, her devoted husband allows it and thinks that she will get through this mid-life crisis. He returns alone to the United States to visit their daughter, who just gave birth to their first grandchild. But then he returns to Europe when he learns that his wife has a serious attachment to Arnold Iselin (Lukas). Dodsworth miserably forces a divorce and then reconciles and then leaves again. How this movie ends is up to you to see it. It is a predecessor to "Of Human Bondage" and "Kramer vs Kramer." This movie is on many people's "top 100 movies of all time" list. It was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor (Walter Huston), Best Supporting Actress (Maria Ouspenskaya), Best Sound Recording, Director (William Wyler), and Best Screenplay. It won an Oscar for Best Interior Decoration. Why have most people never heard of it? Who would have thought that a movie dated 1936 could be so fabulously photographed? Based on a earlier book by Sinclair Lewis, this movie could be re-enacted today because it is so true to the way things are in many marriages minus the wealth. Two final notes: (1) The music will haunt you for days. (2) The costumes worn by Ruth Chatterton would be in great demand today--if only we could see them in color!Read full review
Wonderful story about retirement and growing old. Great performances by all. It’s a movie you can watch over and over.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Walter Huston was so good in this movie...great story too.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The story brought home the pitfalls of vanity and human nature.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Timeless, well acted classic that never loses its appeal no matter how many times it’s watched.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned