Gable carries this movie with sheer nerve and charisma. Spencer Tracy is good in a minor role, he gives his one-dimensional priest a second dimension. McDonald I could have done without. She doesn't seem to know what to do with Gable when they're in a scene together. She's got a nice voice, but her naif ingenue is just dull.
The best reason to watch this movie (aside from Gable's characteristic smirk) is for the earthquake scene, still impressive after a long evolution of special effects that have become grander and more expensive. We see all of the destruction that we need to in order to understand the story, and that's what counts.
There was a little too much hokum in the last 30 minutes (as Gable might say), and the portrayal of San Francisco as a modern-day Gomorrah is a little too much to take. But it's greatly entertaining despite the overt, head-bashing religious overtones.
The best reason to watch this movie (aside from Gable's characteristic smirk) is for the earthquake scene, still impressive after a long evolution of special effects that have become grander and more expensive. We see all of the destruction that we need to in order to understand the story, and that's what counts.
There was a little too much hokum in the last 30 minutes (as Gable might say), and the portrayal of San Francisco as a modern-day Gomorrah is a little too much to take. But it's greatly entertaining despite the overt, head-bashing religious overtones.