MGM's Ronald Colman version of Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" has more in common with the best of films, and less in common with the worst of films. Producer David O. Selznick guaranteed it a nice budget, which results in a some finely-edited incidental scenes. Every so often, you are startled by how well something is done - but, generally, the story goes through the motions. It is nice to see Mr. Colman perform the "Sydney Carton" role. The other leads do not work well with him, however. Colman's "Carton" is supposed to be identical in appearance to the "Charles Darnay" character played by Donald Woods. The two men are vaguely similar types, but Mr. Woods is a bigger, taller man; and, his youth makes Colman look a little old for the part. Elizabeth Allan (as Lucie) is pretty; she looks good with Woods, but has no little chemistry with Colman.
The film offered a grand supporting cast - all eligible for the first "Best Supporting" Oscar given, but none were nominated.
The best supporting actor almost looks to be Basil Rathbone, with his cruel depiction of French aristocracy; but, he doesn't appear much, and Mr. Rathbone could perform the part in his sleep. By the time he loses his tenuous sanity, fatherly Henry B. Walthall (as Alexandre Manette) really takes supporting actor honors; and, this was the last great character role for Mr. Walthall. For feminine honors, it's a battle between Edna May Oliver's wise-cracking English maid and Blanche Yurka's violently-knitting French peasant. They even have a supporting actress dogfight. Many admire Ms. Yurka's efforts, which are considerable; she chews the scenery and spits it out. Finally, by the time "The End" has come, it's very apparent this "Tale of Two Cities" has become a "Christmas Carol" - of course, as in the original work, Dickens would prefer the comparison to be more allegorical.
******* A Tale of Two Cities (12/25/35) Jack Conway ~ Ronald Colman, Donald Woods, Henry B. Walthall, Blanche Yurka
The film offered a grand supporting cast - all eligible for the first "Best Supporting" Oscar given, but none were nominated.
The best supporting actor almost looks to be Basil Rathbone, with his cruel depiction of French aristocracy; but, he doesn't appear much, and Mr. Rathbone could perform the part in his sleep. By the time he loses his tenuous sanity, fatherly Henry B. Walthall (as Alexandre Manette) really takes supporting actor honors; and, this was the last great character role for Mr. Walthall. For feminine honors, it's a battle between Edna May Oliver's wise-cracking English maid and Blanche Yurka's violently-knitting French peasant. They even have a supporting actress dogfight. Many admire Ms. Yurka's efforts, which are considerable; she chews the scenery and spits it out. Finally, by the time "The End" has come, it's very apparent this "Tale of Two Cities" has become a "Christmas Carol" - of course, as in the original work, Dickens would prefer the comparison to be more allegorical.
******* A Tale of Two Cities (12/25/35) Jack Conway ~ Ronald Colman, Donald Woods, Henry B. Walthall, Blanche Yurka