Reviews

if you liked Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise, this is a lesser but still quite enjoyable version. Directed by Borzage and produced by Lubitsch, it is difficult to find but features a marvelous Dietrich and adorable Coop. The opening scenes quickly show you why Paris by Paramount was often considered better than Paris as itself. Charming lines like 'I'm going to put my hand in your pocket' were clever ways to overcome the Hays era constraints. The elegance of the era is well presented here combined with the straight up-ness of the 'good American' culture. There are also poignant references to the oncoming WWII through lines like 'Don't underestimate America, it's a big country', quite prescient since this was still 1936. If you like American Romantic Comedy of the 30's, you will enjoy this film...a shame they don't make 'em like this anymore.

Clash by Night contains strong acting from Stanwyck and for the 1950's, an intriguing investigation into duty and love. In fact, the women make this film, from Monroe in her first real appearance in a film to Stanwyck's dilemmas of marriage vs. freedom. Earl is played well, but the other men are a bit one dimensional. If you like Lang, you will like this film. Lang, as a director, does a wonderful job of painting an image. I adored the opening scene of the fishing boats, the seagulls, the seals, and the ocean. It is rare to see American films that allow this kind of atmospheric opening to a film, and it allowed me to settle into the mood of the Steinbeckian village of Monterey.