Although this was Gable's return to the movies after World War II, it didn't feel like a post-war film. And that may have been the problem. Gable was back and Garson got him, but not many seemed to care. So much of the world had changed, yet some of the scenes here (such as the early bar room brawl) seemed like something you would have seen in a film from the thirties, not the later forties.
Greer Garson, long one of my very favorite actresses, doesn't even show up in the film until 25 minutes into it. That makes sense in terms of the story, but it's quite odd. And, with the bitterness evident in the first meeting between seaman Gable and librarian Garson (particularly on the part of Garson...played to the hilt), it seems totally illogical that a romance would develop. Just as illogical as Greer Garson stealing chickens...and why exactly did they steal 3 chickens for a meal to feed 3 people? And why didn't the chickens squawk when they were hiding from the farmer who was chasing them? An interesting feature of the film was Thomas Mitchell's character's obsession with sin and the loss of his soul.
It's also interesting to see some of the characters in this film who are not playing their usual roles.
And, BTW, very low production standards...about the fakest background shots you'll ever see! A very disappointing film. I love Garson. I love Gable. But not together and not in a film with this plot.
Greer Garson, long one of my very favorite actresses, doesn't even show up in the film until 25 minutes into it. That makes sense in terms of the story, but it's quite odd. And, with the bitterness evident in the first meeting between seaman Gable and librarian Garson (particularly on the part of Garson...played to the hilt), it seems totally illogical that a romance would develop. Just as illogical as Greer Garson stealing chickens...and why exactly did they steal 3 chickens for a meal to feed 3 people? And why didn't the chickens squawk when they were hiding from the farmer who was chasing them? An interesting feature of the film was Thomas Mitchell's character's obsession with sin and the loss of his soul.
It's also interesting to see some of the characters in this film who are not playing their usual roles.
And, BTW, very low production standards...about the fakest background shots you'll ever see! A very disappointing film. I love Garson. I love Gable. But not together and not in a film with this plot.