Pittsburgh (1942)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Lewis Seiler

Writers:

Kenneth Gamet (screenplay)
George Owen (story)

Release Date:

11 December 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

BIG! BRAWNY! BOLD! (1948 reissue poster)

Plot:

Charles 'Pittsburgh' Markham rides roughshod over his friends, his lovers, and his ideals in his trek...

Plot Keywords:

Steel | Beautiful Woman

Cast

Marlene Dietrich	...	Josie 'Hunky' Winters
Randolph Scott	...	John 'Cash' Evans
John Wayne	...	Charles 'Pittsburgh' Markham / Charles Ellis
Frank Craven	...	J.M. 'Doc' Powers
Louise Allbritton	...	Shannon Prentiss (Markham)
Shemp Howard	...	Shorty (the tailor)
Thomas Gomez	...	Joe Malneck (miners union president)
Ludwig Stössel	...	Dr. Grazlich (Doc Powers' partner)
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Morgan Prestiss (president, Prentiss Steel)
Paul Fix	...	Burnside (mine operator)
William Haade	...	Johnny (miner)
Charles Coleman	...	Mike (Markham's Butler)
Nestor Paiva	...	Barney, Cafe Proprietor

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Charles K. Feldman Group

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Although the bulk of the picture takes place in the 1920s, clothes and hair styles are strictly up-to-the-minute 1942, when the picture was made. Early in the film, when the participants are supposedly racing to a mine disaster in the Pittsburgh area circa 1920, stock footage of a chase through downtown Los Angeles circa 1942 is used.

Soundtrack:

Ladies from Paree

A Western in the East

No doubt things were confusing at the onset of World War Two, especially with one American defeat after another, yet political confusion is no reason to move Dodge City to Pennsylvania and call it Pittsburgh. This movie is a warmed-over western, pure and simple. All the ingredients of a formula plot are incorporated, including the ambition, the fist fight and the rich "cowgirl." The themes of redemption for the good of the nation and cooperation in steel production define the conversion of steel plants during the war. The only real question is whether an overly ambitious industrialist (John Wayne) can be corralled for the benefit of the nation, of labour, and of the company itself. The acting is fairly stiff and the plot predictable. One expects more from the film, but it just doesn't happen. Redemption is a common salvation for overly selfish industrialist, but there is little that can redeem this movie--it seems to be a remake of a remake of a remake. For anyone who likes westerns, this movie is ideal. How often does one find a western in the East?