SADIE MCKEE is very typical of Joan Crawford's films of the late 20s and 30s. As was usually the case, she plays a poor working girl who eventually makes it big....though in this case she seems far less set on wealth than her other films--it just "drops on her", so to speak.
The film begins with Joan as a maid in the home of a rich family whose son is Franchot Tone (who married Joan in real life). She likes Tone but also likes Gene Raymond. When she hears Tone bad-mouthing Raymond and saying Raymond was a bit of a scoundrel, Joan is quick to Raymond's defense. As a result of her blow up at Tone, she impulsively leaves her job and runs off to New York City--where she ultimately discovers Raymond really is a jerk! Oddly, instead of Joan and Tone patching up their differences, they continue to have a thorny relationship--even though you know down deep they care for each other. Much of the rest of the movie involves their on again/off again contact with each other. While most everyone in the audience knew that EVENTUALLY they'd make up and be together, I appreciated how the film placed so much plot in their way--things that made the most ordinary plot actually seem different. This complexity was generally very welcome, though the intervening marriage to Edward Arnold and her unflagging feelings for Raymond were a bit inexplicable.
For a long time, I have not particularly liked Joan Crawford's films--especially when she made so many formulaic films in the 20s and 30s involving a poor girl wanting to get rich. After a while, they all just seemed repetitive. However, despite this film also having such a theme, it is still a fine movie and has me re-thinking my attitude towards her. This film, while a bit of a soap opera, was exceptionally engaging and sure kept my interest. Plus, I've seen many of her films recently and have to admit that while not every film has been that great, her acting was usually very professional and very competent. In essence, I have gone from a "Crawford hater" to at least someone who respects her talent and has really enjoyed several of her films.
See this film and you'll see one of the better films of the era. Good writing, excellent acting and a humanity that surprised me about Crawford's character.
The film begins with Joan as a maid in the home of a rich family whose son is Franchot Tone (who married Joan in real life). She likes Tone but also likes Gene Raymond. When she hears Tone bad-mouthing Raymond and saying Raymond was a bit of a scoundrel, Joan is quick to Raymond's defense. As a result of her blow up at Tone, she impulsively leaves her job and runs off to New York City--where she ultimately discovers Raymond really is a jerk! Oddly, instead of Joan and Tone patching up their differences, they continue to have a thorny relationship--even though you know down deep they care for each other. Much of the rest of the movie involves their on again/off again contact with each other. While most everyone in the audience knew that EVENTUALLY they'd make up and be together, I appreciated how the film placed so much plot in their way--things that made the most ordinary plot actually seem different. This complexity was generally very welcome, though the intervening marriage to Edward Arnold and her unflagging feelings for Raymond were a bit inexplicable.
For a long time, I have not particularly liked Joan Crawford's films--especially when she made so many formulaic films in the 20s and 30s involving a poor girl wanting to get rich. After a while, they all just seemed repetitive. However, despite this film also having such a theme, it is still a fine movie and has me re-thinking my attitude towards her. This film, while a bit of a soap opera, was exceptionally engaging and sure kept my interest. Plus, I've seen many of her films recently and have to admit that while not every film has been that great, her acting was usually very professional and very competent. In essence, I have gone from a "Crawford hater" to at least someone who respects her talent and has really enjoyed several of her films.
See this film and you'll see one of the better films of the era. Good writing, excellent acting and a humanity that surprised me about Crawford's character.