Everything about San Francisco Film totally explained
The
April 18,
1906 San Francisco earthquake is the historical background for
San Francisco, a
1936 movie romance film starring
Clark Gable,
Jeannette MacDonald, and
Spencer Tracy. The then very popular singing of MacDonald helped make this film a hit. Tracy knocked Gable down during a boxing match in the film, aiding his career. The film was directed by
Woody Van Dyke. The
Internet Movie Database reports that famous
silent film directors
D. W. Griffith and
Erich Von Stroheim contributed to the scrennplay without screen credit.
Plot summary
"Blackie" Norton (Clark Gable), a gambling hall tycoon in the notorious
Barbary Coast, hires a promising, but impoverished classically-trained singer from Colorado, Mary Blake (Jeanette MacDonald). She becomes a star attraction, and a romance develops between them. Complications arise when she's offered an opportunity to sing in the opera. Meanwhile, Blackie's childhood friend,
Roman Catholic Father Tim Mullen (Spencer Tracy), keeps trying to reform him, while the other nightclub owners attempt to convince Norton to run for the
City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors in order to protect their crooked interests.
Despite Father Tim's best efforts, Blackie remains a jaunty Barbary Coast atheist until the famous 1906 earthquake devastates the city. He "finds God" upon discovering that Mary survived.
Production
The earthquake montage sequence was created by montage expert
Slavko Vorkapich. The Barbary Coast barroom set was built on a special platform that rocked and shook to simulate the historical temblor. Similar sets were built for the 1974 disaster film
Earthquake, such as the office set belonging to the character played by Lorne Greene, and the 'Remy' and 'Stuart' character's bedroom, played by Ava Gardner and Charlton Heston, respectively).
Music
The title song, composed by
Bronislaw Kaper with lyrics by
Gus Kahn, is sung by Jeanette MacDonald a half-dozen times in the film, and becomes an anthem for the survivors of the earthquake. It is now a popular sentimental sing-along at public events such as the city's annual earthquake commemoration. It is one of two official city songs, along with "
I Left My Heart In San Francisco." Years later,
Judy Garland added the song to her concert repertoire, with a new introduction that starts, "I never will forget Jeanette MacDonald..."
» It only takes a tiny corner of
This great big world to make the place we love; » My home upon the hill, I find I love you still,
I've been away, but now I'm back to tell you...
» San Francisco, open your golden gate
You let no stranger wait outside your door. » San Francisco, here's your wanderin' one
Saying "I'll wander no more." » Other places only make me love you best,
Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west. » San Francisco, welcome me home again;
I'm coming home to go roaming no more!
Awards and nominations
The film received an
Oscar, for Best Sound, Recording -
Douglas Shearer (M-G-M SSD)
It was nominated for five others:
Further Information
Get more info on 'San Francisco Film'.
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