Come and Get It (1936)

89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(825 ratings)

Set in the woodlands of Wisconsin, Come and Get It stars Edward Arnold as a logger-turned-lumber tycoon. In his rise to the top, Arnold loses out on a chance for lasting happiness by spurning earthy dance hall girl (Frances Farmer), who marries his best pal (Walter Brennan) on the rebound. Marrying… More Set in the woodlands of Wisconsin, Come and Get It stars Edward Arnold as a logger-turned-lumber tycoon. In his rise to the top, Arnold loses out on a chance for lasting happiness by spurning earthy dance hall girl (Frances Farmer), who marries his best pal (Walter Brennan) on the rebound. Marrying for position rather than love, Arnold becomes a society leader in Milwaukee. His son (Joel McCrea) falls in love with the daughter of Arnold's first love (Frances Farmer plays both mother and daughter). Himself smitten by the daughter, Arnold battles with his son over the girl's affection, only to be shocked back into his senses when the girl reprimands his son, "Don't hit him! He's an old man!" Based on a novel by Edna Ferber, Come & Get It carries two directorial credits: William Wyler was dismissed early on by producer Sam Goldwyn, and when Howard Hawks took over, it was on the proviso that Wyler be given co-directing billing. For his performance as Edward Arnold's Scandinavian cohort, Walter Brennan won the first-ever "best supporting actor" Oscar. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Howard Hawks
Written By: Jules Furthman, Jane Murfin
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 6, 1936 Wide
On DVD: Mar 8, 2005

Critic Reviews

Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
Although there is nothing new in the theme, it has been simply and powerfully expressed by a number of admirable performances, and it has been played against an interesting background.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The first part of the film, the best, is unmistakably Hawks.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Stinging look at how big business exploits and destroys Nature.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Frances Farmer as the hardened beer-hall tart is beguilingly stylized
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Botched melodrama that's based on the novel by Edna Ferber.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This melodrama, based on Edna Ferber's novel, is better known for its offscreen facts and scandals. It's a co-directed Oscar-winning film, which gives a rare opportunity to see the acting of Frances Farmer.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
This drippy material was generally not the kind of stuff that suited Hawks, but he made the best of it with the film's spirited barroom brawls and a delightful scene in which McCrea and Farmer pull taffy together.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The film may not amount to much, but it's hard to deny the entertainment value of such an over-the-top storyline.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This movie does have it's funny moments, but most of the time it's talky and boring.
Mark H

Overlooked melodrama about a lumber tycoon who marries to further his career and abandons the woman he truly loves. Credible production is perhaps more fascinating for its behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Howard Hawks was fired by producer Samuel Goldwyn after directing the first half,… More
Overlooked melodrama about a lumber tycoon who marries to further his career and abandons the woman he truly loves. Credible production is perhaps more fascinating for its behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Howard Hawks was fired by producer Samuel Goldwyn after directing the first half, and subsequently hired William Wyler to complete the film. This is reflected in the shifting storyline. Starts out as virile logging adventure then fades into an over plotted soap opera, all the while distinguished by solid performances. Character actor Edward Arnold stars as Barney Glasgow, the businessman determined to succeed. As both mother and daughter, troubled actress Frances Farmer is also worth watching in one of her rare film performances. Interestingly it was Walter Brennan who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his likable but unremarkable work as Glasgow's lifelong friend. Sweeping drama is also notable for the extraordinary logging sequences in the first half.