MovieChat Forums > Test Pilot (1938) Discussion > A Gem

A Gem

posted 17 years ago by 2001-4
8 replies | jump to latest

POTENTIAL SPOILERS!

Saw this film when quite young, and now again thanks to TCM.

Now better equipped to understand, this is a remarkable film borne out by the people behind the scenes - Victor Fleming and Howard Hawks, and of course the stars: Loy, Tracy and Gable.

Yes, it takes an abrupt turn to serious relationship drama after a slighly screwball beginning. That's the point. The turn takes place during a dangerous air race when Gable's ship is on fire. Tracy takes Loy to task for complaining about Gable's daredevil attitude. She married hin in a whirlwind, and now must face her decision. After sweeping Loy off her feet Gable tells her she'll be sorry. In an amazing performance, Loy is the quintessential American woman (or at least an idealized version of one) who never is sorry - at least to Gable's face. She rides a rollercoaster of emotion, and faces madness.

There's also an undercurrent of attraction/repulsion in Loy's relationship with Gable. She must decide between a stable, local farmer's attentions and a those of a brash flyer. The Bad Boy wins.

In the heady days before Hitler's agenda changed the World, this is a
sophisticated tale of acceptance. Gable is (mostly) incredibly irresponsible and selfish. It is Loy's love that transforms him.

Plus, I've never seen Tracy in better form. Ironically, Gable's performance is the weakest.

It's well written and directed. The Academy agreed with three nods.

If you can bear Black and White, and a different kind of filmmaking for a late 30's audience, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] eyesigns-1 16 years ago

I think Gable's performance is among his best, not his weakest. Check out the scene near the end where Barrymore's telling him what to expect from Myrna Loy's character -- and he delivers the whole scene in a humorous kind of denial, with tears almost dropping from his eyes!! Amazing stuff.

[–] rachel70802002 16 years ago

I really enjoyed this movie also. Gable and Barrymore worked well together as well as the other actors too. The story was good.

[–] olivabt 16 years ago

I've been reading Myrna Loy's autobiography and I think it was in this film that she said that Gable was terrified about a certain scene he had to do in which he had to act sensitive. Gable was so identified with the macho man roles he used to play he thought that audiences wouldn't like him if he became soft.
Anyway he played the scene beautifully but his inability to get beyond those macho roles ended up destroying him as he made himself believe he could do nothing else. Apparantly in real life he was very sensitive. For instance he used to read Shakespear's poetry to Myrna Loy when they were alone. She says that he had a beautiful reading voice but he always pretended to be a tough guy which in fact he wasn't.

It's sad that we never got to see this true side of him in his films. I've never been a fan of his as I thought he was wooden and couldn't act but after reading Myrna's book I can see why he was like that in his films.

[–] borodinrodin 13 years ago

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing that great insight to Gable. He often seemed a loveable charicature in many of his movies. In others he seemed to portray the brash confidence too over the top that was emblematic of that era's idealized man. I bet he could do a great version of that Sales manager turnaround guru (Alec Baldwin character) in Glengarry Glen Ross.

This movie was indeed a gem. Top actors tight direction.

[–] alistla 12 years ago

Let's not forget the script. It's AMAZING. The misdirection, the subtext, the double meanings, the quirky touches. I especially like how Myrna Loy describes why she loves Gable's character.

And then there's this line from Loy, giggling hysterically from the stress as Gable falls in the sky by parachute: "Wouldn't it be funny if it rained? If it rained, we'd all get wet. And he'd stay dry because he has an umbrella." And then she faints. Just brilliant stuff.

[–] tarmcgator 9 years ago

SPOILER AHEAD:

See my post under the thread, "I Must Be Missing Something."

It's easy to dismiss this as an "adventure" film. The aviation scenes are attractive, but it's the three lead characters who make this film special. Jim is jerk, and yet some people can't help but be charmed by him (including Mr. Drake) and forgive him just about anything. Gunner loves him in a "manly" way (no gay stuff in Production Code Hollywood), and he's surprised when Ann's love for Jim turns out to be the real thing, despite her imperfect knowledge as to what she's getting into when she marries him. Gunner and Ann both know that Jim is going to die someday, in the air. And that's pretty hard to live with.

Gable's performance is excellent -- it's the complexity of his character that throws some people off. Otherwise, I like your assessment.

[–] ms-zanadu 8 years ago

Totally agree with everyone above here ( and wonderful replies here too BTW )  .

This was an " Excellent Gem of a film " indeed   .

I'm watching this one for the very first time today on TCM
( and definitely giving this one an IMDB Vote of 10 ! )   .

Thanks 2001-4 for your subject post  .