Dodsworth (1936)
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87% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
81% of users liked it
(1,250 ratings)
In this highly acclaimed adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's novel, Walter Huston plays Sam Dodsworth, a good-hearted, middle-aged man who runs an auto manufacturing firm. His wife Fran (Ruth Chatterton) is obsessed with the notion that she's growing old, and she eventually persuades Sam to sell his… More In this highly acclaimed adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's novel, Walter Huston plays Sam Dodsworth, a good-hearted, middle-aged man who runs an auto manufacturing firm. His wife Fran (Ruth Chatterton) is obsessed with the notion that she's growing old, and she eventually persuades Sam to sell his interest in the company and take her to Europe. He agrees for the sake of their marriage, but before long Fran has begun to think of herself as a cosmopolitan sophisticate and thinks of Sam as dull and unadventurous. Craving excitement, Fran begins spending her time with other men and eventually informs Sam that she's leaving him for a minor member of royalty. While in Italy, Sam runs into Edith Cortright (Mary Astor), an attractive widow whom he first met while sailing to Europe. Edith seems to understand Sam in a way his wife does not, and they fall in love. However, Sam impulsively breaks off their relationship, only to discover in her absence just how deeply he cares for her. Dodsworth was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Walter Huston), and Best Supporting Actress (Maria Ouspenskaya), though only art director Richard Day walked away with an Oscar. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
- Directed By
- William Wyler
- Written By
- Sinclair Lewis, Sidney Howard
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics
- In Theaters
- Sep 23, 1936 Limited
- On DVD
- Dec 11, 2001
- Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
Critic Reviews
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
By far the most sensitive, restrained, and effective piece of direction Wyler ever turned in, the film achieves a measure of greatness through the dignity and depth of Huston's superb interpretation of the plainspoken Yankee.
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Elliott Stein, Village Voice
Huston is superb as the plainspoken Midwestern businessman whose blissful world falls apart. The film remains the most emotionally compelling of Wyler's career.
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Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
The film version has done more than justice to Mr. Howard's play, converting a necessarily episodic tale, interrupted by fourteen curtains, into a smooth-flowing narrative of sustained interest, well-defined performance and good talk.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The smoothly flowing film packs an emotional wallop thanks largely to the endearingly sympathetic performance of the straightforward Walter Huston.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In William Wyler's subtle, beautifully directed marital drama, Walter Huston gives a distinguished performance as an ultra-decent and honest all-American mogul; it's his phony wife, well-played by Ruth Chatterton, who's the Ugly American Abroad.
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Cast
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Walter Hustonas Sam Dodsworth -
Ruth Chattertonas Fran Dodsworth -
Paul Lukasas Arnold Iselin
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Mary Astoras Edith Cortright -
David Nivenas Major Clyde Lockert -
Gregory Gayeas Kurt Von Obersdorf
