Just did not get it ! - Dodsworth (1936) Discussion

[–] heyuactor 13 years ago

They were behaving in a charming way (most of the time), in spite of their flaws. It's a lot different than the junk in the theaters these days (except for The King's Speech, of course). This film isn't exactly my favorite, I give it a 6/10, but it's easy to see why it's revered, considering the good acting.

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

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[–] uhriaheap69 13 years ago

I do agree that most of Hollywood's films are junk today. I for one enjoy older films. However, this one just did not click with me. I am glad that most did like & enjoy this movie.

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[–] DryToast 13 years ago

I see both Mr.& Mrs. Dodsworth as self centered

Really? You do not notice how much effort Dodsworth repeatedly puts into trying to please Fran at every turn, despite his own wishes? What husband would allow his wife to have flirtations with other men and even to remain behind in Europe without him?

"If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance."

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[–] ms-zanadu 12 years ago

I agree with DryToast . The only self centered one in the Dodsworth marriage was Mrs. Dodsworth . It certainly wasn't fair to Mr. Dodsworth for trying to be understanding with his wife's outrageous whims and holding the marriage together at the same time . I felt very sad for him . It's a very good movie so far IMPO yet very tragic as well ( and I'm watching this one on TCM for the very first time too ) .

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[–] roghache 12 years ago

Well put by Dry Toast, I agree completely. Mr. Dodsworth is not in the least self centered, his wife is the definite villain of the piece.

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[–] rjoh106648 12 years ago

I saw it for the first time yesterday, and I couldn't understand all the fuss either. I found Ruth Chatterton very mannered and unconvincing, although I do realise that she was playing a very silly, spoiled menopausel female.

For me, Mary Astor would have been far more convincing in the role. She was so beautiful that you could understand that men were falling for her, and she was always so good as the bitch.

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[–] highwaystar50 12 years ago

Menopausal female? She said she was 35! Okay, well I didn't believe her either.
KS

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[–] RRozsa 10 years ago

She SAID she was 35, but the "WTF?" look the other lady shot her conveyed to us that Fran was trying to pass as a woman much younger than herself and that she was fooling no one. That was the underlying theme of the film -- the fact that she could not accept that she was past her prime.

Life's a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!

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[–] mcornett 10 years ago

Something never mentioned in the movie, but from the novel, is that Fran is 41 as the story begins.

Fran was a character I found both annoying and sympathetic. I see her as a woman who's never really had a life of her own and has always been someone's daughter or someone's wife or someone's mother, but never been just FRAN. Sadly, she's too selfish, snobbish, and shallow, and just too lacking in real maturity, to be a success at being on her own, and she doesn't realize all these gigolos are after her money. She's trying to live out her fantasies of being a sophisticated European, while her husband is far more interesting as the unashamed, unsophisticated American who's also open to learning new ideas and experiences.

"Value your education. It's something nobody can ever take away from you." My mom.

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[–] beetiesmom 10 years ago

I think you are right; she complained about the town they lived in (supposedly a smaller version of Detroit) along with just about everything else. Putting down women for their hats was so silly, but then, when Fran wouldn't allow Sam to chat on the phone with his daughter to see how their new grandson was doing was the height of self-centered egomania. Plus, how did all her whining about "Oh, I was such a child when you married me, I really was. It isn't FAIR!"----I wanted to smack her a good one! Sam was wayyy to indulgent, even towards the end, but thank heavens, he wised up. I wouldn't have been able to take it, if he hadn't. Glad I read the book, too, btw.

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[–] beetiesmom 10 years ago

You're right, mcornett---despite Fran's age, she is very immature and a show-off of the first degree. Her age has been mentioned anywhere from 40 to 44; in actuality, she seems to be around 5 or 6. Geesh..... I have a friend like this, or I should say "had", as I've decided I've had enough. A person like this drags you down and brings out the worst in the people around them, sadly.

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[–] CindyH 9 years ago

I cannot imagine what Mr. Dodsworth ever did that was self-centered. Mrs. Dodsworth was a trollop and got what was coming to her, but he was a gem. Any woman would have been lucky to have such an understanding and patient husband.

Random Thoughts: http://goo.gl/eXk3O

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[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] beetiesmom 9 years ago

I believe that if Edith hadn't come into the picture, Sam would STILL have trudged along after Fran, doing whatever she wanted him to do. No doubt, they would have gone back to Europe (or stayed in Europe), she would have found yet another big-wig to cozy up to, and probably would have sent Sam packing again. Maybe that would have made Sam angry enough to put an end to the two of them, I don't know. There is a follow-up book to "Dodsworth", but I haven't read it, and from old reviews of the book, it doesn't really focus on the Sam/Edith couple or what becomes of Fran. I would still like to see if I can find it (not sure of the title, but it shouldn't be too hard to locate...I hope).

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[–] mmitsos-1 8 years ago

No, I found Mr. Dodsworth VERY charming. He was simply, and finally, fed up with his bitchy, pathetic wife. I loved Mr. Dodsworth, but couldn't stand Fran.

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[–] prplayer 8 years ago

count me in, i found none of the characters remotely interesting, i couldn't get into the story at all, nothing worked in this movie for me

maybe it would appeal more to people who have experience in being married

so many movies, so little time

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