What on earth was the brand of English that Tracy was trying to speak?
It seemed to be a combination of Voice of America's 'Special English' and 'Me Tarzan, You Jane'
It didn't have the slightest trace of any Mexican/Spanish
A pretty simplistic movie in any case - sure hope Steinbeck's book a lot better.
But thank heavens for Hedy Lamarr :-)
I think the only one who pulled it of was John Qualen, a master of accents & dialects.
But giving the movie makers the benefit of the doubt, these were American ancestors of Mexicans living in the 20th Century. I could see some dilution of their accents.
I thought Spencer Tracy's language was appropriate (but his dark make-up was not.) Danny and his friends are a version of the knights of the Round Table. Tracy's archaic and stilted manner of speaking helps to place them in those mythical times. Also, according to Steinbeck, Paisanos are a mixture of Spanish, Indian, Mexican and assorted caucasian bloods who speak English and Spanish with a Paisano accent, which could be any sort of accent because Paisanos are a people made up by Steinbeck.
shareOK - but I still say Hedy Lamarr as Hedy Lamarr saved the day
shareI'm not sure if you're referring to her Austrian accent which makes her more exotic in this role or her on-screen presence, but either way I can't disagree with you. I haven't seen all of her movies but in every one I've seen she lights up the screen as much as she does here.
shareActually I'm just referring to her being just HER - even completely silent :-)
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