Sinclair Lewis's lengthy best seller get's a trimming in this under 80 minute film adaptation parodying the American Dream post World War 1. While it is a less than justifying translation it does allow two of the more dependable supporting players in 30 's movies Guy Kibee and Aline Mc Mahon to shine as leads.
Zenith realtor and booster George Babbitt is bullish on the land of opportunity he lives in. A bit of a braggart and blow hard he is nevertheless a popular figure in the community and among fellow lodge members. In moments of brief introspection he has his doubts about his pursuit of all things material attempting to get away from it all by going camping with a long time friend and dallying with a young client. His social climbing and chase for the almighty buck however get him involved in a corrupt land deal and he faces ruin.
Kibee's George Babbitt is an abrasively generous and sympathetic character whose ego is exploited by more devious and cynical types. His defense of his pal who shoots his nagging wife is noble but wrongheaded, the unsavory land deal more than just acceptable business practice. Kibee's non-threatening flustered stage demeanor negates any an all villainy though, his greatest guilt being pride and a touch of arrogance.
With it's slim running time Babbitt spends little time on the book's satiric and metaphorical possibilities with great swaths excised, leaving it up to George's flustered optimism and gullibility to carry the film and Kibee does not disappoint even if the choppy storyline does.
Zenith realtor and booster George Babbitt is bullish on the land of opportunity he lives in. A bit of a braggart and blow hard he is nevertheless a popular figure in the community and among fellow lodge members. In moments of brief introspection he has his doubts about his pursuit of all things material attempting to get away from it all by going camping with a long time friend and dallying with a young client. His social climbing and chase for the almighty buck however get him involved in a corrupt land deal and he faces ruin.
Kibee's George Babbitt is an abrasively generous and sympathetic character whose ego is exploited by more devious and cynical types. His defense of his pal who shoots his nagging wife is noble but wrongheaded, the unsavory land deal more than just acceptable business practice. Kibee's non-threatening flustered stage demeanor negates any an all villainy though, his greatest guilt being pride and a touch of arrogance.
With it's slim running time Babbitt spends little time on the book's satiric and metaphorical possibilities with great swaths excised, leaving it up to George's flustered optimism and gullibility to carry the film and Kibee does not disappoint even if the choppy storyline does.