And what a perfect example of a melodrama it is: completely engaging, brilliantly written, directed, photographed and acted. Although it's a melodrama, it's not one of those awful mushy over the top sentimental films which were about during this time. Being about the friendship of two 'alpha-males' it's definitely not going involve tears....although unless your heart is made of stone, you're likely to feel quite emotional towards the end!
In the 1930s a horrible genre of sickly sweet, tooth-rottingly over-sentimental motion picture existed: The Woman's Film. MANHATTAN MELODRAMA is a kind of Women's Film for men. It is about friendship. Without getting remotely mushy, this film beautifully conveys the genuine love (without any gay connotations) that two men can have for each other. It's superbly done and very addictive.
We start with a sort of prelude, a mini-melodrama itself showing our two protagonists when they were children. The fire on the boat! It comes from nowhere, Just as you're relaxing and settling down to watch this, thinking that you'll be gently introduced to these passengers, suddenly it's on fire. You were not expecting this - people are drowning, people of burning, it's mayhem. It is however magnificently filmed mayhem. These couple of minutes are made in the style of a montage from German expressionist cinema of the 1920s and is jaw-droppingly great.
Neither Clarke Gable or William Powell have ever acted better than in this. Whilst still being totally believable, Clarke Gable and William Powell are both more Clarke Gable and William Powell than you'd think possible. Without MGM's high production standards and superb direction, these characters might have become parodies of themselves but although nobody could be as macho and charming as Gable or have as much integrity and sophistication as Powell both are utterly real. Not only do you know for sure that these two are best friends, they're people you feel you know as well.
In the 1930s a horrible genre of sickly sweet, tooth-rottingly over-sentimental motion picture existed: The Woman's Film. MANHATTAN MELODRAMA is a kind of Women's Film for men. It is about friendship. Without getting remotely mushy, this film beautifully conveys the genuine love (without any gay connotations) that two men can have for each other. It's superbly done and very addictive.
We start with a sort of prelude, a mini-melodrama itself showing our two protagonists when they were children. The fire on the boat! It comes from nowhere, Just as you're relaxing and settling down to watch this, thinking that you'll be gently introduced to these passengers, suddenly it's on fire. You were not expecting this - people are drowning, people of burning, it's mayhem. It is however magnificently filmed mayhem. These couple of minutes are made in the style of a montage from German expressionist cinema of the 1920s and is jaw-droppingly great.
Neither Clarke Gable or William Powell have ever acted better than in this. Whilst still being totally believable, Clarke Gable and William Powell are both more Clarke Gable and William Powell than you'd think possible. Without MGM's high production standards and superb direction, these characters might have become parodies of themselves but although nobody could be as macho and charming as Gable or have as much integrity and sophistication as Powell both are utterly real. Not only do you know for sure that these two are best friends, they're people you feel you know as well.