FORSAKING ALL OTHERS
US, 1934, 83 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Montgomery, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Charles Butterworth, Billie Burke, Frances Drake, Rosalind Russell.
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke.
Forsaking All Others is based on a play which starred Tallulah Bankhead on Broadway. It has been adapted for the screen by Joseph Mankiewicz who, in the 1940s, was to win Academy Awards for A Letter to Three Wives and All About Eve.
This is an MGM farce, a dash of the screwball comedy of the period. The credits show Robert Montgomery, Joan Crawford and Clark Gable walking together – and the film is about an unwitting triangle. The three have been childhood friends. Joan Crawford is about to marry Robert Montgomery but he falls under the wiles of a girlfriend, played by Frances Drake. Joan is left at the altar. Clark Gable portrays their friend, a journalist who worked in Spain, devoted to Joan but not expressing his love for her. Eventually, Joan decides to marry Robert Montgomery – but this time, Gable declares his love, Joan realises the truth – and is prepared to jilt Montgomery.
The film has some witty lines, some delivered by Charles Butterworth as Gable’s friend. Billie Burke does her usual fluttering thing. Rosalind Russell has a small role – but is, as always, a strong presence. The film, however, relies on the presence of Joan Crawford, Clark Gable’s attractiveness, Robert Montgomery’s skill at light comedy.
1. A pleasant screwball comedy from the 1930s? MGM style?
2. The stars, their strong screen presence? The dialogue – and the touches of wit?
3. The title, the marriage ceremony – and the two episodes of jilting?
4. The friendship between Dill, Mary and Jeff? The childhood photo? The love of May for each of the men, her love for Dill? Not realising her love for Jeff? Dill and his marrying Mary, the preparations? Jeff and his arrival home, the plan to propose? His hearing the news?
5. Mary, her character, in love with Dill, the marriage preparations, the massage and everybody coming in? The dress, the parties? The flowers sent by Jeff? In the church, the marriage called off? Her stoic reaction? Going away, supported by Jeff, by Paula? Her reliance on Paula? The time passing, discussions with Jeff? Connie and the invitation to the party, her motives for the invitation, Mary’s motives for going, meeting Connie and the sharp exchanges? Meeting Dill? Mary and her still being in love with Dill? Time passing, his clash with Connie? Going out together, the car crash, the going to the house? The plan to marry? Mary ready, Jeff leaving, his declaration of love, the fact that it was he who sent the flowers? Her change of heart – and her leaving Dill?
6. Dill, the playboy, rich, smart repartee? In love with Mary? His fling with Connie, the bachelor party, Connie’s arriving, his eloping with her? The clashes with Connie? Meeting Mary at the party? Renewing the relationship, going out, the day in the country, the crash, walking? His being left high and dry?
7. Jeff, the Clark Gable style, coming from Spain, his friendship with Shemp, buying the flowers, the balloons, about to propose, learning the news? His standing back, prepared to be the best man? His drinking with Shemp? The news about Connie? His going to Mary, supporting her, listening to her? Going to the party? The clash with Connie? His hopes, his declaration of love, the happy ending?
8. The contribution of the minor characters, Shemp, the best friend, his repartee? Aunt Paula, her dithering, love for Mary? Connie, hard, her comeuppance? Eleanor and her smart remarks? Friendship with Shemp?
9. The popularity of this kind of screwball comedy in the 1930s? Later?
