JohnHowardReid Copyright 22 June 1936 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. A W. S. Van Dyke production. New York opening at the Capitol, 26 June 1936. U.S. release: 25 June 1936. Australian release: 19 August 1936. 12 reels. 115 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Out-of-work singer (MacDonald) is given a job by a surly Barbary Coast saloon-keeper (Gable) who objects to her leaving his employ to take a principal role in grand opera, sponsored by the aristocratic Jack Burley (Holt).NOTES: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 1936 award for Sound Recording went to Douglas Shearer, defeating Banjo On My Knee, The Charge of the Light Brigade, Dodswortb, General Spanky, Mr Deeds Goes To Town, The Texas Rangers, That Girl From Paris and Three Smart Girls.Also nominated for Best Picture (The Great Ziegfeld), Best Actor, Spencer Tracy (Paul Muni in The Story of Louis Pasteur), Directing (Frank Capra for Mr Deeds Goes To Town), Assistant Director (Jack Sullivan for The Charge of the Light Brigade), Original Story (The Story of Louis Pasteur).Best Picture of 1936 — Photoplay Gold Medal Award. Number 4 on the annual Film Daily poll of U.S. film critics. The top-grossing picture of 1936 in the U.S.A. and Canada. MGM's top-grossing picture (over $5 million) of the 1930s.COMMENT: From the moment the lion roars and we start in on the ornate roller title while Ward's glorious arrangements of "San Francisco" and "Would You" are deftly brought up on the sound track, San Francisco strikes an emotional high that continues right to "The End" title. The lavishly staged and fluidly directed scenes of New Year revelry at the opening are capped by immediate action and suspense as Gable races to a fire. A clever tracking shot soon after has him brushing MacDonald aside on his way to his club. Few films so adroitly introduce both their leading characters in a flurry of such frantic opening activity. MacDonald is superbly photographed, and no-one (not even Fred Astaire) can wear a top hat and tails with such elegance and style as Clark Gable. And if you think these few opening minutes are exciting, wait till you see the rest of the movie! Unlike many modern pictures in which a thin story is served up as an excuse for an over-indulgence in entertainment-defeating special effects, "San Francisco" has a strong story with solidly interesting characters with whom we become so involved that the climax spurs our interest in their fate. Spectacularly thrilling as it is, the earthquake is merely an added tension to a plot of already powerful, super-gripping suspense.

Eesto1 I have never placed a review prior to this one, but i feel compelled to do so. This movie had such promised and I was looking forward to watching this movies based on the reviews I read, but I was disappointed. I do think that Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy were very good. On the other hand Jeannette MacDonald was painful...I mean really that singing...it just goes right through you. I simply could not stand her screeching (that is what it sounded like to me). I feel like I am being overly generous by giving this a 4...it is only due to Gable and Tracy. So if you do not like opera you might want to stay away...I wish I had.

wes-connors In 1906 San Francisco, sinful Clark Gable (as Blackie Norton) runs both his "Paradise" saloon and a mayoral campaign. For the former, he hires soprano Jeanette MacDonald (as Mary Blake). Despite their differences, the two fall in love. Gable receives prayers from former boyhood pal Spencer Tracy (as Tim Mullin). Father Tracy calls San Francisco, "The most godless city in America." Gable and Tracy remained best friends, although Gable grew up to be an atheist alcohol pusher, and Mr. Tracy became a priest.MGM's dramatic musical depends upon your appreciation of MacDonald's glass-shattering singing style, since she handles nearly all of the vocalizing. Mismatched stars Gable and MacDonald were big box office. The film's big hit was the excellent "Would You?" which was introduced to radio listeners by none other than Bing Crosby; oddly, his version charted at a lowly #20 while versions sung by Joe Sudy (#4) and Johnny McKeever (#5) competed for the bigger sales. Of course, the exceptional title song was also a hit."San Francisco" attracted much award attention. It was the "Best Picture" of the year according to "Photoplay", finished high at #4 in the annual "Film Daily" poll, and made the "Academy Awards" top ten. The "Academy Awards" polled W.S. Van Dyke as the #2 "Best Director" of the year, just behind winner Frank Capra (for "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town"). There were six "Oscar" considerations in all, including a nomination for Tracy in the "Best Actor" category, although his is quite clearly a supporting performance.This is a film which necessitates two user ratings from me: *** (3 stars) for the God-awful stupidity occurring before the quake, and ********* (9 stars) for the exceptionally well made earthquake and aftermath, averaging out to…****** San Francisco (6/26/36) W.S. Van Dyke ~ Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, Spencer Tracy, Jack Holt

scw1217 I watched this film to see the depiction of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, sans computer effects. I agreed with the review I had read, that it was really well done. Certainly, the depiction of the devastation, all the people wandering about, was effective.The story line was easy enough to follow. I was cheering for Clark Gable's character throughout. Not sure how great I thought his acting was, compared to other films from that era, but he was dashing enough. My biggest complaint was the singing of Jeanette MacDonald's character. Not my taste at all and rather on the hard-to-hear side towards the end.I could see it coming that he'd turn to God at the end, after all his denials. But I liked that part just the same.This film is well worth watching, especially for the effects!