Dodsworth or September Affair

Why compare these two movies? To me, they seem similar. The plot in both revolves around a wealthy American industrialist who is either living or touring in Europe.

Seemingly Dodsworth is more highly respected. It's rated 8.0 on IMDB. SA is only 6.8. Moreover Over 5,100 people voted for Dodsworth while SA only has 360 voters.

But, I think SA is a forgotten classic It has a very clever plot. Two Americans are in Milan when they learn the plane they should have been on crashed and they are reported as dead. Thus, they have a chance to start a new life in Italy.

The acting is very good in both movies but SA has the famous September Song. Of course, this song is a standard. It is while this song is playing that Joan Fontaine and Joseph Cotten begin to fall in love. And who was the singer? None other than Dodsworth himself (Walter Huston.)

In SA, Joan Fontaine's character is a concert pianist and she plays Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto. The 2nd theme from the 3rd movement is among the most beautiful music ever written.

So, my vote is for September Affair. I admit that I preferred Dodsworth's ending.