I'm only joking, of course, but what's with Clark Gable's diction in this film. Every time he takes on his official role as captain, he doesn't talk, he barks...a lot. Gable is a favorite of mine, but by the end of this film I wanted to cut his tongue out! And that's not the only negative here, in my view.
Some of our reviewers here are raving about the casting. I'm not. And we'll start with Jean Harlow. I have to say that I've never understood the attraction, other than her looks. And after watching her in this film...I still don't. To be honest, her character is too foolish to be believable, and it's amazing no one noticed that, even back in 1935. I feel the same about Wallace Beery.
I was pleased to see Lewis Stone here as a somewhat down and out third officer. It's a different kind of role for him -- as a coward who ultimately redeems himself; he does well with it.
Rosalind Russell is interesting as the surprise love interest. C. Aubrey Smith is enchanting as ever as the owner of the shipping line. Robert Benchley can be pretty amusing and clever; he's not here...he just plays a perpetual drunk. Interestingly, Hattie McDaniel -- a Gable favorite, and soon to be Mammy in GWTW, is here, but received no screen credit...and, as usual, plays a maid.
In terms of the plot, this film reminds me of the structure a lot of the more modern disaster films take. A couple of big name stars at the top of the billing, and then a series of subplots where we learn a little bit about each supporting character. The longer you watch the film, the more you realize that the story lines are more complex than you typically found in films from 1935...and that's what makes this film fairly satisfying. And, for 1935, the special effects (primarily the typhoon) are darned good! Recommended, with reservations.
Some of our reviewers here are raving about the casting. I'm not. And we'll start with Jean Harlow. I have to say that I've never understood the attraction, other than her looks. And after watching her in this film...I still don't. To be honest, her character is too foolish to be believable, and it's amazing no one noticed that, even back in 1935. I feel the same about Wallace Beery.
I was pleased to see Lewis Stone here as a somewhat down and out third officer. It's a different kind of role for him -- as a coward who ultimately redeems himself; he does well with it.
Rosalind Russell is interesting as the surprise love interest. C. Aubrey Smith is enchanting as ever as the owner of the shipping line. Robert Benchley can be pretty amusing and clever; he's not here...he just plays a perpetual drunk. Interestingly, Hattie McDaniel -- a Gable favorite, and soon to be Mammy in GWTW, is here, but received no screen credit...and, as usual, plays a maid.
In terms of the plot, this film reminds me of the structure a lot of the more modern disaster films take. A couple of big name stars at the top of the billing, and then a series of subplots where we learn a little bit about each supporting character. The longer you watch the film, the more you realize that the story lines are more complex than you typically found in films from 1935...and that's what makes this film fairly satisfying. And, for 1935, the special effects (primarily the typhoon) are darned good! Recommended, with reservations.