Thursday 20 April 2023

Red Dust (1932 Victor Fleming)

Terrific romantic drama set in rubber plantation. Clark Gable is good in gruff, he-man form as plantation owner. Initially dallies with (clearly) prostitute Jean Harlow, then changes his sights when newly married Mary Astor shows up - what a cad! And he and Harlow are clearly a much better match anyway - great chemistry in the second of their six pairings (they had appeared together in The Secret 6 a year earlier but not as star-costar). Great dialogue between these two - screenplay by John Mahin, additional dialogue from Donald Ogden Stewart (originally a play by Wilson Collison).

Rest of cast: Gene Raymond (husband), Donald Crisp, Tully Marshall, Forrester Harvey (The Invisible Man, Rebecca, Mrs Miniver), Willie Fung.

Photographed by Hal Rosson, edited by Blanche Sewell, art direction Cedric Gibbons. Music: none.

The way she calls him 'Fred' pre-dates a similar Howard Hawks thing. In fact with its isolated setting, macho men and a love triangle, it could be seen as an early version of Only Angels Have Wings.





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