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Dodsworth

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7.1/10 • 135

1936-09-231h 41m

DramaRomance

Here is a picture that was marked for greatness before it was ever screened!

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

Directors
William Wyler
Editors
Daniel Mandell

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Walter Huston

    Walter Huston

    Sam Dodsworth

  2. Ruth Chatterton

    Ruth Chatterton

    Fran Dodsworth

  3. Paul Lukas

    Paul Lukas

    Arnold Iselin

  4. Mary Astor

    Mary Astor

    Edith Cortright

  5. David Niven

    David Niven

    Captain Clyde Lockert

  6. Gregory Gaye

    Gregory Gaye

    Baron Kurt Von Obersdorf

  7. Maria Ouspenskaya

    Maria Ouspenskaya

    Baroness Von Obersdorf

  8. Odette Myrtil

    Odette Myrtil

    Renée de Penable

  9. Spring Byington

    Spring Byington

    Matey Pearson

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 19, 2022

7/10

The title of this doesn't help it much: it sounds like it ought to be about a butler in a grand old English stately home but Walter Huston ("Sam") is superb, as the millionaire motor car industrialist who sells his company and sets off with wife "Fran" (Ruth Chatteron) to "do" Europe. Even on the boat, where she meets the rather suave, dapper David Niven ("Capt. Lockert") it starts to become clear that their marriage, though on the face of it loving, is not strong. When they get to Paris and she meets Paul Lukas ("Iselin") that becomes even more evident and soon "Sam" is doing all he can to keep the wife he loves from divorcing him. This is quite a slow burn of a story; but it isn't dull. The rapport between the two stars is tenderly and honestly performed; she the slightly younger woman looking for what ever life (and wealth) can offer; him the more settled man who wants to get back to family, home and hearth. There are a few gentle twists to the story and the ending, I found to be somewhat vindicating. This has made the transition from stage to screen well; William Wyler has managed to lose much the rigidity theatrical cross-overs can present on the big screen, and there is a nice cameo from Maria Ouspenskaya towards the end that really does put a fly in the ointment.

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
husband wife relationshipsoulmatessnobretirementindustrialistdriftinglove affairdivorceeolder woman younger man relationshipselfishnessocean voyagedrifting apartstarting overflingmarital crisiseurope vacationwealthy couplemiddle aged couplekindred spiritchance reunion