Manhattan Melodrama (1934)

Featured Audience Ratings

• William D

  
  "Manhattan Melodrama," which won an Oscar for Best Screenplay, is yet another 1930s gem that I've found lately. First was "Dancing Lady," then "Hell's Angels," and now "Manhattan Melodrama." The 1930s were a golden age of American… More
  "Manhattan Melodrama," which won an Oscar for Best Screenplay, is yet another 1930s gem that I've found lately. First was "Dancing Lady," then "Hell's Angels," and now "Manhattan Melodrama." The 1930s were a golden age of American cinema, and I've barely scratched the surface of it. How exciting it must have been in that era to work in the movies. Clark Gable (who was also in "Dancing Lady") and William Powell play men who've had a life-long bond. They were orphaned together on the same day in a terrible boating accident. One is studious and upstanding (Powell); the other (Gable) is a drop-out who got into bootlegging and gambling. When the studious one becomes Manhattan District Attorney, his close friendship with a gangster becomes a problem. When their lives begin to intersect more, including sharing a woman (played wonderfully by Myrna Loy), the complications multiply. It's a fascinating, pretty serious drama that I can't imagine would disappoint anyone. It's also briskly paced, brilliantly edited, and perfectly directed (by W.S. Van Dyke). Highly recommended. Incidental note: Gangster John Dillinger saw this movie the night he died. He was shot by FBI agents as he exited the theater. I can certainly see why he would have been attracted to this movie. It's a complex portrait of a boy born on the wrong side of the tracks.

• AJ V

  
  I'm not sure why this film is talked about so much, it isn't very different from other gangster movies of the time. There are some good actors in the movie, though, the best thing about this movie was the actors.

• jay n

  
  Notorious but very hokey drama. Gable exudes charisma and star quality but Powell is just too good to be true and Myrna Loy is surprisingly arch and affected. A bad performance from a usually stellar actress.

• Michael G

  
  The first non-Thin Man Powell/Loy movie I've seen. It took me a little while to get over the lack of snappy banter between them and even though the chemistry between them here is lacking a little, they were still good together. Gable was charismatic, Loy was as always luminous… More
  The first non-Thin Man Powell/Loy movie I've seen. It took me a little while to get over the lack of snappy banter between them and even though the chemistry between them here is lacking a little, they were still good together. Gable was charismatic, Loy was as always luminous and Powell was his usual likable self. The last 20 minutes didn't sit right with me as far as Gable and Powell's characters went. Powell was too absolute and Gable was too jolly, even when facing the electric chair. Van Dyke's direction was great, namely with the opening sequence--as jarring as it was. Fun piece of trivia with this movie--this is the movie John Dillinger saw right before the police gunned him down. Apparently he was a huge Myrna Loy fan, so beauty killed the beast here.

• MJS M

  
  This movie is probably best remembered for the fact that it was the last movie Johnny Dillinger saw before being shot dead outside the theater (as depicted in the film Public Enemies). Outside of that infamy it isn?t really remembered as well as other gangster films of the era like… More
  This movie is probably best remembered for the fact that it was the last movie Johnny Dillinger saw before being shot dead outside the theater (as depicted in the film Public Enemies). Outside of that infamy it isn?t really remembered as well as other gangster films of the era like Little Ceaser, The Public Enemy, and Scarface. Perhaps part of what?s responsible for the film?s relative obscurity is that it has a horrible title (although I suppose it?s a fairly accurate description). Also I think it might have to do with the fact that its star, Clark Gable, isn?t really known as a tough guy the way James Cagney or Paul Munni were. That would seem to suggest that he was miscast, but that isn?t really the case, because his character is pretty different from those guys, and he was also pretty different from John Dillinger. This wasn?t the kind of guy who would be driving around robbing banks himself. He could certainly handle a gun but for the most part he was more the kind of gangster who would control a vast empire, the kind of guy who would rather run a phone scam than personally rob a bank. The film?s relative obscurity is unfortunate because it?s actually a pretty strong work. The film?s story is pretty intriguing, pitting two child friends on opposite sides of the law against each other. Not exactly the most original set up in the world but there?s still drama to it. The film also interestingly ends with a moral dilemma rather than a shootout. Gable proves to be a strong lead, and it interestingly also features Mickey Roony playing Gable as a child. There are some of the typical problems that Hollywood films of the era had to deal with, but for a film made in ?34 it seemed fairly modern. If you?re going to get shot over a movie, this is a pretty good one to do it for.

• nefnie l

  
  As I learned from Robert Osborne prior to watching this film, this was the last film John Dillinger saw before he was gunned down outside the movie theater. Was it worth the risk? I would say so! Gable and Powell are lifelong friends who took different paths - Gable a gambler and… More
  As I learned from Robert Osborne prior to watching this film, this was the last film John Dillinger saw before he was gunned down outside the movie theater. Was it worth the risk? I would say so! Gable and Powell are lifelong friends who took different paths - Gable a gambler and Powell a D.A. As expected, the two become on opposite sides of the law when Powell has to prosecute Gable on murder charges. The strength of their bond never weakens even as Powell marries Gable's gal, played by Loy. A great story about morals, friendship, and love. The performances are outstanding, and the start of many great movies with Powell and Loy.

• cody f

  
  A little too much melodrama, but you put Gable,Powell, and Loy in a film then its GOLD. Alot of fun to watch.

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