Man's Castle (1933)

Bill takes Trina into his depression camp cabin. Later, just as he finds showgirl LaRue who will support him, Trina becomes pregnant.

Director:

Frank Borzage

Writers:

Jo Swerling (screenplay), Lawrence Hazard (from a play by)

Stars:

Spencer Tracy, Loretta Young, Marjorie Rambeau

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Spencer Tracy	...	Bill
Loretta Young	...	Trina
Marjorie Rambeau	...	Flossie
Glenda Farrell	...	Fay La Rue
Walter Connolly	...	Ira
Arthur Hohl	...	Bragg
Dickie Moore	...	Joey

Storyline

12 million Americans are out of work. Trina is homeless and hungry when Bill takes her under his wing, showing her a squatter's camp where she can live. She's soon in love with him, making a castle for him inside a shack; but he's bluff, gruff, and a "bindlestiff," a guy who can't stay put. When Trina tells Bill she's pregnant, he's ready to jump a freight train and move on, but first he wants to leave Trina with some money, so he partners up with Bragg, the camp's louse (who's been eyeing Trina), to rob a toy manufacturer. He's shot and the cops are closing in: does he have any options?

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Plot Keywords:

toy | love | freight train | thinness | starving | 

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Taglines:

THEY CLUNG DESPERATELY TO EACH OTHER in a world of shattered illusions (Print Ad- Daily Times, ((Beaver, Penna.)) 26 February 1934)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 1, 1941 with Spencer Tracy reprising his film role.

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Quotes

Flossie: [holding a gun] You ain't gonna squawk. . .for the simple reason, stiffs don't squawk.
Bragg: Flossie, don't point that at me. You're drunk.
Flossie: If somebody was to search the whole country. . .the whole world, they couldn't find two more useless, more no-good people than you and me.
Bragg: You wouldn't commit murder?
Flossie: Oh, this ain't murder. . . .This is just housecleanin'. Now now, Bragg, stop your shakin'. It won't hurt; you'll be where you belong. And, me. . .
Bragg: Flossie!
[she pulls the trigger]

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Connections

References Pick-up (1933)

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Soundtracks

Surprise!
Sung by Glenda Farrell

User Reviews

One of the essential Depression dramas

Unfortunately, this film has long been unavailable (as other posters have noted), but this is one of the essential dramas of the Great Depression, a lyrical and touching drama of love set in a shanty-town. It features performances by Spencer Tracy and Loretta Young that are just about the finest of their careers, and it's a surpassing example of how the director, Frank Borzage, was able to create an almost fairy-tale aura around elements of poverty, crime, and horrendous social inequity, which just proves that how truly romantic and spiritual his talents were. This film shows how love survives amidst squalor and desperate need, and it is totally life-affirming. This is a real masterpiece of the period, and is a movie that deserves to be more widely known.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Man's Castle

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min 69 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1