Dodsworth (1936)

A retired auto manufacturer and his wife take a long-planned European vacation only to find that they want very different things from life.

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Sinclair Lewis (novel), Sidney Howard (dramatisation)

Stars:

Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton, Paul Lukas

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

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

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:

middle age | reconciliation | divorce | zenith ohio | woman of the world | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German Italian

Release Date:

23 September 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Zeit der Liebe, Zeit des Abschieds

Filming Locations:

Goldwyn Studios, Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Samuel Goldwyn Company

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

David Niven later said he was "bloody miserable" working with William Wyler, whom he described as a "Jekyll and Hyde" and "a sonofabitch to work with." Although conceding Wyler could be "kind, fun and cozy" off the set, Niven said "he became a fiend the moment his bottom touched down in his director's chair." Wyler was not terribly impressed with Niven's talent, either, later noting that he was little more than "a sort of playboy around town." However, the director thought that since Niven was essentially playing himself on screen, he was perfect for the part of the charming cad Captain Lockert.

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Goofs

Arnold's position changes when he lights the cigarette while Fran reads the letter.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in One of the Hollywood Ten (2000)

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Soundtracks

La fille aux cheveux de lin
(uncredited)
Written by Claude Debussy
Heard when Fran burns Sam's letter

User Reviews

The Modernity Of A Vintage Classic

It is astonishing to think that this Sinclar Lewis film adaptation was made in 1936! Walter Huston is sensational as the retiring tycoon. He is married to Fran, played deliciously by Ruth Chatterton (a character who seems an early version of Meryl Streep's in "Death Becomes Her") Her fear of aging is beautifully drawn and embarrassing to witness. The rich American hicks in Europe are described with humor and compassion but above all with an uncanny understanding of the subject. I loved the structure of the phone calls from Vienna to Naples at a crucial moment in the protagonists future lives. Mary Astor is another standout in a performance of such modernity that one has to remind oneself that this was in fact shot in 1936. The director, William Wyler, was yet to give us some other milestones from "Jezabel" and "The Littlle Foxes" to "Roman Holiday", "Funny Girl" and "Ben Hur" For film lovers this is a must!