Dodsworth (1936)

A retired auto manufacturer consents to a European vacation to please his vain wife, who is in denial about her age and uses the trip as a chance to flirt with other men.

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Sinclair Lewis (novel), Sidney Howard (dramatisation),

Stars:

Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton, Paul Lukas

Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Walter Huston	...	Sam Dodsworth
Ruth Chatterton	...	Fran Dodsworth
Paul Lukas	...	Arnold Iselin
Mary Astor	...	Mrs. Edith Cortright
Kathryn Marlowe	...	Emily Dodsworth McKee
David Niven	...	Capt. Clyde Lockert
Gregory Gaye	...	Baron Kurt Von Obersdorf
Maria Ouspenskaya	...	Baroness Von Obersdorf (as Mme. Maria Ouspenskaya)
Odette Myrtil	...	Renée De Penable
John Payne	...	Harry McKee (as John Howard Payne)
Spring Byington	...	Matey Pearson
Harlan Briggs	...	Tubby Pearson

Storyline

A bittersweet tale of the increasing estrangement of a retired automobile tycoon and his wife. Increasingly obsessed with maintaining an appearance of youth, she falls in with a crowd of frivolous socialites during their "second honeymoon" European vacation. He, in turn, meets a woman who is everything she is not; self-assured, self-confident, and able to take care of herself.

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Plot Keywords:

vacation | socialite | reconciliation | trip | aging | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German Italian

Release Date:

23 September 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az élnivágyó asszony

Filming Locations:

Goldwyn Studios, Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Wide Range Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the top 20 box office hits of its year.

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Goofs

The way Sam holds the pole when told he has a call from Vienna changes.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Secretary: [offscreen] Mr. Dodsworth?
Sam Dodsworth: Yes.
Secretary: The men are ready.

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Connections

Featured in American Masters: Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Auld Lang Syne"
(1788)
Traditional Scottish 17th century music
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Played during the opening scene

User Reviews

One of the best movies of Hollywood's Golden Age

Simply outstanding. An adult, intelligent film which is not to be missed. Walter Huston is magnificent as the title character, a man who sees his carefully crafted life slipping away from him. As the vain, selfish Fran Dodsworth, Ruth Chatterton gives the best performance of her career. And Mary Astor--one of the best actresses ever to grace the screen--is both moving and beautiful as the warm divorcee who falls in love with Huston. Superbly directed by William Wyler. A truly great film.