San Francisco (film)

Infobox Film
name = San Francisco


caption = original film poster
director = Woody Van Dyke
producer = John Emerson
Bernard H. Hyman
writer = Robert E. Hopkins
starring = Clark Gable
Jeanette MacDonald
Spencer Tracy
music = Walter Jurmann
Bronislaw Kaper
Edward Ward
cinematography = Oliver T. Marsh
distributor = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
runtime =115 min
language = English
country = USA
imdb_id = 0028216

The April 18, 1906 San Francisco earthquake is the historical background for "San Francisco", 1936's top grossing movie [1936_in_film] starring Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy. The then very popular singing of MacDonald helped make this film a hit, coming on the heels of her other 1936 blockbuster (Rose Marie). Tracy knocked Gable down during a boxing match in the film, aiding his career. The film was directed by Woody Van Dyke. The Internet Movie Database reports that famous silent film directors D. W. Griffith and Erich Von Stroheim contributed to the screenplay without screen credit. Griffith also helped direct the famous earthquake sequence. [, page 165]

Plot summary

"Blackie" Norton (Clark Gable), a gambling hall tycoon in the notorious Barbary Coast, hires a promising, but impoverished classically-trained singer from Colorado, Mary Blake (Jeanette MacDonald). She becomes a star attraction, and a romance develops between them. Complications arise when she is offered an opportunity to sing in the opera. Meanwhile, Blackie's childhood friend, Roman Catholic Father Tim Mullen (Spencer Tracy), keeps trying to reform him, while the other nightclub owners attempt to convince Norton to run for the City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors in order to protect their crooked interests.

Despite Father Tim's best efforts, Blackie remains a jaunty Barbary Coast atheist until the famous 1906 earthquake devastates the city. He "finds God" upon discovering that Mary survived.

Production

The earthquake montage sequence was created by montage expert Slavko Vorkapich. The Barbary Coast barroom set was built on a special platform that rocked and shook to simulate the historical temblor. Similar sets were built for the 1974 disaster film "Earthquake", such as the office set belonging to the character played by Lorne Greene, and the "Remy" and "Stuart" characters' bedroom (the characters were played by Ava Gardner and Charlton Heston, respectively).

Music

The title song, composed by Bronislaw Kaper with lyrics by Gus Kahn, is sung by Jeanette MacDonald a half-dozen times in the film, and becomes an anthem for the survivors of the earthquake. It is now a popular sentimental sing-along at public events such as the city's annual earthquake commemoration. It is one of two official city songs, along with "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." [ [http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/song.html sfmuseum.org] ] Years later, Judy Garland added the song to her concert repertoire, with a new introduction that starts, "I never will forget Jeanette MacDonald..."

:"It only takes a tiny corner of":"This great big world to make the place we love;":"My home upon the hill, I find I love you still,":"I've been away, but now I'm back to tell you..."

:"San Francisco, open your golden gate":"You let no stranger wait outside your door.":"San Francisco, here is your wanderin' one":"Saying "I'll wander no more.":"Other places only make me love you best,":"Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west.":"San Francisco, welcome me home again;":"I'm coming home to go roaming no more!"

Awards and nominations

The film received an Oscar, for Best Sound, Recording - Douglas Shearer (M-G-M SSD)It was nominated for five others:
*Best Picture - John Emerson and Bernard H. Hyman, producers
*Best Actor in a Leading Role - Spencer Tracy
*Best Assistant Director - Joseph M. Newman
*Best Director - W.S. Van Dyke
*Best Writing, Original Story - Robert E. Hopkins

References

* Elisabeth Buxbaum: "Veronika, der Lenz ist da. Walter Jurmann – Ein Musiker zwischen den Welten und Zeiten". Mit einem Werkverzeichnis von Alexander Sieghardt. Edition Steinbauer, Wien 2006, ISBN 3-902494-18-2

External links

*imdb title|id=0028216|title=San Francisco
* [http://www.jeanettemacdonaldandnelsoneddy.com/films/jeanette/jm-sanfrancisco.htm San Francisco] at Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy: A Tribute