San Francisco (1936)
-
100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
70% of users liked it
(1,221 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… 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
- Directed By
- W.S. Van Dyke
- Written By
- Anita Loos, Erich von Stroheim
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics
Unrated,
- 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
..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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
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
