This was Ruth Chatterton's finest performance and proof that there wasn't a genre she couldn't do superbly. First she conquered Broadway, then in the early days of sound she was bought to Hollywood where she starred in a couple of sparkling comedies before finding popularity in sudsy mother love films such as "Sarah and Son" and "Anybody's Woman" etc. She then starred in "Female" (1933) about a woman in a man's world - also "The Rich are Always With Us" put her in a contemporary setting. Who would have thought that her best remembered role, (and according to Mary Astor a part she loathed) would be as vain, frivolous, trying to hold on to vanishing youth Fran - her least typical role. It did not have the makings of "hot" box office - it dealt with marital problems associated with middle age, but it was made with taste and integrity and excellent work from the three principals.

Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston),general manager and founder of Dodsworth Motors in Zenith City, is retiring. He has many regrets but has bowed under the pressure of his wife's demands. She wants to see the world and experience life - she feels she has been a perfect wife, mother and hostess for too many years. They take a cruise to Europe and at first their small town origins (or "hickness" as Sam says) shines through - dressing too formally for dinner etc, but they find they have different interests. Fran fits straight into the ship's social life, Sam wants to learn how to enjoy leisure.

One night, on deck, Sam meets Edith (Mary Astor) an American divorcée expat living in Italy. He finds her a sympathetic and intelligent woman who understands his dreams. Fran is in the middle of a shipboard romance with Captain Lockhart (David Niven) - he wants to take it further but Fran is confused about her emotions. She then demands to go to Paris - she feels she has made a fool of herself about the British Captain and can't face England. While in Paris Sam becomes reacquainted with Edith. She meets Fran and tries to advise her against her friend- ship with financier, Arnold Iselin (Paul Lukas),her next conquest.

"You're simply rushing at old age Sam and I'm not ready for that yet"!!! Sam decides to go back to Zenith - Fran has already signed a lease to a chalet in Switzerland (she has neglected to tell Sam) but back home Sam finds it hard to function without Fran. The cable he sends her asking her to return home is answered in the negative. He decides to have Iselin tailed and goes to France for a showdown. Although Fran begs his forgiveness, she cannot reconcile herself to growing old. They become grandparents but Fran refuses to accept it - after all she has told her European friends that she is 35!!!!

This is an extraordinary film about aging and trying to cling onto lost youth. Ruth Chatterton is amazing as the dizzy, shallow and ultimately tragic Fran. Walter Huston is absolutely flawless as Sam Dodsworth and Mary Astor brings tranquility and dignity to her role as the understanding Edith. John Payne is also in the cast as Sam's son-in-law Harry McKee.

Highly, Highly Recommended.

Some years ago, I read a short piece in TV Guide by the critic and screenwriter Jay Cocks, in which he listed ten 'great, underrated films'. One which I had never heard of before was Dodsworth.I trust Jays taste in films, so i decided to take a lot at it. I promptly saw it on Video and was enthralled.Once more, William Wyler reveals why he has to be ranked among the great Hollywood directors. Dodsworth is that rarity, a film for adult people. In addition, it boasts a literate script, fine acting by an superb cast, and an very fine design. One of the favorite themes of the fiction of Henry James,. the conflict between American innocence and European sophistication, is here explored with a concision and an empathy James only occasionally managed. In addition, the film is a profoundly moving love story. One can only wonder why this exquisite movie was not even nominated for the AFI list of great American films.

It's amazing that nowadays, so few people have heard of this movie. Dodsworth is probably one of the very best films of the 1930s but has somehow remained in obscurity. So why is the film so great? Well, the bottom line is acting and writing--you just can't get much better. Walter Huston is simply at his best and Sinclair Lewis' story is solid and engaging throughout and really seems to be about real people--not 1930s Hollywood's vision of reality.

The story begins with our title character selling off his company and retiring to a life of wealth and relaxation. What makes the story so interesting is that while despite his lifetime of hard work, he has remained a very decent man. And, despite his decency, his family (especially his wife) has chosen to run wild with this new affluence--forgetting their values along the way. I particularly liked how Dodsworth tried so hard to understand his wife throughout the movie until he ultimately must accept that she is beyond redemption. This entire plot is truly unique and adult, and I appreciate the risks it takes.