If you liked seeing offscreen buddies Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy in San Francisco, you'll be anxious to rent Boom Town, a quasi-drama about two pals in love with the same woman. Claudette Colbert has a far less important role than the two men's friendship, but since their friendship isn't that great to begin with, that should tell you a little about the movie. Clark is a smooth talker who often gets into jams Spence has to clean up. For example, he has the idea of stealing oil drilling equipment from Frank Morgan so he and Spence can get rich quick. Then, after they do strike oil, Clark continues his wild ways while Spence looks towards settling down. He sends for his girl. Claudette, but before he has time to meet her at the station, Clark has literally talked her into marrying him instead! How can they still be friends after that?
Throughout the rest of the movie, the audience gets to know Clark as more and more of an irresponsible jerk. He treats Claudette badly, and Spence resents him. Hedy Lamarr costars as the other woman, and it's just as easy to dislike her as it is to dislike Clark. I'm just too much of a Claudette fan for my own good, and if she gets treated badly in a movie, I'm probably not going to like it.
Throughout the rest of the movie, the audience gets to know Clark as more and more of an irresponsible jerk. He treats Claudette badly, and Spence resents him. Hedy Lamarr costars as the other woman, and it's just as easy to dislike her as it is to dislike Clark. I'm just too much of a Claudette fan for my own good, and if she gets treated badly in a movie, I'm probably not going to like it.