Watch San Francisco
- NR
- 1936
- 1 hr 55 min
-
7.1 (6,190)
San Francisco is a 1936 American musical-drama film directed by W.S. Van Dyke and starring Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy. The movie was a huge commercial success and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film's plot centers around a saloon owner named Blackie Norton (Clark Gable) and a young singer named Mary Blake (Jeanette MacDonald). Blackie is a successful businessman who owns a popular saloon in San Francisco's Barbary Coast neighborhood. One day, he hears Mary singing at a local church and is immediately taken by her talent. He offers her a job at his saloon, and Mary accepts in order to make some money to send back home to her family.
As Mary begins to perform at the saloon, she becomes increasingly popular with the customers, including the wealthy Jack Burley (Jack Holt), who is attracted to her. However, Mary's dreams of becoming a successful opera singer clash with Blackie's expectations, and their relationship becomes strained. Meanwhile, a devastating earthquake strikes San Francisco, and the city is left in ruins.
Spencer Tracy plays Father Tim Mullin, a Catholic priest who helps rescue people amid the chaos and devastation. Father Tim is a man of deep faith and compassion, and he tries to bring comfort to those affected by the disaster. His efforts are hindered, however, by the corrupt city boss, Judge Blake (Arthur Byron), who is more concerned with maintaining his power and wealth than with helping the people of San Francisco.
Throughout the film, San Francisco is portrayed as a city of contrasts, with the wealthy living in luxury while the poor struggle to survive. The earthquake exposes the inequalities in the city, and the characters are forced to confront the harsh realities of life in San Francisco. As the city begins to rebuild, Mary, Blackie, and Father Tim each find their own paths forward, facing their own challenges and discovering their own strengths.
San Francisco is a powerful film that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. The performances by Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy are all excellent, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. The film's musical numbers, including the iconic song "San Francisco" sung by MacDonald, are also memorable and add to the emotional impact of the story.
Overall, San Francisco is a classic film that still resonates today, over 80 years after its release. Its message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity is as relevant as ever, and its portrayal of a city grappling with disaster and social strife remains haunting and powerful.
San Francisco is a 1936 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.