San Francisco (1936)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(1,168 ratings)

The MGM historical "spectacular" San Francisco was allegedly based on a three-sentence synopsis, submitted verbally to producer B.F. Zeidman by studio troubleshooter Bob Hopkins. The story begins on the Barbary Coast on New Year's Eve, 1906, as rakish but likeable political boss Blackie Norton… More The MGM historical "spectacular" San Francisco was allegedly based on a three-sentence synopsis, submitted verbally to producer B.F. Zeidman by studio troubleshooter Bob Hopkins. The story begins on the Barbary Coast on New Year's Eve, 1906, as rakish but likeable political boss Blackie Norton (Clark Gable) hires demure young singer Mary Blake (Jeanette MacDonald) to perform at his rowdy Paradise gambling house. Local priest Father Mullin (Spencer Tracy), Blackie's best friend, disapproves of the exploitation of the lovely Mary, feeling that she's suited for classier surroundings. Jack Hurley (Jack Holt), Nob Hill socialite and Blackie's political rival, agrees with Father Mullin and offers the girl the opportunity to sing with the San Francisco Opera. Blackie, who's fallen in love with Mary but won't admit it to himself, jealously holds on to her contract, forcing Mary to walk out on him. For the rest of the film, Mary is torn between the "respectable" lifestyle offered her by Hurley and the baser creature comforts provided by Blackie. It looks for a while that Hurley has won out, but fate takes a hand in the form of the devastating San Francisco Earthquake of April 18, 1906 (a special effects tour de force for art directors Arnold Gillespie and his uncredited associate James Basevi). Hurley is killed in the holocaust, while Blackie, desperately searching for Mary in the rubble, at long last finds religion and prays to God for his sweetheart's salvation. At the end, an unidentified bit player shouts defiantly "We'll build a new San Francisco!" -- and by golly, they do! The Hollywood censors were not so much bothered by the sexual subtext of San Francisco or its harrowing earthquake finale as they were by a scene in which Father Mullin is knocked down by an unrepentant Blackie. To "purify" this potentially blasphemous sequence, screenwriter Anita Loos quickly added an earlier scene in which Mullin and Blackie, both dressed in turtleneck sweaters, genially duke it out at an exercise gym, whereupon the priest cold-cocks Blackie with the greatest of ease. By establishing that Mullin could have punched out Blackie, but chooses not to in the controversial later scene, not only allows that scene to pass, but also strengthened the priest's character. San Francisco proved to be one of MGM's biggest hits, remaining in almost constant reissue for the next three decades. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: W.S. Van Dyke
Written By: Anita Loos, Erich von Stroheim
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 26, 1936 Wide
On DVD: Jun 20, 2006
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A huge blockbuster, this MGM melodrama is mostly known for its ten-minute recreation of the 1906 Earthquake, but it also has an emotionally engaging story and is extremely well-acted by Gable, Tracy, and Jeanette MacDonald, who sings the famous song.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
San Francisco is grand entertainment, nominated for six Academy Awards
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
..a big, brawling, boisterous, sentimental, touching, inspiring, thoroughly entertaining motion picture.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Dated but classy MGM spectacular.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Gable, Tracy, McDonald singing - and an earthquake. Who could ask for anything more? A typical MGM extravaganza.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Engagingly silly epic with soap opera story.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
The most interesting thing about this film was its phenomenal re-enactment of the San Francisco earthquake.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Rico Z

This is a pretty remarkable achievement as far as disaster films are concerned. It actually has an engaging story that doesn't necessarily revolve around the Great Quake of 1906, yet it feels urgent and ominous as the events that you watch all lead up to that inevitable climax.… More
This is a pretty remarkable achievement as far as disaster films are concerned. It actually has an engaging story that doesn't necessarily revolve around the Great Quake of 1906, yet it feels urgent and ominous as the events that you watch all lead up to that inevitable climax. Also, the special effects are pretty amazing considering that this film was made a mere 30 years after the real-life events it's depicting. Definitely worth a watch!
Mark H

Classic MGM spectacle is highlighted by remarkable re-enactment of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. What's more, this romantic drama includes an engaging story as well. Young, classically-trained singer is plucked from obscurity and becomes a success. Complications arise… More
Classic MGM spectacle is highlighted by remarkable re-enactment of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. What's more, this romantic drama includes an engaging story as well. Young, classically-trained singer is plucked from obscurity and becomes a success. Complications arise when she is also offered a chance to sing with the Opera, in decidedly classier surroundings. Grand, but dated period film was a huge blockbuster in its day and it's easy to see why. Nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture.
jay n

good earthquake reenactment but the rest is pure melodrama

Cast

            Clark Gable as Blackie Norton

            Jeanette MacDonald as Mary Blake

            Spencer Tracy as Father Tim Mullin

            Jack Holt as Jack Burley

            Jessie Ralph as Mrs. Burley

            Ted Healy as Mat

            Shirley Ross as Trixie

            Margaret Irving as Della Bailey

            Harold Huber as Babe

            Al Shean as Professor

            William Ricciardi as Signor Baldini

            Kenneth Harlan as Chick

            Roger Imhof as Alaska

            Charles Judels as Tony

            Russell Simpson as Red Kelly

            Bert Roach as Freddie Duane

            Warren Hymer as Hazeltine

            Jean Acker
            
            Maude Allen as Elderly Woman

            Sam Ash as Orchestra Leader

            Gertrude Astor as Drunk's Girl

            Irving Bacon as Picnicker

            Jane Barnes as Girl

            Vince Barnett as Drunk

            Jack Baxley as Kinko

            Nyas Berry as Dancer

            Sidney Bracey as Burley's Butler

            Fritzi Brunette
            
            Tommy Bupp as Bill

            Orrin Burke as Pompous Man

            Richard Carle as Founders' Club Member

            Helene Chadwick
            
            Naomi Childers
            
            George Pat Collins as Bartender

            Adrienne D'Ambricourt as Mme. Albani

            Nigel De Brulier as Old Man

            Vernon Dent as Fat Man

            Edward Earle as Bit Man

            Flora Finch
            
            Chester Gan as Jowl Lee

            Bud Geary as Man Restraining Blackie after Quake

            Ruth Gillette
            
            Sherry Hall as Well-Wisher

            Edward Hearn as Parishioner

            Cy Kendall as Headwaiter

            Edgar Kennedy as Sheriff

            Jack Kennedy as Mike Old Irishman in Church

            Ralph Lewis as Members of Founders' Club

            Wilbur Mack as Bartender

            George Magrill as A Marine

            Frank Mayo as Dealer

            Tom McGuire as Bartender

            Bob McKenzie as Messenger

            John Miller as Man on Stretcher

            Belle Mitchell as Mary's Maid

            Harry Myers as Reveler

            William Newell as Man in Breadline

            Bill O'Brien as Waiter

            Spec O'Donnell as Man Praying

            Pat O'Malley as Fireman

            Jason Robards Sr. as Father

            Beatrice Roberts as Forrestal Guest

            Henry Roquemore as Drinker

            Don Rowan as Coast Type

            Frank Sheridan as Founders' Club Member

            Carl Stockdale as Salvation Army Man

            Harry Strang as Soldier

            Charles Sullivan as Fire Spectator

            Ben Taggart as Cop

            Rosemary Theby
            
            David Thursby as Man

            Tudor Williams as Mephistopheles

            Otho Wright as Fireman

            Oscar Apfel as Founders' Club Member

            John Kelly as Kelly

            Bruce Mitchell as Heckler

            Dennis O'Keefe as New Year's Celebrant

            George Guhl
            
            James Macklin as Young Man

            Jim Farley as Charlie Police Captain

            Tom Dugan as Drunk

            Helen Shipman as Bit

            John Pearson as Stooge

            James Brewster Thompson as Stooge

            King Baggot
            
See full cast