San Francisco (1936)

 This was an up and down film.

Of course it was formulaic, but Jeanette McDonald is a true treasure. Newly arrived to San Francisco, she's in desperate need for a job after her night club burned down so she turns to legendary Blackie Norton (Clark Gable) who is so well-liked, he's recruited to run for city supervisor to improve the buildings in the city. Still, while McDonald as Mary Blake is incredibly talented but her voice is not suited for a nightclub but rather an opera though Blackie is reluctant to let her go as he loves her though shows it oddly and doesn't let her truly choose for herself as he is incredibly manipulative. She ends up engaged to the opera representative Jack Burley (Jack Holt) who seems to be decent until he shuts down Blackie's club and arrests all the workers using some lame excuse to get the liquor license revoked so naturally, she's furious at him.

And then the earthquake happens and that's actually an especially good scene with Blackie running around afterward, trying to find Mary, which he finally does and he's delighted so they end up together, joining the survivors to re-build the city. 

The fourth main character is Father Tim Mullen (Spencer Tracy) who delivers the best performance of the film, albeit small, as a life-long friend of Blackie and finds a kindred spirit in Mary, who is a believer like him. Despite his small amount of screen time, he was nevertheless nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for this film. While he was great, his role was much too small for this category especially since this was the first year for the supporting character. 

Still, despite the numerous issues, the ending was truly excellent even though Mary shouldn't have gotten back together with Blackie (Jack was killed in the earthquake with all its falling buildings). Yet, he needed the win. She had already won without a man. Grade: B

Side Notes:

-Spencer Tracy described this film as the one where Gable got the girl but I got the Oscar nomination. True, on both counts.

-This film has a heavier religious undertone than most, with Blackie being grateful and thanks God for sparing Mary's life, somehow.

-Blackie is a wretched nickname, both now and then.

-When Mary first applies for a job and states that she's a singer, Blackie asks to see her legs and she once again states that she's a singer, in a great feminist moment.