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Title: San Francisco (1936)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Clark Gable | ... | ||
| Jeanette MacDonald | ... | ||
| Spencer Tracy | ... | ||
| Jack Holt | ... | ||
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Jessie Ralph | ... | |
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Ted Healy | ... |
Mat
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Shirley Ross | ... |
Trixie
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Margaret Irving | ... | |
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Harold Huber | ... |
'Babe'
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Edgar Kennedy | ... |
Sheriff
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Al Shean | ... |
Professor
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William Ricciardi | ... |
Signor Baldini
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Kenneth Harlan | ... |
'Chick'
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Roger Imhof | ... | |
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Charles Judels | ... |
Tony
(as Charles Judells)
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Storyline
Mary Blake arrives at Blackie Norton's Paradise gambling hall and beer garden looking for work as a singer. Blackie embarrasses her by asking to see her legs, but does hire her. She faints from hunger. Nob Hill Socialite Jack Burley and Maestro Baldini of the Tivoli Opera House see her singing and offer her a chance to do opera, but Blackie has her under a two-year contract which she sorrowfully stands by. Later, when he makes up posters featuring Mary in tights, she does leave for the Tivoli. Blackie gets an injunction against Burley, but knocks out the process server when he hears Mary's performance as Marguerite in "Faust". She asks her to marry him and she agrees to go back to the Paradise as his kind of singer, but Blackie's childhood chum Father Tim intervenes. After Blackie slugs the priest, Mary leaves. She is soon the star of the Tivoli and Blackie's place is closed down. She sings a rousing "San Francisco" on behalf of the Paradise at the annual "Chicken Ball" and wins the ... Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
Taglines:
It started out like any other day! See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
26 June 1936 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A Cidade do Pecado See more »Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA See more »Box Office
Budget:
$1,300,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1Did You Know?
Trivia
The comment that Spencer Tracy makes about the "Rooney kid" is an ad-lib (watch Jeanette MacDonald's expression reacting to it). Tracy had worked with Mickey Rooney earlier that year in Riffraff and knew that director W.S. Van Dyke abhorred retakes, priding himself on bringing in productions fast and under budget - hence his nickname, "One-Take Woody". See more »Goofs
The earthquake actually occurred at 5:13 am. In the movie the timing appears to be in the late evening, not in the early morning. The prologue of the opening credits states the correct time of the earthquake: April 18, 1906 at 5:13 am but it is easy to understand any confusion since with the cinematography at the time, day for night shots were used in exterior sets and with model sets, so that the full impact of the earthquake in progress could be easily seen. Also, it took at least three days for the fire to be extinguished and with the one night shot in those sequences, it appears that the timing of events after the earthquake was much shorter than it actually was. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Blackie Norton: Well sister, what's your racket?
Mary Blake: I'm a singer!
Blackie Norton: Let's see your legs!
Mary Blake: I said, I'm a singer!
Blackie Norton: Alright, let's see your legs!
See more »
Soundtracks
"The Philippine Dance"(uncredited)
Written by Bob Carleton
Performed by The Golden Gate Trio at the Chickens Ball
See more »
You can't go wrong with the pairing of two of the great stars of Hollywood, Gable and Tracy......and the great star of the west coast, San Francisco. The role of Blackie Norton may be one of Gable's best, so cynical,so devil-may-care and just a little bit dangerous. Tracy play the understanding priest with his usual aplomb. As he told someone once "Don't ever let them catch you acting".
Gable's attraction to Jeanette McDonald is a little bit unbelievable. She really did belong with Jack Holt in this film......or better yet Nelson Eddy should have showed up at the last minute and swept her away with a song. Gable and McDonald don't mesh at all and there was not much chemistry between them although I must admit she is lovely. Be that as it may, the film is one of the best of Hollywood's mid-30's offerings. There is something for everyone; music, drama, comedy and the finale of the earthquake which is what we are waiting for. And what a spectacle it is!! It is very well done in those days before sophisticated special effects; with tumbling buildings, crashing walls and the inevitable fire. There are a couple of poignant scenes when the firefighters must blow up buildings and homes to control the fire thus destroying lifetimes of work and memories.
The ending is a little bit over the top as those who have lost their families and all that they own, joyously sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and march up the hill to view the destruction (I'm not sure I would be that upbeat)......but it is still effective. The fade to the modern day (1936) San Francisco is just the right ending note. I highly recommend this film, not only for the Gable/Tracy pairing but also for the general excellence of the production.